Mindfulness practices and trends in the present day
Wellness Unwinding: How People and Brands are Navigating Self-Care in 2023
Over the past decade, the wellness wave has swept across society, promising tranquility and peace. Yet, with busy, anxious lives and limited resources, not everyone can fully embrace the active wellness trend. Here are creative ways people are crafting their personal wellness in 2023, along with brands that are hopping on board:
Lounging Leisure
Instead of fighting fatigue, why not succumb to it and revel in downtime? Trends like 'snuggle rotation' ( rotating sleeping positions) and 'movie marathon' (back-to-back film viewing sessions) acknowledge that rest is important, regardless of efficiency. This can be viewed as an expression of lounging leisure, a form of self-care that accepts exhaustion and makes the most of it.
Yet, caution should be exercised as prolonged inactivity can lead to health issues.
Brand Instance: La-Z-Boy's 'Lazy Living Revolution' advert champions the lounging lifestyle:
"We are embracing the lazy life, with no guilt or shame. We will lounge for as long as we please... Let the housework pile up, and the lawn go uncut." The brand even unveiled a new AI-powered 'Decliner' prototype, creating amusing excuses for those moments of unmotivation.
Petite Treats
There's a popular TikTok audio stating: 'A daily reminder to those shamed for spending on non-essentials, that if it keeps you going, it's a necessity.'
This sentiment echoes the idea of small pleasures - indulging in simple, inexpensive treats like coffee, candies or trinkets. When extravagant purchases are out of reach, these indulgences become significant sources of joy.
Brand Illustration: Starbucks iced coffee has become the ultimate mini indulgence, especially amid criticisms from older generations about frivolous spending on coffee and avocado toast. The brand has embraced this as a year-round guilty-not-guilty pleasure.
Brain Spaces
Feng shui, organizing, decluttering, minimalism - these are not new concepts. What is new, however, is the emphasis on customizing personal spaces to cater to one's unique sensory preferences. Design trends like 'happiness décor' (bright and uplifting colors) and 'sensory relaxing' ( soothing environments) center around personalizing the living space to boost happiness and well-being.
This shift reflects a growing understanding of neurodivergence and sensory processing, recognizing that not everyone perceives the world in the same way. Previously inaccessible interior improvements, such as DIY updates for renters or small spaces, are becoming more attainable, thanks to the rise of DIY influencers and accounts.
Brand Inception: Lick paint positions itself as a calm design brand, with earthy pastel hues and oceanic imagery. The focus is on the sensory impact of interior design, promoting it as a calming, therapeutic experience.
Self-Acceptance
Underlying these self-care trends is an embrace of self-acceptance and the understanding that it's okay to prioritize one's needs without comparison. People are learning to cater to their bodies and minds in the moment, without striving for perfection.
Brands and Self-Acceptance: Achieving a state of nothingness or minimal effort can be challenging for brands, as it requires rethinking conventional marketing strategies. However, when done correctly, these approaches can offer an unexpected sense of tranquility - something we all seek. After all, everyone wants a stress-free life.
Featured image by Samantha Copper from Architectural Digest
Enrichment Insights:
- Trends in Wellness: Mindfulness, somatic wellness, personalized health, and digital wellness solutions are growing areas of interest in the wellness industry.
- Brand Adaptations: Brands are incorporating technology, mindfulness, sustainability, and personalization into their offerings to meet the evolving needs of consumers.
- Somatic Wellness: Alternatives to traditional talk therapy, like breathwork, cold plunges, and sound baths, are gaining popularity as methods for emotional regulation.
- Personalized Health: There is a growing demand for personalized health and wellness tools that allow individuals to take control of their health without relying on generic advice.
- Mindfulness and Breathwork: Simple and effective techniques like the 4-7-8 breathing exercise are being adopted, especially in corporate settings, to manage stress and enhance focus.
- Digital Health Transformation: The wellness industry is adopting technology, including mobile apps and telehealth services, to improve access to wellness resources.
- Incorporation of Mindfulness: Brands are incorporating mindfulness practices, such as offering breathwork sessions or mindfulness exercises, to promote mental well-being among consumers.
- Sustainability Focus: Brands are shifting towards sustainable practices and products, recognizing the importance of environmental wellness in the broader wellness landscape.
- In the lounging leisure trend, La-Z-Boy's 'Lazy Living Revolution' campaign promotes embracing a leisurely lifestyle, encouraging individuals to lounge for as long as they please without guilt.
- Starbucks iced coffee has become a daily necessity for some, providing a small pleasure in the face of criticism about frivolous spending on coffee and avocado toast.
- Brands like Lick paint focus on the sensory impact of interior design, promoting earthy pastel hues and oceanic imagery as a means to create calming, therapeutic living spaces tailored to individual sensory preferences.
- A growing understanding of neurodivergence and sensory processing is reflected in the shift towards happiness décor and sensory relaxing design trends, which cater to unique sensory preferences and make previously inaccessible improvements more attainable.
