The holiday season is my favorite time of year as it is a period filled with quality time with loved ones, reflection on past achievements, and anticipation for the year ahead. And in the health and wellness space, the industry offers much to anticipate in 2025.

The past five years have brought about a rapid and significant evolution in health and wellness. The pandemic accelerated remote work, increased focus on mental health, and sparked a shift towards flexible work arrangements. Additionally, a more holistic, preventative approach to wellness has emerged.

And let’s not forget AI and technology.  Wearable fitness trackers, remote health monitoring, nutrition-tracking apps, and mental health chatbots have revolutionized how we interact with wellness. Can you imagine a world without mindfulness apps like Calm or Headspace?!

As 2024 draws to a close, let’s explore the exciting health and wellness trends to watch out for that will shape 2025.

Mental Health continues to be a priority:

As technology continues to advance and social acceptance of mental health priorities, we can expect to see considerable progress in this area.

Mental Health Training, Apps, and Resources: Companies are taking a proactive approach to mental health, investing in first-aid training, virtual coaching, digital tools, and counseling services. These initiatives empower you and the employees to prioritize their mental well-being and build resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, and the American Psychological Association is a great resource from which to learn more. Read about it here: Resilience

Mental Health Days: Many organizations are implementing mental health days to encourage employees to prioritize their mental well-being. Taking a mental health day offers the chance to decompress, practice self-care, and avoid deeper mental health problems, such as anxiety.

Neurodiversity and Mental Health Awareness: There is a growing understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity, leading to increased focus on mental health conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. You can read more about the intersectionality of mental health and neurodiversity HERE.

Preventive Care and Longevity:

Early Disease Detection: Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), making healthy choices can help you avoid many chronic diseases and can even lower your risk of severe illness from some infectious diseases, such as the flu and COVID-19. However, healthy behaviors are only part of the picture. Getting routine preventive care can help you stay well and catch problems early. Preventative care examples:

    • Screening tests, such as mammograms, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
    • Vaccines.
    • Dental cleanings.
    • Eye exams.
    • Education and counseling to help you make informed health decisions.

Biomonitoring: In a McKinsey & Company study, one of the top trends is biomonitoring and wearables. Wearable biometric rings, for example, are now equipped with sensors that provide consumers with insights about their sleep quality through paired mobile apps. Continuous glucose monitors, which can be applied to the back of the user’s arm, provide insights about the user’s blood sugar levels. We expect the use of wearable devices to continue to grow as companies track a wider range of health indicators.

Blending Conventional and Alternative Medicine: Integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes to treat and heal the whole person. Practices like reiki, acupuncture, and functional medicine will become more popular as clients seek non-invasive, energy-based treatments to restore balance and wellness. The National Cancer Institute has an interesting article on alternative medicine for further reading. Read more about it HERE.

Sustainable Wellness Practices in the Workplace:  

Sustainable wellness practices in the workplace are important because they can significantly improve employee health, morale, and productivity by promoting healthy habits while also minimizing environmental impact.

Eco-Friendly Offices: Whether you are on a traditional 5-day work week or hybrid schedule, it is predicted that companies will prioritize sustainable office designs, promoting air quality, natural light, and green spaces. Leaf by Greenly provides 10 ways to create a more sustainable office space - read more about it here: 10 Ways to Create A More Sustainable Office Space

Ergonomic Assessments and Equipment: In optimizing the workplace, we will also be seeing companies providing ergonomic assessments and equipment to help employees maintain good posture and prevent work-related injuries.

Community Engagement: Volunteering and community service initiatives boost employee morale and foster a sense of purpose. The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine states that volunteer work has the most improvement on workplace well-being by elevating mood and providing a sense of community. Are you interested in volunteering outside the workplace but don’t know where to begin?  Volunteer Match is a good start.

Finally, my personal prediction is that we are going to see a rise in Gut Health education and access to digestive wellness apps like Lifesum. We are going to see companies offering gut-friendly food and snacks, like yogurt and kimchi, in the office. Additionally, employers may provide educational webinars that explore the science behind gut health and its influence on factors such as mood, energy levels and focus. Read more about gut health HERE.

It will be exciting to revisit these trends a year from now. By embracing these trends, we can foster healthier, happier, and more productive lives. I am eager to hear your insights and experiences, so feel free to connect with me using the contact information below.

If you'd like to learn more, please contact me at:

Jennifer Green
Director of Well-being
jgreen@venbrook.com 
949.652.6327