As the year draws to an end, let's take some time to reflect on three wins for the year. This could be in your personal life or at work.
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Done?
The Actxa Wellness team took time to reflect on our year, and distilled great learnings for 2022.
As we looked internally, we also took the opportunity to look externally, and we are delighted to share our wellness trends outlook for 2023, as seen from our lens.
1. The shift from Mental Health to (Holistic) Wellbeing
2022 is the year we remember as that of coming out from the pandemic and slowly moving into hybrid work arrangements for many. Mental health was a key requirement and consideration from not just corporates but also the individual. The uncertainty of the future put further stress on everyone’s shoulders and mental health and morale was at an all-time low.
However, coming to the end of 2022, we now see a greater need for other wellbeing pillars to have their needs met. Many have found that the sole attention given to mental wellbeing was insufficient to meet their needs and to elevate wellbeing on all other wellbeing pillar fronts. This awareness and discovery is wonderful as the world shifts towards exploring and understanding the sum of all parts of wellbeing.
(You can read more about From Wellness to Wellbeing: The Great Awakening)
2. Inclusivity on the Mental Wellbeing Spectrum
A broad understanding of mental wellbeing means to apply mental wellbeing to a spectrum of individuals. This could be from anyone requiring clinical attention, to someone struggling and learning to cope, to another who might seem balanced but could be more informed, to others that are thriving and moving towards peak performance.
There will be a move towards attending to everyone with equal attention on this mental wellbeing spectrum in 2023 as we all connect the dots to be as inclusive as possible in the right areas for growth and elevated wellbeing.
3. Wellness Begins at Home
We are a subset of our environment. And because we spend half our time at home, what better way for us to include wellness at home for ourselves. In fact, it is also the perfect opportunity to impart and nurture wellness education to our children when at home. Like an absorbent sponge, children will take (albeit with much questioning) what we share, and continue to build positive habits as they progress into teenage-hood and adulthood.
The pandemic has allowed so much more time for families to spend time doing things together, to identify what brings joy and enjoyment for each other. And now, even though the pandemic has left us and things are back to the “new normal”, we witness these wellness activities from home still being practiced by individuals and families.
A more wellness informed and aware parent, will want the same wellness-based lifestyle for their children, and this is definitely something to look forward to in 2023.
(You can read more about Wellness Begins at Home)
4. Urban farmers Subsistence farming
Know a friend, neighbour or colleague who developed green fingers during the lockdown?
Well, you’re not alone. From starting with herbs, the trend is moving towards subsistence indoor farming with microgreens and luxury vegetables like kale and mustard greens. The ease and low cost to which farming can be done at home has taken everyone by storm. Having pesticide free salad made from your home garden definitely beats something bought or delivered from your regular bistro or grocer.
To set up your own home garden. Check out our programme partner Sprout Lab.
5. From Doing to Being
I overheard someone comment that boutique fitness studios are experiencing a drought. Gone are the post-covid days where classes were packed and the waitlist never-ending. The indulgence in boutique fitness post-covid have empowered fitness goers with the luxury of choice. And this choice is not just on other fitness options like a hike in nature, home workouts, personal training or a commercial big-box gym membership. It is also on other wellness activities that many have realised would also elevate their wellbeing.
The move from “doing to being” is a result of a more wellness-aware population that are now empowered to make their own decisions on wellness and wellbeing. Just by being, we steer away from blindly doing. We feel balanced and we are at peace.
Parting Words
If you enjoyed this article. Do follow us on our social channels for more wellness content, as we help dissect wellbeing and help you identify what matters the most for you.
About the Writer:
Alex Loh is a consultant and coach in the fitness, health and wellness space, business owner, podcast host, loving husband and doting father. His compass is guided by the desire to help people, where his focus is to help businesses and organisations harness fitness, health and wellness as the vehicle to build sustainable solutions. This led him to Co-found Actxa Wellness, where he leads as CEO.
Connect more with Alex Loh here ➡️ https://linktr.ee/alexlohsengyue