As we approach 2019, we look back on the year that was 2018 and how our ethoses and sentiments changed as the year went by.
It was a year when intermittent fasting gained stride, Keto continued to dominate diet news and CBD Oil took center stage.
But, we also saw shifts in the wellness space as more people began to embrace mental health and focus on how their everyday activities affect their well-being.
As we look forward into 2019 and beyond, there are certain trends that will be carried over from 2018, others that will die, and ones that will rise up anew. The future has never been more exciting for brands, blogs, and customers in the wellness space as it is quickly evolving.
Marijuana is now pretty much legal everywhere, feminine hygiene and sexual health are constantly getting a makeover, digital wellness has become a thing, and faux meat and now fish options are stocking the shelves.
After analyzing trends on social, the mediascape and from content that has performed well on Nxt Modern this year, here is our official trend report on the year that will be 2019.
1.CBD Oil is The New Savior
CBD Oil, the far non-psychoactive cousin of cannabis has taken the front seat for the past few years and is going nowhere. With its properties being claimed to cure or ease everything from anxiety to period pains, CBD is here to stay.
Plus, in late 2018 Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill after months of back and forth. Meaning, this could potentially influence everything from your skincare routine to morning coffee, as it sets the stage for hemp and mainstream CBD to be legalized.
In 2019 we expect to see a lot more CBD infusions in food, medicine and body products.
2. Body Positivity is Now a Thing - Thanks to Rihanna
A few short years ago, even imagining
In 2017 when she launched her Fenty line of makeup products, she stole the headlines from traditional cosmetic brands, creating over 40 different shades of foundation for women of all skin types.
Fast track a year and a half later and brands are now realizing that billions of dollars were being left on the table and are now embracing inclusivity.
In 2019, we expect to see a lot more cosmetic, fashion and beauty brands stepping outside the box to model what has been called “The Rihanna Effect.”
3. Digital Wellness Will Go Mainstream
In 2018, Google launched its latest line of phones with a new feature called “Digital Wellbeing.” This feature is said to monitor your smartphone usage and uses technology to give you queues as to when you have had “too much.”
Digital wellness in and of itself is nothing new. We have been using technology in the form of smartwatches and even our smartphones to track our health for years.
However, this new initiative aims to limit our technology usage overall, to encourage better mental health and interaction outside of our screens.
We expect to see this become more mainstream in our smartphones and other devices into 2019 and onwards. Especially with the social climate in which we live, and many people finding a social media cleanse to be not so difficult after all.
As Google says, “great technology should improve your life, not distract from it.”
4. Oat Milk the New Almond or Soy?
Is this another fad, or something that is here to stay? As the vegan market grows, manufacturers are seeking different ways to capitalize on consumer’s shift in taste, and the latest on the block in the beverage department is Oat Milk.
Over the past year, the dairy-averse and other enthusiasts have become fascinated with this alternative. Not only is it cheaper, but it has mass appeal since almost everyone knows and can eat oats.
Nowhere has this new trend taken off like coffee shops. Chalkboard signs have been popping up everywhere recently touting Oat Milk as the new kid on the block.
According to data by Refinery29, Oat Milk sales has grown by a whopping 425% in the last year alone. Although cashew milk, peanut milk and coconut milk have seen huge growths in the past year, none of them have leveled up with almond or soy like oat milk.
In 2019, we can look to see oat milk dominating our grocery store shelves and taking the spotlight at more coffee shops worldwide.
5. Home-Tech Will Become More Intrusive but Even More Helpful
It is not really news to hear about technology in our homes anymore. Everything has gone digital, from the washing machine to the vegetable compartment of our refrigerators.
In 2018, we continued to see more brands enter the smart speaker space with even Facebook jumping in, and we also saw more ways to connect everything to our smartphone, even our stoves.
Of course, for many, this raises privacy concerns, as not only can data companies and manufacturers track your data from apps, but now they can know what time you cook, how often you cook and how many times you turn on the heat in winter.
As intrusive as this might seem, in 2019, this will continue to become mainstream, hence making it more normal for a society seeking more and more conveniences.
Home-tech will reach more places in our homes, but it will also offer valuable information that can help us make better decisions when it comes to energy and efficiency.
6. The Vagina is No Longer Off Limits, Fem Care On The Rise
Not long ago, one of the most undervalued segments of the health market was feminine hygiene. The main products on pharmacy and grocery store shelves were chemically-laced sanitary pads and tampons manufactured by big box brands who saw it as just another addition to their lines.
However, in the past few years, feminine hygiene has taken the front seat for brands like Lola who have recognized the gap in this market and providing healthier alternatives.
In 2019 we expect to see this industry continue to take off as more women start taking responsibility for their health and seek out better options.
Natural deodorants like Native and sexual health brands like My Lab and Hers are also making strides and we’re excited
7. MCT Oil is Getting Some Buzz, Thanks to Keto
MCT or medium chain triglycerides or medium chain fatty acids are the types of fat mostly derived from coconut oil or palm oil.
According to Bulletproof.com, MCT oil is colorless, odorless, and stays liquid at room temperature, making it the perfect fat to add to food, smoothies, and coffee for extra energy and brain-boosting benefits.
MCT Oil’s popularity has grown tremendously in recent years with the rise of low-carb high-fat (LCHF) diets like Keto and Paleo.
Due to its naturally high-fat content, MCT oil is being added to coffees, teas and other foods to support a high healthy fat consumption on these diets.
In 2019, we expect to see MCT oil go mainstream as more people realize its awesome health benefits outside of just weight loss dieting.
8. Plant-Based Fish will Rival Plant Based Meat
The plant-based meat market is now booming, with a 23% growth in 2018 alone. With fancy grocery stores and even restaurants like Umami Burger going the Beyond Meat route, it’s fair to say that plant-based meat is likely here to stay.
Now as society’s tastes continue to shift from overly carnivorous to more experimental and plant-based, the race is on for food manufacturers to replace the real-life options with faux ones that taste just as good.
Next up on the list, fish.
With chicken, beef and dairy having been drastically transformed to keep up with the market shifts, the next logical candidate is fish.
Brands like Sophie’s Kitchen already offer a variety of plant-based fish products like crab and scallops, made from pea and potato starch.
Plus, grocery brands like Whole Foods and Sprout who sell Sophie’s Kitchen line of products have reported a 72% increase in sales.
Other brands like Good Catch and Ocean Hugger Foods are entering the space as well offering products like raw and canned tuna.
So 2019 will continue to be an exciting year for meat alternatives as real meat becomes old school.
9. The Power of Having a Work-Life Balance Continues to be Realized
As mental health and overall wellness continues to dominate the space, employers and employees are realizing the importance of having a work-life balance.
Gone are the days of 50-hour work weeks, midnight emails and weekend business meetings.
It is becoming ever more clear that if you want to be successful in business, you first have to be successful at home.
As we head into 2019 we expect to see more employers embracing work-life balance routines by not only focusing on physical health via insurance plans but also mental wellness.
Bringing things like yoga and motivational speakers into the workplace, while offering more sick days, longer maternity leave and paid vacations will continue to be adopted.
Was this article helpful?
