About wellness
Health and Wellness: A Growing Priority Post-Pandemic
The pandemic has profoundly reshaped attitudes toward health and well-being. Public Health reported in 2020 that 80% of respondents expressed a desire to adopt healthier lifestyles in 2021. Similarly, a 2021 Ipsos study revealed that 62% of Americans now prioritize their health more than they did before Covid-19. These shifts have also transformed the way people approach travel, merging the pursuit of wellness with their journeys.
Wellness Travel on the Rise
According to Virtuoso's 2022 Travel Trends report, conducted with YouGov, 21% of global travelers were motivated by health and wellness reasons in their recent trips. This figure is set to grow, with 29% of respondents indicating interest in wellness-focused travel for the future.
Key trends include:
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Reconnecting through travel: Strengthening bonds with loved ones—whether friends, family, or partners—is a top priority.
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Sleep wellness: Addressing sleep health is becoming a significant focus, with innovations like in-flight meditation apps (e.g., Calm and Headspace) and the rise of sleep retreats tailored for insomniacs.
The Future of Wellness Travel
As people continue to place greater value on their physical and mental health, wellness tourism is expected to expand. This evolution reflects a broader shift toward self-care, balance, and purposeful travel, offering travelers opportunities to recharge, reconnect, and rejuvenate in meaningful ways.
Understanding Holistic Wellness
What is holistic wellness?
The concept of holistic wellness can be understood in two primary ways:
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As alternative medicine: Often, the term is used to refer to "natural" approaches to health. For example, someone facing a medical diagnosis might explore alternative therapies to complement or replace conventional treatments. This perspective is sometimes referred to as “holistic medicine.”
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As a comprehensive approach to health: The broader and more literal interpretation of holistic wellness focuses on the interconnected dimensions of health. It suggests that true wellness is only achieved when every aspect of a person’s life is in harmony. While opinions vary on which areas to include, most experts agree that holistic wellness encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health.
Why Holistic Wellness Matters
Holistic wellness challenges the traditional, often Western, view of health as simply the absence of illness or disease. Instead, it recognizes that well-being is multifaceted, with each dimension influencing the others.
Take stress as an example. Scientific research shows that stress can worsen physical health conditions and have profound emotional effects. This demonstrates the deep connection between different areas of life and underscores the importance of addressing all aspects of well-being to achieve true health.
The Workplace and Holistic Wellness
The principles of holistic wellness are increasingly influencing workplace culture. As the boundaries between work and home life blur, it has become clear that individuals cannot compartmentalize their personal and professional selves. Productivity, creativity, and innovation are directly linked to well-being, making holistic wellness a critical focus for employers.
Research confirms that bringing one’s whole self to work enhances performance and creativity. Recognizing this, BetterUp developed the Whole Person Model (WPM)—a framework that measures mindsets and behaviors contributing to optimal performance and well-being. The WPM helps individuals and organizations understand how various aspects of life, including mental fitness, affect productivity and personal growth.
The Holistic Wellness Advantage
Holistic wellness empowers individuals to view health as an integrated system rather than isolated components. By fostering balance across physical, mental, and emotional dimensions, individuals can enhance their overall quality of life while driving success in personal and professional pursuits.