On December 16, the Los Altos Town Crier announced the wellness trends that people need to know about for 2021. Looking back at the past 50 weeks of 2020, few people could have imagined that the year would involve a pandemic and a vaccine for the virus that caused the pandemic. As 2021 approaches, people should know what to expect when it comes to health and wellness trends. Here are some of the top ones to watch out for in the new year.

Hybrid Gyms

A combination of virtual and in-person exercise classes could become the norm. Dance studios, yoga centers and gyms have had to open and close several times since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Reduced capacity caused some teachers to lead their classes outdoors. Virtual workouts will continue to be a trend as fitness professionals try to stay employed and attempt to help people stay fit.

Fitness Apps

Fitness apps and wearable devices have been around for a while now, but they will get more popular in 2021. People like the freedom of not going to the gym and being able to exercise in the comfort of their own home or familiarity of their favorite park. Apps, videos and livestream classes add flexibility and make it easier to track fitness goals and outcomes.

Zoom Socializing

Work meetings aren't the only thing Zoom is good for. People are also using it to replace in-person socializing. Humans need social contact for mental and emotional well-being. When it can't be done in person, Zoom and similar platforms are good alternatives. People can expect Zoom family gatherings, knitting groups, board games and more to continue into 2021 until a vaccine is widely available for anyone who wants it.

Whole-body Approach to Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that safeguarding physical health often leads to a problem with mental health. In 2021, expect a holistic approach to health and wellness. People will try to find a balance of how they work, go to school, shop, do their errands, socialize and care for their family and community. They will have to do this while exercising caution for both their physical and mental well-being. Some of the areas of focus for holistic health include exercise, sleep, mindfulness, stress management and eating a nutritious diet.

Building a Sense of Community

Feeling connected is more important now than it has ever been. The United States just went through an extremely divisive presidential election. At the same time, everyone was already stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. Having a community, whether that is a virtual one or an in-person one, prevents isolation and the depression that can follow it. Look for more information in 2021 on how people are building community, including how vaccines help people reconnect in person. Once herd immunity is achieved in the United States, most experts predict that there will be a huge resurgence in-person gatherings, celebrations and other events.

Public Health Infrastructure

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown America a lot of things, including its major lack of investment in public health infrastructure. The United States has had to bring in the National Guard to do testing, and it will likely have to do the same in order to administer vaccines. You can expect to see more interest and discussion around public health policies and infrastructure. Thanks to the pandemic, people know more about what public health does. They know what the acronym "CDC" means and what an epidemiologist does. However, the public health leadership will have to spend some time convincing about half the country why more investments need to be made in order to prevent a repeat of what happened this year.

Stress Management

In 2020, most people have had a big increase in their stress levels. They might have lost their job and had no idea of where their next meal would come from or how they would buy their child a bigger pair of shoes. Uncertainty around economic relief, jobs and policies has been a huge burden on people. Many people have also been stressed about what would happen if they or their loved one became ill from COVID-19. People who have a family member who believes that COVID-19 is a hoax may feel even more stressed, especially if that person is gaslighting their experience. Expect more opportunities to learn about stress management in 2021.