In 2024, we want to see you moving in a way that feels good, putting yourself first, and taking time for self-care.
And we’re not the only ones thinking this way.
Experts are predicting a year of slow travel, badminton, and a switch out from home bars to matcha carts. Bodycare will have its moment too, with Boomers and Gen Z expected to double down on luxury lotions, in-home spa experiences, and some serious SPF.
Searches for ‘body skincare routine’ have already gone up by +1,025%, according to Pinterest. Taking it steady is also on the cards, with searches for a ‘slow life’ and ‘digital detox challenge’ skyrocketing.
So, with the aim of living a more stress-free life on the horizon, we’ve taken a look at the six hottest self-care trends to be aware of in 2024.
Gut health and inflammation
Research on gut health has grown steadily over the last ten years, with 6,000 papers published in 2023 alone.
At the end of the year, a study found that gut microbes may play a role in social anxiety disorder. This was discovered when scientists found the gut microbiome differs for people with social anxiety disorder compared to healthy individuals.
Growing data also points to the microbes in the gut having the ability to influence the brain and vice versa. Scientists have estimated that a whopping 70% of the immune system lives in the gut microbiome.
As this research expands and new findings come to light, changing behaviors are slowly starting to reflect a focus on gut health thanks to the self-care trend.
This means a potential interest in high-fiber or fermented foods and focusing on sleep.
How red light therapy helps
Inflammation is a natural immune response to injury, infection, or harmful stimuli.
Just like how gut inflammation can bring on brain fog, joint pain, and a whole lot of nasty symptoms, this is replicated throughout the body.
Joint inflammation can bring stiffness, pain, reduced mobility, and muscle weakness. Red light therapy can reverse this as it has anti-inflammatory effects due to the modulation of cellular processes and immune responses.
Hair growth
TikTok and social media have become awash with hacks to grow your hair like Rapunzel, so much so that new shampoos and oils are touted weekly.
@lifeaszeph Time flies #hair #hairtransformation ♬ vampire - Olivia Rodrigo
The hair loss and growth device market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, primarily driven by the growing demand.
Although hair loss has been happening for centuries, there are some claims that millennials are losing their hair earlier.
Stress, diet, and even hair treatments are among the possible reasons younger generations are facing hair loss.
A study in China found that people in their 20s are going bald sooner, with 60% of the young study participants (out of 4,000) reporting losing significant amounts of hair.
How red light therapy helps hair growth
Interest in red light therapy as a hair growth tool is growing, with research showing an improvement in both strand density and thickness.
In 2020, research was conducted into the role of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in androgenetic alopecia. The results showed that LLLT had a significant effect on increasing hair density in patients with androgenetic alopecia. No adverse events or side effects occurred.
Due to this, you may have seen light therapy treatments popping up at clinics worldwide so people can experience the benefits for themselves.
If commuting to the clinic and paying for every session doesn’t sound like fun, but you’re eager to improve your luscious locks, consider a red light therapy device you can use at home.
Tracking health with wearable devices
Wearable devices now have the power to analyze the nitty and gritty in our lives.
Whoop aims to boost immune systems and make performance gains through lab-level accuracy tracking of our sleep.
Fitbit can measure the oxygen level in our blood to indicate important changes in our fitness and wellness.
The wearable ring, the Oura, has precise research-grade temperature sensors to spot any sudden shifts that could indicate potential sickness.
And that’s just the start. There are now hundreds of wearable devices on the market, with all the usual technology big-hitters vying for the top spot.
After a grueling few years stuck in a global pandemic, people are being more proactive than ever about their health. This interest in what makes us tick is predicted to heighten as 2024 progresses.
How red light therapy helps with health
Although red light therapy doesn’t track your health, it can be a great tool to counteract any issues and get you back on track.
It offers targeted relief when pain strikes, triggers the healing process to help damaged tissues repair quicker, and reduces inflammation.
It’s not just physical benefits either, as light therapy can contribute to improved mood and mental wellbeing.
Digital Detoxing
With global screen times averaging an alarming 6 hours and 58 minutes per day, it seems like a digital detox is well needed in 2024.
For some people, a digital detox is being trialed in small doses with offline morning routines and no tech zones. Others are going old school and abandoning their phones in favor of off-grid retreats, which unplug the Wi-Fi.
As our lives become more saturated with technology, some distance could do the world of good. The benefits are said to include an increase in productivity, lowered stress levels, and better sleep.
After all, the blue light emitted from your phone screen tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime. When this happens, the body stops releasing melatonin - the sleep hormone.
So, if you’re wondering why you struggle to sleep after browsing all day, it could be that pesky phone.
Leaving behind the barrage of random notifications and the endless social media doom scroll sounds good to us!
How red light therapy helps
Having a detox means more time for what matters to you. If you’ve been nursing recent joint pain, inflammation, or arthritis, picking up a red light therapy device and integrating it into your restful time is a worthy combo.
Integrating it into your daily routine is best, and being relaxed when using it can further help your nervous system - promoting overall wellness and leading to healthier sleep.
Getting back to nature
Grab your hiking boots; we’re getting stuck into nature!
Trending search terms include ‘off-road camping’ (with a 90% increase), off-road wheels (+70%), and adventure car (at an 80% rise).
Taking time out for walks into mother nature - away from technology - can bring some major peace to your life.
Research shows that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier and more likely to report feeling their lives are worthwhile. It’s an antidote for stress.
This eagerness to stretch our legs appears to have been brewing for a while, with millennials being on track to be one of the most nature-loving generations ever.
Red light therapy
We may be biased, but here at Kineon, we’re predicting red light therapy to be one of the next and biggest self-care trends.
Even Kim Kardashian has been showing off her red light therapy bed on TikTok. And her younger sister, Kylie Jenner, has one too.
With the ability to reduce wrinkles, scars, and acne, there’s no wonder why all the celebs are raving about it! And that’s just the cosmetic benefits. Other benefits include:
- Alleviates pain
- Reduces inflammation
- Promotes wound healing
- Stimulates cellular function
- Boosts blood circulation
- Enhances muscle recovery and performance
Although light therapy has been around forever, its evolution has brought it out from within a purely medical setting and into the hands of people who are seeking natural and accessible wellness solutions.
With advancements over the last decade or so, the development of compact and user-friendly devices has become a reality.
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