The world of wellness – Everything from Virtual Reality Fitness Workouts to Cold Plunging and Superfoods are on Trend for 2024
By Laura Goldstein
Quality of life through science and innovation with an increased focus on social connections are a priority in 2024. Here are several trends to experience.
1. High Tech Fitness: Science Fiction Meets Mixed Reality
Imagine practising yoga in the Himalayas or kickboxing on Mars – all from the comfort of your living room. Wearable technology advancements will play a crucial role in fitness regimes in 2024. Touted as “ the anywhere workout ” Supernatural the subscription-based VR fitness app by Within, pairs with Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 VR headset for immersive workouts. With the help of a virtual trainer, you can challenge yourself with high intensity exercise or meditate in your own world of calm. getsupernatural.com
Apple’s Vision Pro launching in the US in February (coming to Canada later in 2024,)
enables the wearer to watch movies, capture videos and multitask but fitness apps are still in the works including a yoga app that uses the device’s cameras to measure breathing.
Apple has already launched Fitness+ Strength, Core and Yoga for Golfers featuring and designed by pro golfer phenom, Rose Zhang and led by Canadian fitness and core trainer, Kyle Ardill. Available by subscription on Apple Watch, iPhone and Apple TV. apple.com/apple-vision- pro/
2. Backyard Saunas: A Barrel of Fun
While most of us are familiar with indoor saunas, a company based in Squamish is bringing barrel saunas to backyards across North America. “It’s such a unique shape that doesn’t compete with a home’s architecture or their property whether it’s in their backyard, chalet or cottage,” says co-founder and and engineer Kris Harris of Nootka Saunas. “Whether it’s a quiet healthy meditation part of your day or a social component with friends after dinner, backyard saunas have become increasingly popular. ”
Harris grew up in Ottawa with its bracing cold winters and often enjoyed a sauna then cold-plunging through a hole cut in lake ice at a friend’s cottage. But it was when he travelled to Finland, Sweden and Norway in 2016 that he decided to bring the wellness sauna culture to North America. “Traditionally saunas have been wood-burning but we also offer electric and the convenience of just pushing a button and 10 to 15 minutes later it’s at 90 degrees Celsius,” he explains. “ Whereas wood-burning takes a bit longer to get it stoked, they are both very safe (CSA approved) and the heat of an electric sauna is very comparable to a wood-burning one,” he adds.
Locally milled in Western Red Cedar, (they smell wonderful,) the cylindrical barrel shape that comes in 8-foot and 10-foot sizes, makes for excellent air flow and is easily installed on any level surface including gravel, crushed stone, wood decking or flagstone. nootkasaunas.com
3. Cold Plunging: Double Dipping Encouraged
Cold plunging is one of the biggest wellness trends for 2024. If you’re a fan of the reality TV show, Shark Tank, you might have watched Canadian IT entrepreneur, Robert Herjavec submerging in a tub of icy cold water designed by California company, PLUNGE (he did not go quietly!) but ended up investing $2.4 million in the start-up. Professional athletes are no strangers to cold water therapy and ice baths as it reduces muscle swelling, pain and stress by constricting the blood vessels. Popularity has now exploded among fitness enthusiasts in general. Cold plunge tubs are made of acrylic and fiberglass and come in different shapes and sizes. Temperature controlled, water can cool down to a chilly 2 degrees Celsius and the tub can be installed indoors or outdoors. PLUNGE tubs have a powerful cooling, sanitation and filtration system with continuous water circulation and easy set-up that plugs into an electrical socket. They have partnered with the Wellness Shop for distribution in Canada and are used in the outdoor Nordic Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver. wellnessshop.ca
4. Seaflora: Clean Beauty From Sea To Skin
According to Statista, Canadians are projected to spend $4.13 billion on self-care in 2024. Seaweed continues to trend this year and not just as a super food. Valued for its hydrating, anti aging properties, Vancouver Island’s thalasso skincare company, Seaflora, has been hailed as the world’s first USDA Certified Organic Skincare Line. Founded in 1998 by Sooke – based Diane Bernard, the company is overseen by her son, director, Adam Butcher and his wife, Chantelle Line, marketing manager. “ Seaweed comprises 80% in all our products including our new natural Sun Shield Facial Moisturizer,” says Line. “ Clean beauty is thriving and not just attention to what’s inside the bottle. By 2025 the luxury hotel group, Relais & Chateaux is going eco and doing away with all plastics in their hotel room amenities world-wide,” she explains. In anticipation of sustainable packaging, Seaflora has created a new shower and bath amenity dispenser, already popular at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and Drift Spa in Ucluelet. “It dispenses Seaflora products in a single model for hand soap, double for shampoo and conditioner or triple including body wash. All affix to the wall. They are available in a variety of colours but all ‘green,’ ” laughs Line. seafloraskincare.com
5. The 2024 Superfood Trends: Buckwheat, Cacao Jelly, Mushroom Infused Coffee
What do haskap berries, lion’s mane and cacao pulp have in common? They are part of an even bigger swing to plant-based foods, flavours and drinks that are predicted to trend in 2024.
Each year Whole Foods Trends Council, a team of over 50 culinary experts, foragers and buyers forecast new and heathy food trends to entice the health conscious consumer. Buckwheat, naturally gluten free and high in protein will be everywhere from crackers to milk-based alternatives according to Whole Foods. Yes, it’s the fruit of your favourite chocolate bar but did you know there is a diverse use of cacao? North America is discovering its previously discarded pulp now being made into jams and jellies.
Be on the lookout for haskap berries in 2024. Already heralded in Japan as ‘the elixir of life’ the dark purple elongated fruit, similar tasting to blueberries has four times the antioxidants.
The Lion’s Mane mushroom has been studied for its cognitive benefits including improved memory and non-jittery energy boosting. Made into a powder it gives coffee a nutty, earthy flavour. Wellness California brand, Clevr’s blended mushroom coffees and teas starter kit includes two different mushroom lattes and is on the list of “Oprah’s Favourite Things” this year.
Whatever your choice of wellness trends this year, longevity and aging gracefully are our ultimate goals.