The Wellness Travel Trend

2021 will be a year of revolutions in travel, and we're not just talking about means of transport or security measures, but also the types of trips that we'll be going on. Many in the travel industry have predicted that one of the most popular types of trips this year will be wellness trips.

It's no surprise that the pandemic has been damaging to our mental state and left us with high levels of anxiety and stress; however, it also made us realize how important it is to take better care of ourselves and our mental and physical health. After months spent in isolation, 2021 is our chance to get peace of mind, heal our bodies and rejuvenate our souls.

Here are our top recommendations of wellness holidays in 2021

1. Anti-stress and anti-anxiety holidays

Holidays have always been a way to take a break from our daily lives, but now more than ever, they allow us to overcome the stress accumulated during quarantine. Tailored to individual needs, stress and anxiety reduction holidays include meditation, deep sleep treatments and luxury spa experiences. If you love yoga, there are many spas in Mexico that offer a different approach to wellness and beauty: you can take yoga classes at dawn and under the stars, or maybe try out some popular Mexican cures like Janzu's Aquatic Therapy and Magic Stone massages. Don't you already feel calmer?

2. Internet detox

The time spent in front of the screen during quarantine has skyrocketed due to remote work/study, not to mention all the Netflix marathons and video calls in our free time. Studies show that spending too much time in front of the screen can lead to anxiety, depression and other physical issues. What better way to avoid screen burnout than a full detox from it? It's time to disconnect and rediscover the world around us with so-called closed-circuit holidays. You can do this by leaving your phone and PC at home, or going to places with no signal, but there are other extreme and adventurous options. Some travel agencies organize trips to remote and unknown places in all corners of the world, where you have to find your own way. The idea is to lose yourself during your travels and find your inner passions.

3. Reconnect with nature

After spending so much time indoors, people crave great unspoiled outdoor spaces. As studies show, direct contact with nature and fresh air dramatically improves mental health and reduces stress. What are you waiting for? Get ready to swim in the cold water, explore the forests, hike the beautiful Alpine or Himalayan mountains, or go wild camping in amazing places around the world.

4. Treatments to strengthen the immune system

Today, more than ever, we are concerned about staying healthy: until a vaccine is available, our immune system will have to adapt to Covid-19 on its own, and travellers are looking for ways to strengthen their bodies' natural defenses. As a relaxing solution to our health, immune boosting retreats are becoming increasingly popular and are offered in various places conducive to social distancing. With the help of doctors, nutritionists and healthcare professionals, your body's natural defenses will immediately begin to feel the positive effects! We are seeing an increase in large hotel chains that focus solely on wellness and sustainability. From breathing and yoga sessions in the sun to experiences of hot and cold, they provide everything your immune cells need to function at their best. With these new programs, they want to introduce guests to new techniques, treatments and activities for a stronger body and mind and to achieve a deeper sense of balance and accomplishment.

5. Music therapy and sound experiences

Music will redefine the concept of wellness travel in 2021: in fact, medical research suggests it has enormous healing power over the side effects of physical and mental illness such as PTSD, anxiety and hypertension. Resorts offering wellness retreats have recognized the benefits of music therapy and are incorporating sound experiences into their health plans.

Alternatively, many silence retreats in India offer their guests a variety of wellness activities (meditation and pranayama sessions, rejuvenating massages, cooking sessions, community exercises, natural agriculture), including traditional Indian ashram experience, where sound meditation plays an important role. This form of Focused Consciousness Meditation uses Tibetan singing bowls, quartz bowls, and bells to guide the listener and highlights how sound manifests itself not only through hearing but also by vibrations and tactile physical frequencies.

6. Sustainable Tourism

If there is one positive thing that this pandemic has brought, it is the great decrease in carbon emissions in 2020 and its beneficial effects on the environment. To continue to protect our dear Mother Nature and stay healthy at the same time, embark on a sports vacation: biking, walking and hiking! When was the last time you exercised while being fully immersed in the beauty of nature? Ideal destinations for hikers and cyclists are the rolling plains of Rwanda, the legendary mountains of Nepal or the magical vineyards of Sicily in the shadow of Mount Etna, where you might find yourself in a 19th century villa that served as a former monastery.

7. Staycations

Staycations started to take off last summer and are expected to increase in 2021, with an emphasis on wellness. People still don't trust overseas travel and most feel more secure when they are near home. As we noted before, travellers seek holidays to improve their health and fitness, while exploring the beauty of their country and supporting local businesses. No need to fly, no risk of border closures and less costs; there is no reason not to rediscover well-being at home!

Now that you know all the upcoming holiday trends that you can take part in to take better care of yourself, all you have to do is choose! In the meantime, check out other travel trends for 2021.

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