Top 5 Gamechangers from the 2021 Global Wellness Institute Trend Report
Earlier this week, the Global Wellness Institute released their annual trend report with nine predictions impacting the global wellness industry in the year to come. Here are the top five trends I see as being gamechangers, and topics we have our ABG eye on as we head into 2021.
1. Hollywood and the entertainment industries jump into wellness. Welcome to “Holly-well.”
We have seen a glimpse of the “celebrification” effect in the beverage alcohol category, and on a much grander scale, Hollywood and big media are getting its hands on the wellness industry.
Think big media investments in home media (such as Netflix screenings of wellness content) to John Legend recording custom tracks for headspace and Calm streamed through Spotify, celebrity investments in the wellness industry are going mainstream. Beyond licensing, “Hollywell” is co-creating content, big media is on board and celebrities are founding and leading companies, moving their personal brands beyond the entertainment space. As we have seen in beverage alcohol, this shift has the opportunity to move products, businesses and offerings from wellness away from the fringes and into the mainstream. Expect more mindful TV and possibly movies.
2. The Future of Immune Health: Stop Boosting, Start Balancing
Supplements, superfoods and deprivation approaches have been immensely popular for those looking to ”fast-track-hack" their health, but the growing body of evidence has, and will continue to show, that a conscious, individualized approach to physical and mental health and wellness is the path forward. Programs will prioritize metabolic health, personalized nutrition plans, and the role vital role of gut health to a strong immune system. Also, as scientific evidence on the benefits of regular and managed “positive stress” experiences on the body continue to mount, the popularity of activities such as high Intensity Interval training (HIIT), intermittent fasting and hot/cold therapies will continue to gain popularity. Read more about one of Cathy’s favorite hot/cold therapy tools, the Wim Hoff method, here.
3. Just Breathe.
FINALLY!! No longer the domain of the esoteric, the critical importance of conscious breathing as a tool for wellbeing is going mainstream. The evidence-based benefits of conscious breathing and harnessing the breath is being recognized for the incredibly powerful, status-changing, nervous system calming wonder “drug” that it is. It truly is the one thing in life that is FREE, available at any time, and can be used in any situation to bring your body to a centered state. Breath is a foundational technique being applied across the industry from apps, to music, biorhythm technology and environments all harnessing the immense power of the breath to manage homeostasis and the central nervous system. Max Strom would be proud.
4. Adding Color to Wellness
Much like the wine industry, the wellness industry has been evidently unfairly biased to inclusion of white professionals, with a narrative also slanted toward white middle and upper-class consumers. With the industry being increasingly called out, the welcome demand to change the narrative around the “whiteness of wellness” is here. Advocating for more black and brown representation in the health and wellbeing profession, making wellness more affordable and accessible in marginalized communities, including addressing nutrition and food security, and pushing for a more accessible and equitable industry are very welcome trends for 2021.
5. “The Year of the Travel Reset”
We all know travel has changed forever. The prediction is that when travel resumes, it will do so in a more limited capacity, and at a slower and more conscious pace. New requirements for moving around the world will require an approach that is more mindful, planned and intentional. From air travel protocols, to hotel check-In procedures and changes to on-premise dining options, travel will harness the power of technology, safety protocols and overall, it will take more check-ins to get from place to place. Furthermore, predictions are for the exponential growth of “conscious travel” where consumers will travel at a more relaxed pace, with more intention and conscious appreciation for the places they visit and what they leave behind. The impacts of having spent more than a year without the ability to travel will act as a reminder to savor the simple pleasures.
One other trend worth noting is that 2021 is a year where the medical healthcare and wellness industries finally start to work together. The last year’s events have clearly shown the stark reality of the challenges of maintaining health, and the puzzle of tools necessary to keep a handle on health and wellness at home and in the workplace - which for most of us, is now one and the same. Healthcare and wellness need each other.
My own hope is that this is a year where it will be less “woo-woo” to share your own personalized approaches to managing your life. Health subjects will be less taboo to discuss (hello menopause!) and we will find a kinder, way to support health and wellbeing, and more holistic ways to be in this business and in community. Finally it’s okay to get your stash of essential oils, gut microbiome treatment plans, “secret shakes”, and closeted health regimes out in the open.
You are safe here.
Namaste,
Beck
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
Herbal Teas and Tisanes Provide (Mostly) Caffeine-Free Comfort – Lauren Mowery for Wine Enthusiast.com
Wine writer Lauren Mowery turns her attention to infusions of the herbal kind in this terrific round-up.
The Pandemic Has Erased Entire Categories of Friendship – Amanda Mull for The Atlantic
There’s a reason you miss the people you didn’t even know that well.
How Covid-19 Could Change Workplace Technology - Wall Street Journal.com
Among the predictions: Tools to make it easier to work from home, new ways to measure performance and more virtual reality.
Restaurants staged nimble responses to Covid’s blows in 2020, but 6 years of growth were wiped away – CNBC.com
More than 110,000 eating and drinking establishments closed last year, either temporarily or for good, and 2.5 million restaurant industry jobs disappeared, according to a new report that tallies the devastating toll of the pandemic.
This Week's Reminder:
Keep these short meditations and inspirations bookmarked for when you need them.
A Steady Heart in Time of Coronavirus with Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach
In Part 1 of a two-part series, meditation teacher Jack Kornfield offers practices and teachings that can open us to loving awareness, and contribute to our well-being and the healing of our world.
Meet the Community!
Here we meet some of the talented folks who make our community and profession so dynamic.
Brett Vankoski, Vice President & Co-Founder, Latitude Beverage Company & 90+ Cellars (Massachusetts, USA)
Years in the Industry
I began working in the wine business in 2007. This was the year my first son was born. At the time, my wife was just starting her career as a pediatric emergency physician, and I was working for a large financial services company. Feeling uninspired by my work, and quite excited about a new baby, I left my job to focus on taking care of my son and to support my wife who was working long hours in the ER. I had also just completed Boston University’s Wine Studies program. Wanting to to put my newly acquired knowledge to use, I worked a few days a week at a local wine shop. Over the span of two months, I went from a six figure salary to $15 an hour stocking shelves. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
After a year and a half working in retail, I met Kevin Mehra who started Latitude Beverage Company. He explained to me his idea to purchase wine from wineries that had a track record of high ratings but were having some difficulty selling wine because of the recession. He wanted to create a wine label featuring high quality wines from all over the world that were priced for everyday drinking. He named the label "90+ Cellars". I told him I wanted to help. In the summer of 2009, the two of us travelled door-to-door peddling our new wine label. Twelve years later, our sales now amount to more than 500,000 cases annually.
It’s been an incredible journey, and a lot of hard work, late nights, weekends and travel. For many of us in the wine business, the energy and effort we put into our work goes well beyond the limits of rationality, but there is nothing else we’d rather do. Taking care of your body and mind is important if you want to last.
My Top 3 Challenges to Wellness:
Sleep, or rather the lack of it. Prioritizing enough sleep each week is important for your body and mind to function properly. The act of getting enough sleep may be different for everyone. Winston Churchill was known to take daily naps. He was also known for his love of champagne.
Finding time for yourself. Commitment to work and family can consume you entirely if you let it. For me, reserving a small moment each day to read a book unrelated to wine or kids helps a lot.
Being present. Learning how to simply “be” in the moment instead of always trying to “shape” the moment alleviates stress.
How I keep it together to stay well:
Regular Exercise. Without this I’m worthless. Somedays a half hour of yoga does the trick. Other days it might be a long run along the Charles River. I try to exercise outside as much as possible, often working out with my friends at the November Project.
Good Relationships. The therapist, Esther Perel, says, “The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives.” When I was younger, I used to put greater emphasis on developing my skills believing that it would bring about success and happiness. Later on, I learned that nurturing relationships in your personal and professional life is even more important, especially if you really want to be happy.
Laughter and Play. It’s perfectly okay for adults to behave like children sometimes.
What inspires Me:
Art, Poetry & Music. How could you not be inspired by Amanda Gorman’s recital of “The Hill We Climb”? The world desperately needs creativity, and creative people for inspiration.
Nature. Standing in the terraced vineyards of Switzerland’s Valais region looking out upon the snowcapped alps is awe-inspiring.
My Parents. As a father of two young-sh boys, I’m regularly inspired by the efforts of my parents to raise my bother and me. They made it look so easy. It was not easy.
My Wife. She is a wonderful doctor, loving mother, caring daughter, loyal sister, and most-importantly, forgiving wife.
My favorite quote.
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” - George Bernard Shaw
You can connect with Brett on Instagram at @goodtimesgreatwine and @90pluscellars
Let's Get Connected!
Sharing Events from our Global ABG Community.
A Pen2Paper Project : Batonnage Forum Collaboration
Tuesday February 2, 5pm PT | 8pm ET
A one hour creative journaling workshop with Pen2PaperProject designed to joyfully encourage pen to paper and a little healthy scribbling to benefit their amazing work for women in the industry.
The Next Big Sip. Les Dames d’Escoffier New York
Monday February 8, 2pm PT | 5pm ET
Topics to include sustainability and natural wine; the launch of Prosecco Rosé and hard seltzer; the growth of bourbon and other spirits, and of Rosé wine as a year-round beverage.
Art of the Toast Sponsored by Spiribam + Focus on Health
Thursday February 18, 5pm PT | 8pm ET
In this complimentary workshop, made possible by Spiribam and FOH Pen2PaperProject will lead a "pencil push" and raise a glass to what may be our most challenging times and why there is room to celebrate.
Engaging the Senses: An Exploration of Flavor and Sound
March 25, 2020 5pm PT | 8pm ET
Join wine pro Devin Parr and Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians Clare Semes and Kelly Zimba -- AKA Sonority Sisters – online, as they pair beautiful wines with beautiful music. This 90-minute tasting and music session will invite you to indulge in a total sensory experience that is a feast for the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Tickets in link.
Have an event that our ABG community would love? Email to events@abalancedglass.com for consideration.
Shop our ABG Merchandise
Hydration, safety and style are important so pop via the ABG shop for our handy merchandise .
The offerings are a small list of high quality items that we have road-tested and reviewed, and hope they help support your self-care, while staying hydrated, safe, and stylish! << Check it out here >>
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