An appointment with the GP takes place via an e-consultation, women track their menstrual cycle with an ovulation app, and a smartwatch analyzes our night's sleep:we are no longer surprised. As a result of the coronavirus, many people became more aware of their health than ever before and digitization and technology gained momentum.
For now, the end of the pandemic does not seem in sight. Health and well-being will remain a priority in the coming year. What trends and habits will persist? After all, there is a growing awareness that we must learn to live with the virus, despite future lockdowns and restrictions being uncertain. The exclusive data from health and wellness platform Atida and its industry insight gives a clear picture of what to expect.
For two years, people around the world have isolated themselves from their loved ones, friends and colleagues. With the necessary impact on everyone's physical and mental health. Stress, sleep, (active) relaxation, diet, exercise, social relationships and emotions:all these factors influence our health and well-being. In the coming year, this self-care trend will continue in a holistic way that takes into account all factors of health and well-being, not just the physical. You will see more innovations in this area, such as smart wearables, AI chatbots and mental health apps such as 'Being' and 'Calm'. More and more often there is a holistic approach.
More and more attention is also being paid to prevention, instead of solving health problems in a curative and reactive way. The beauty and personal care industry will continue to develop with more focus on the care of the skin with different skin care habits and solutions. Retinols, AHAs, BHAs and Vitamin C solutions flew over the counter last year and will continue to do so in 2022 with brands such as Skinfy. From skin care products it's an easy step to care that works from the inside out, so you can expect an increasing focus on vitamins and nutritional supplements. Research by Atida showed that one in five Dutch people wanted to add supplements to their diet. This trend is expected to continue into 2022, especially as new research reveals more about the role of nutrients in fighting disease.
With the rise of online genetic studies and wearable devices, personalized healthcare is booming. There are already wearables such as the Apple Watch and the Oura Ring that measure your sleep rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature and provide feedback on your lifestyle and health. Consumers can also send their DNA and blood samples online to gain insight into, for example, possible genetic abnormalities and vitamin deficiency. It is now a multi-billion dollar market for consumers with the industry ahead of science and for the time being this will develop even further in the future.
Have your medicines and corona self-tests delivered to your home? That was almost unthinkable before the pandemic. Yet the long lines at the pharmacy are increasingly making way for the online drugstore. Cold or possibly corona? With the push of a button, you have a remedy or test at home, and thanks to the flash deliverers, sometimes even within ten minutes.
