From time to time, we have covered trends in wellness; with our new-found availability of information from the Global Wellness Institute, we expect to be covering wellness more often.

This Herman Trend Alert represents a taste of the wellness trends for 2017 and beyond that emerged from a recent worldwide meeting of 500-plus wellness experts who recently gathered in Kitzbühel, Austria, for the Global Wellness Summit.

Saunas go social

Experiencing a sauna used to be a very private and solo activity; that is changing. We’re seeing a reinvention of sauna with theatrical song and dance Sauna Aufguss events to shocking amphitheater saunas. It’s clearly not your Mom’s type of sauna anymore. Sweating is becoming spectacular and social.

Architecture to support wellness

There a serious shift in the architecture of living and working spaces to create buildings that support people’s health. Many aspects of the “built” environment are becoming reengineered from indoor air quality to sleep quality and specially designed acoustics. A change that is long overdue!

Silence

Few in the developed world would dispute that we live is a world of 24/7 connectedness. To help guests turn off and unplug, wellness destinations are embracing a dramatic approach: true silence. From “silent spas” to new silent and contemplative “wellness monasteries”, retreat locations are looking at how to support their guests in this “new” way. We’re even seeing “silent” restaurants, salons, gyms, stores, and airports.

Mental wellness becoming more important

Look for apps to track your mental state, as mental wellness becomes the trend to watch. Wellness destinations will bring in neuroscientists and psychotherapists, while meditation will become mainstream, as the benefits are more widely known.

Opportunities to express creativity center stage

Many years ago, our author Joyce visited Canyon Ranch in the Berkshire Mountains. There she had the opportunity create a sculpture, that reinforced her love of art and design. Wellness retreats worldwide are now focusing on art, music, literature, and dance, too, as they provide engaging experiences for their guests. Expect more concerts, painting classes, and how-to-create classes at hotels, wellness retreats, spas, and studios.

You can read the complete 55-page report from The Global Wellness Summit here.

© Copyright 1998-2017 by The Herman Group of Companies, Inc., all rights reserved. From 'The Herman Trend Alert,' by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. (800) 227-3566 or www.hermangroup.com    

The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group of Companies, Inc. Reprinted with permission.