Are you looking to improve your health in 2021? After a year where health was one of the most talked-about topics due to the pandemic, it’s set to be a movement this year. While you might have a set routine, mixing it up with some of the new trends emerging can help you get the most out of your efforts and keep it fresh.
When we think of improving health, it’s usually physical health and fitness that springs to mind. But mental health is moving to the forefront too and some of these trends embrace that. Creating a routine that balances all aspects of health can improve your overall wellbeing.
So, what trends should you give a try over the next few months?
1. Personalised home workouts
With gyms closed, it should come as no surprise that working out at home is becoming more popular. While you may have tried following a finesses class online during lockdown or created your own routine, it’s set to become more personalised. Think of it as having a personal trainer in your home. It could be a one-on-one online session with an expert, allowing them to tailor a class to you, or a fitness plan that’s created with you in mind for you stick to alone. It’s a process that can help you get more about of every workout you do.
2. Mindfulness breathing exercises
Mindfulness has been a growing trend in recent years. It’s a type of meditation that focuses on being aware of what you’re feeling and sensing in the moment. It can help both your mind and body to relax and release tension. After a stressful year, breathing exercises are set to become part of a daily routine for many. The practice can help you unwind, and it only takes a few minutes out of your day, perfect for when you want to relax and forget troubles.
3. Embracing the outdoors
Again, this trend is being driven by gyms closing and Covid-19. The current circumstances present a great opportunity for exercising outdoors, whether that’s a brisk walk through the local park or an endurance run. Getting fresh air and being around nature can deliver a mental health boost too. As social distancing restrictions are relaxed, expect to see groups exercising outdoors, including fitness classes, as people try to balance getting back to normal with being safe.
4. Digital detoxes
While detoxes to rejuvenate your body are a health fad, this year it’s set to have a more mindful and mental approach; doing away with digital distractions. For some, this will mean cutting out digital technology when not working, from checking social media to streaming the latest show, allowing them to focus on other areas of their life. For those who aren’t ready to throw away their smartphone, monitoring how they use their time and cutting back is an alternative way to embrace the trend.
5. Short, intense exercise
If you want to get the most out of your exercise without spending hours working out, this is a trend that could appeal to you. Short bursts of intense exercise, sometimes called HIIT, are set to grow in popularity. You may see classes or other activities cut down to just 30 minutes, but you’ll get a whole lot out of them. It can help fit getting healthier into busy schedules.
6. Learning more about biology
While we all know the basics of getting healthier, one trend this year will be to dig deeper. Looking at the impact of biology and what it can teach us about improving health, from what we eat to how we exercise, can mean you get more out of the steps you take, as well as allowing you to personalise wellness activities to suit your goals. If you enjoy delving into research and statistics, this is the ideal trend for you in 2021.
7. Getting more from wearables
Wearable technology has become a normal part of monitoring exercise. However, some big names are upping their game. The latest Apple Watch, for example, will have a pulse oximeter, which could be the first alert that you have asthma or are even coming down with something. With more data at your fingertips, new wearable technology can support the above goal of delving deeper into why and how things work.
