Health and wellness fads 2019: What were the trends and what’s to come in 2020? – Stuff.co.nz

2019 saw collagen powder, hemp, and perineum sunningedge into collective consciousness. What other fads did we endure this year, and what are experts predicting for the year to come?

We're all aspiring toward wellness - we download apps to help us breathe and meditate, more of us are opting for plant-based diets, and we're sticking all sorts of needles into our faces all in the name of beauty.

Social media has becomea never-ending stream of revolving trends, with some things in-and-out of favourso quickly it can give you whiplash.

We revisit some of the most popular health and wellness trends of 2019, and anticipate what might come next.

PERINEUM SUNNING

In November, a self-described Instagram "healer"uploaded a series of photos exposing her bum to the sun as part of her "daily rising routine".

Metaphysical Meganclaimed thatby sunning her perenium (the area between the anus and vulva)for five minutes a day, shehad better sleepand increased energy, libido and creativity.

Touted as an ancient Taoist practice, perineum sunning went viral in the final weeks of the year, much to the dismay of medical professionals, who rubbished the claims.Will it endure into 2020? Who knows!

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Collagen additives for coffee and breakfast foods became popular this year.

COLLAGEN

If you're a woman between 18 and 100 years old, it's likely you've come across an influencer flogging collagen online in recent months.

Collagen itself is nothing new - it's the most abundant protein in your body - but this year saw an influx of collagen products hit shelves, including coffee creamers, capsules and powders.

If nothing else, collagen-lovers will be seeing in the new year with strong hair and nails.

MICRONEEDLING

Skincare and appearance industry insiders at Caci Clinic say 2019 was all about microneedling, which improves texture and skin elasticity, reducing signs of aging or acne.

It works by using tiny microneedles to penetrate the skin, triggering the body's wound-healing response. This is said to boost collagen production, making skin stronger and firmer than before.

Caci insiders expectthe next big things in beauty will be retinol and vitamin-based skincare, as well as customised skin health.

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Turns out milk doesn't just come from a cow, a soy bean or an almond.

PLANT-BASED MILKS

If you've gone out for brunch this year it's likely you've been inundated with obscure, trendy alternative milk options - oat, hazelnut, cashew, quinoa, flax - you name it.

Plant-based milks are really having a moment, havingcome a long way since soy milk was for'hippies' only. Demand for non-dairy milks is increasing, and more creative options are popping up as a result.

Keep your eyes peeled for chia and hemp milks, which experts suggestcould be the next big thing.

HEMP

While much of the rest of the worldopened its arms to CBD oil in many different shapes and forms this year,New Zealand law has so far prevented the same happening here.

However, that hasn't stopped cannabis sativa'strendy cousin hemp from popping up all over the show.

Once only a nichehealth-store find, 2019 saw hemp nowin the milk aisle, in pancakes and cookies, and dusted on lattes in the shapes of hearts.

STUFF

Have an ailment or issue? There's an app out there for you.

VIRTUAL WELLNESS

From Headspace, meditation and mindfulness made easy, to period-tracking apps such asClue or MyFlo and WaterMinder, trackingyour H2O intake,wellness apps were everywhere this year.

Most of us can admit to living largely sedentary, stressed-out lifestyles. We work too hard fortoo long and move, sleepand relax too little.

Fortunately, there's no shortage of wellness apps to help us get our lives on track. We predict meditation apps will continue to reign supreme into the new year.

REFORMER PILATES

Performed on what looks like a torture device, reformer pilates has been a fond celebrity favourite for some time, but is still relatively new to New Zealand.

The rowing machine-like contraption, built from a "carriage"uses weighted arm straps and springs to toneandstrengthenmuscles, and even correctposture.

With classes popping up all over the country, you're sure to be able to find one - or its newer,slightly scarier cousin the Megaformer - near you.

PETER MEECHAM/STUFF

All meat or no meat - both were popular this year.

THE CARNIVORE DIET

This year, the Carnivore Diet- a close relative to keto - took the world by storm. Instead of keto, where you eat very few carbs, the Carnivore diet is zero-carb,consisting of only meat and high-fat animal products.

Last year, controversial academic Jordan Peterson raved about the diet on Joe Rogan's popular podcast, claiming it helped him lose 50 pounds, stop snoring and even cured his auto-immune diseases.

2019 also sawthemono diet (limiting food intake to one group or individual food per day), charcoal detoxes (fasting or consuming tea or juices containing charcoal) and time-restricted diets (a period in the day when you're 'allowed' to eat), have their moment in the sun.

THE RISE OF THE RTD

Gone are the days where the thought ofReady To Drink (RTD) alcoholic drinksconjures up nothing but (best forgotten) memories of our youth.

2019 ushered in a kind of RTD renaissance, with Kiwi companies like Part Times Rangersand Master of Ceremonies' Pals entering the market and taking Instagram by storm.

Spirits mixed with sparkling water and cannedrosspritzers areset to only become more popular as the days get longer. Watch this space.

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Lash lifts saw a modern version of the perm come back in style, just not for the hairs on your head.

GROUP AND RECOVERY-FOCUSSED EXERCISE

Forget just shredding, cutting or getting gains, fitness this year was all holistic "wellness",according to Les Mill's head of fitness Ish Cheyne.

While exercise is often centred around high-intensity interval training, trainers were alsostarting to play with the "recovery wellness space",such as introducing stretch classes,he said.

Cheyne predicts trainers will move into more "wellness-centred coaching spaces" next year, with a special emphasis on life outside of the gym - particularly sleep.

On the other hand, the rise of group fitness - such asF45 - is likely to continue in popularity, he said.

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Recovery - such as stretch classes - are set to become a bigger part of our approach to fitness next year, experts say.

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Health and wellness fads 2019: What were the trends and what's to come in 2020? - Stuff.co.nz