Revealed: Biggest health trends for 2022, according to doctor: from monitoring your stress levels to strengthening your immune system, by Bupa Associate Clinical Director – Dr Elizabeth Rogers – predicts the biggest health and fitness trends for the new year.
Heading into 2022, we analyzed recent research habits1 to predict the most popular trends in health, fitness and wellness:
1. Improve your gut health
2. Lead a more environmentally friendly life
3. Boost your immune system
4. Make mindfulness part of your exercise routine
5. Monitor your stress level
6. Try to drink mindfully
7. Start a Mood Journal Putting your health first is more important than ever. Our to research find:
– 28% of Britons were unaware of a health problem, 16-34 year olds most often avoiding asking for help.
– More than one in ten would not immediately see a doctor if they suspected that something was wrong with their health.
– More than a quarter of Britons say they are even less likely to see a doctor due to the pandemic.
The major health trends to adopt in 2022:
Improve your gut health:
– 83% increase in Google searches for “gut health”
– 60% increase in Google searches for “brain-gut axis”
Dr Elizabeth Rogers said: “Making your gut health a priority is getting more and more popular. Gut health can refer to both your digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the balance of bacteria in your gut. Your gut digests food, harbors a range of bacteria, absorbs energy and nutrients, and gets rid of wastes.
Your diet is one of the biggest influences on our gut health, so it’s important to eat a variety of foods, including whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. Processed foods are often high in additives and preservatives, and these can disrupt the good bacteria in your gut.
Mental health can also impact your gut health, also known as the “gut-brain axis”. Keep in mind that it may take time for your gut to get used to a new eating pattern, so make changes slowly to give your body time to adjust ”.
Lead a more environmentally friendly life:
– 418% increase in Google searches for “climate anxiety”
– 238% increase in Google searches for “ecological anxiety”
Ecological and climate anxiety is increasing and this can be a normal response to what is going on in the world.
Dr Elizabeth Rogers shares her thoughts: “You are not alone in your feelings – millions of people around the world will feel the same as you. Taking note of your feelings and turning them into positive actions can promote your well-being, but also make a difference for the planet.
To make sure your green habits stay true, start by making a small change or two to live greener, and strengthen them over time. For example, choose local and seasonal foods where possible and reduce food waste by planning meals in advance.
Boost Your Immune System:
– 84% increase in Google searches for “boosting the immune system”
– 60% increase in Google searches for “weak immune system”
– 50% increase in Google searches to “strengthen the immune system”
“We are still emerging from the global coronavirus pandemic, so taking care of yourself has never been more important.
A strong immune system isn’t something you develop overnight, but instead improving your health and fitness in the weeks leading up to a much-anticipated event can make a huge difference.
Start the New Year off on the right foot by strengthening your immune system by eating a more varied diet, sleeping well, taking your daily dose of vitamin D (add a supplement during the winter months) and washing your hands regularly ” , explains Dr. Rogers.
Make mindfulness part of your exercise routine:
– 80% increase in Google searches for “conscious movement”
– 53% increase in Google searches for “mindfulness exercise”
– 23% increase in Google searches for “mindful running”
Not only does moving your body have a positive impact on your physical health, it’s also a great way to celebrate what your body can do and boost your self-esteem. It’s also more on people’s radar after an increase in Google searches this year.
Dr. Elizabeth Rogers shares: “Research shows that combining mindfulness with exercise has many benefits, including lowering your risk of depression and increasing your endurance. Regular exercise can also improve your mood, relieve stress, and reduce anxiety. This is because of “feel-good” chemicals such as serotonin that are released in the body during exercise.
A good example of combining mindfulness and exercise is mindful running, where you are mentally connected to your movements and avoid any distractions. Try to notice the feeling of your body moving and the different smells and noises that surround you.
Track your stress level:
– 83% increase in Google searches for “fitness tracker”
– 80% increase in Google searches for ‘stress tracker’
– 50% increase in Google searches for “cortisol level”
“Another trend for the New Year is tracking your stress levels. Some fitness and stress trackers worn on your wrist are now able to track your cortisol levels, but there are other options. Try to note any symptoms of physical or mental stress, including pain or tension in your body, digestive issues such as nausea or constipation, and a rapid heartbeat. Emotional signs to look for include irritability, anger, feeling overwhelmed, and racing thoughts.
Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises or mindfulness, can ease the stress or worry you feel. Practice these techniques when you feel relaxed to begin with, and find out what works best for you. Although you may not want to, daily exercise releases beneficial chemicals into your brain. Exercising outdoors also has many benefits, including improving your mood and self-esteem.
Remember that assistance is always available, ”reiterates Dr Rogers.
Try to drink mindfully
– 127% increase in Google searches for “conscious consumption” in 2021
Dr Elizabeth encourages all of us to try consciously drinking after a recent study2 found that more than one in three adults (36%) increased their alcohol consumption during the first lockdown.
“A new concept that has caught the attention of people looking for a healthier relationship with alcohol is ‘alcohol consumption’ – being aware of why you are drinking and how much alcohol is drinking. that you consume. After a wave of searches on Google in 2021, it is expected to increase further in the new year.
Conscious consumption often leads to a healthier relationship with alcohol and less consumption. It’s a simple trend to adopt: practice mindful drinking, take a break before each new drink, and ask yourself why you are drinking. Whether it’s asking yourself how you feel drinking this alcohol or feeling good, all of these simple techniques can improve your relationship with alcohol.
Start a mood journal
– 88% increase in Google searches for “Mood Tracking Journal”
– 50% increase in Google searches for “mood diary” in 2021
“After a hectic year that put a lot of pressure on our mental health, the mood journal is becoming more and more popular,” says Dr. Rogers.
“Keeping a mood journal, or an emotion journal, can be a useful way to get to the root of persistent negative feelings (and increase positive feelings). It allows you to recognize negative emotions and take action to alleviate those feelings, whether that is opening up to a friend, loved one, or a mental health professional. Writing down your feelings has also been shown to reduce your feelings of anxiety and depression ”.
1 Research based on an internal analysis of Google search habits from September 2020 to August 2021.
