As we start the new year, many of us are experiencing a mix of emotions about the worrying and unclear situations surrounding the White House and its fate in our country. Still, despite all the uncertainty, there remains a strong sense of excitement for new beginnings, fresh ideas, and a greater emphasis on healthiness.
Nowadays, being healthy is about more than just exercise or weight management. It’s about setting goals that help us understand our bodies and minds better and how to take care of them.
A recent survey of adults aged 18 to 99 showed a clear change in how people are now thinking about their well-being. It included a balanced mix of genders, age groups and regions that match U.S. census data. It found that many people see health as a complete journey, not just about physical success.
Whether it’s tweaking old habits or starting a big and new health transformation, here are the key points from the study to help us plan and stick to our goals and improve our overall well-being this year.
Wellness Priorities for 2025
Combined Health Approaches
In 2025, you’ll see a closer relationship between conventional and alternative medicine. Holistic health methods like acupuncture, herbal therapies and functional medicine will become more mainstream. People will often use these alongside traditional medical treatments to improve universal health.
A Broader Approach to Maintaining Our Weight
For most of us, keeping a healthy weight is an important part of staying well. But, the way we think about it is changing.
The old methods of extreme dieting are fading away. Now, the emphasis is on having a healthy metabolism and developing an effective regimen that can last over time.
Going forward, we can expect more customized and long-term weight loss programs for healthy eating, exercise, and changes in habits, all backed by new technologies and data analysis.
In 2024, there was also a significant increase in weight loss medications, and drugs like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) – it is a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels and has many other physiological effects – are likely to become more popular.
Boosting Digestive Health
Gut health will still be crucial, as new studies show how it relates to mental health, immunity and chronic illnesses, known as the “gut-brain connection”. Probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods will remain in demand, and there will be a rise in supplements for gut health as well as an increase in tests to check individual gut bacteria.
Embracing the Changes That Come With Aging
The term “aging gracefully” is more than just a buzzy saying these days. As people want to take care of their liver, prostate, brain function and improve energy, this desire for better performance and a longer life will lead to an increase in biohacking.
New developments in wearable devices, smart supplements and brain-boosting products will help us improve our functionality and how long we live. This enhanced, personalized health information will be used to make specific changes to our lifestyles.
It is also a reminder that looking after our future selves begins now.
Digital Detox Retreats Take Center Stage
As we spend more time online, the need to take breaks from technology will become more important. More people will want to attend digital detox retreats, where they can step away from their devices and enjoy nature. These retreats will include activities focused on mindfulness, outdoor fun, and wellness workshops.
A Movement Towards Better Health in the Workplace
Corporate wellness programs will change to meet the overall needs of employees and you can look forward to more of these efforts at work. They will include support for mental health, fitness activities and flexible work options to help employees balance their professional and personal lives better.
Women’s Health
Women’s health is becoming more important, especially in areas like reproductive health, hormone balance and issues that mainly affect women, like perimenopause. New technologies, an emphasis on personalized care and specific wellness programs will help promote this focus.
More women are also spending money on products and services related to menstrual care, sexual health, menopause, and pregnancy.
AI for Wellness and Mental Health
Artificial intelligence will have a bigger impact on personal health. With AI health coaches, tailored fitness programs and support for mental health, technology will offer more individualized and effective ways to improve wellness. AI will assist people in monitoring their health data and give useful advice on how to make improvements.
Fighting off Illness and Bouncing Back from Challenges
In recent years, we’ve learned how important it is to be healthy both physically and mentally. But there is now a stronger focus on building total strength and immunity so that we can feel good and thrive.
Many people want to improve their immune health, often by taking supplements, and these advancements will become increasingly sophisticated and science-backed in 2025. Look forward to new developments in categories like DNA-based supplements, subscription services for supplements and collagen supplements that have added vitamins, nutrients and adaptogens to help with skin, joints and overall health.
Sexual Health
People will talk more openly about sexual health and wellness. Related products and services will involve further education, therapy and health products; and they will be easier to find and less embarrassing to discuss. Some key issues will include vaginal dryness, low libido, and other reproductive issues.
Who’s Stepping Up to the Plate?
While health is something we all share, the survey has also revealed some interesting information about who is causing these changes:
- Women lead the charge, making up 53% of the people surveyed and often taking care of their family’s health and well-being.
- Millennials, those aged 30 to 44, are driving the need for new, science-backed solutions that match their hectic lives.
- The racially and ethnically diverse South Atlantic areas of the U.S. – it includes Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Georgia, making up 42% of people of color living in the South – is becoming extremely involved in health and fitness, and highlights how various regions have their own ideas about what is important for staying well.
These trends indicate a shift from one-size-fits-all solutions to more customized choices that suit people’s different life stages, lifestyles and values.
So, how can we use this information to set our health goals for 2025?
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to change everything in your life all at once.
Karen E. Todd, a Registered Dietitian, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist offers these tips to help you create a simple and practical approach:
Take advantage of small actions. Begin by thinking: What is one good habit I can start today that my future self will appreciate?
Be curious. If you want to make better choices, take some time to learn about these developments and how each part can help with your health needs.
Remember to look at the big picture. Being well isn’t only about exercising or eating healthy. It also includes sleep, mental health, relationships and finding happiness.
Transparency is the Latest Trend in Feeling Good and Staying Healthy
When it comes to selecting the products and services to assist in our good health, being open and clear about what they entail is crucial. Eight out of ten people in a survey said that knowing this information is “extremely” or “very” important when they make their selections. There are so many options available today and we want to understand what we’re buying.
We want to know:
- What’s in the product? Is it pure, free of extra unwanted ingredients, and supported by research?
- Where do the ingredients come from? Are they sourced in a way that is good for the environment and produced fairly?
- Why does it work? Is there real data backing up what it says?
If you’re trying to achieve health goals this year, being open and clear is more than just reading a label on a product—it’s a way of thinking. It means asking important questions, gaining information and making choices that align with what you believe in.
The Final Takeaway
2025 offers a fresh start, giving us the chance to decide what health means for us. It’s a time to embrace and mix new scientific discoveries with understanding ourselves and to see how our physical, mental,and emotional health are connected.
As we start this new year, let’s focus on setting meaningful goals and making choices that align with our values and our community. This way, we can build upon the foundation for a strong and healthy life, no matter what challenges come our way.
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!
