In 2017 it was a big year for gut health, fitness wearables and gluten-free food.
Then there’s obviously Yoga, which is still ever growing in popularity (I have to admit I’m a converter) and Pilates is more popular in 2017 than ever before.
Some trends thankfully didn’t make it mainstream (I’m looking at you Gwyneth Paltrow with your Jade eggs).
Now we are in full swing of 2018 I’m seeing a shift in health trends, from fad diets that fade away, to eco-friendly and purpose driven movements. Let’s hope they are here to stay.
Non-toxic beauty
Non-toxic beauty has gone mainstream and it’s here to stay. Australian’s are starting to demand better beauty products, ones that aren’t linked to cancer or are toxic for the ocean. Some governments have also stepped in, the UK and America both banned the use of plastic microbeads last year. Natural sunscreen is even gaining popularity, with claims that chemical sunscreens are toxic for reefs.
“The space for cleaner, safer, better beauty has grown and is only continuing to grow,”
‘What’s Driving The Billion Dollar Natural Beauty Movement’, Fast Company article 2017
Self-care
I believe mental health and self-care should be taken as seriously as physical health. According to the BlackDog Institute, one in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. Simply googling ‘mental health 2018’ comes up with over 51 million results; clearly it’s a hot topic. Thankfully, mental health taboos seem to be decreasing and mindfulness-based practices seem to be increasing in popularity.
“A new year can also be a good time to think about making your mental health a priority. Whether you’re an avid goal setter, or you consider January just another month of the year, everyone can benefit from being mindful of what’s going on upstairs.”
Here’s 5 Practical Tips For Making Mental Health A Focus In 2018
Adventure Outdoors
I am all for this; less gym time and more micro-adventures for better mental and physical health. It’s scientifically proven that being outdoors in nature is good for your health. There’s a Japanese term described as ‘forest-bathing’, which according to ABC News has been proven to drop blood pressure and stress levels.
Living in Australia, there is no excuse to not spend a day or two in nature away from the city. It can be as simple as turning off your phone and going for a walk outdoors…which is also free!
Meat Free Mondays…or life
The meat-free market is reported to be worth around $450 million with an annual growth of 6.6% according to Quick Bite magazine. Clearly Australians have clocked on to this conscious shift in food, since it’s the third largest vegan food market in the world. A reduction in meat consumption is better for health and the planet, with one-third of greenhouse gas emissions coming from agriculture according to Nature.
The choice is ultimately up to the consumer, meat reduction can be in the form of full blown vegan recipes or attempting meat-free Mondays.
Sugar (not so) high
Move aside gluten, sugar is the new evil now. Sugar has been directly linked to Alzheimer’s, anxiety and fatigue.
The best method for trying a sugar-free diet is reducing processed sugar by double-checking ingredients in everything from pasta sauce to yogurt. Australian author Sarah Wilson created ‘I Quit Sugar’, with lots of tips and tricks to quit sugar intake.
Natural fabrics
We all know that the fashion industry is environmentally damaging for many reasons, including the use of cheap synthetic fabric. Thankfully, sustainable fashion is gaining traction and therefore natural fabric is back in fashion.
We all know that the fashion industry is environmentally damaging for many reasons, including the use of cheap synthetic fabric. Thankfully, sustainable fashion is gaining traction and therefore natural fabric is back in fashion. Technology will play a huge part in this trend, for example the media went mad last year over Bolt Threads’ creation of sustainable silk in a lab with Stella McCartney. Natural fabric is also better for our skin with fabrics such as organic cotton containing no nasty chemicals.
“Sustainability will be at the centre of innovation in the fashion industry in 2018”
‘Fashion in 2018’, published by Business of Fashion
Images via Unsplash
