Hobbies Support Wellbeing

Speakers at the GWS promoted wellness for all, regardless of age or income. Katherine Johnston, senior research fellow at the Global Wellness Institute, emphasised the need for public infrastructure for exercise and socialisation. Throughout the event, panellists framed sports and creative hobbies as accessible pursuits that can help improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Bathing and Sweating Make a Splash

Saunas and communal baths are booming globally, from the UK to Ethiopia and Japan. Between 2022 and 2023, revenue for the global thermal springs sector rose by $14bn (Global Wellness Institute, 2024). To capitalise on growth, wellness brands are upgrading saunas and bathing with experiences in nature or even nightlife-style entertainment.

Upgrading Personal & Planetary Support

Daily routines are rapidly shifting, driven by a post-pandemic reimagination of workplace norms and accelerating climate change. GWS speakers explained how communal structures – namely religion and employers – can take a proactive approach in helping individuals maintain their wellbeing in this state of flux.

Building for Health & Wellness

The global wellness property market is the fastest-growing sector within wellness, expected to reach $912.6bn by 2028, up from $438.2bn in 2023 (Global Wellness Institute, 2024). Experts at the GWS discussed how the built environment can better support people’s health, spotlighting sustainable materials for buildings alongside infrastructure for water-scarce regions.

Tech Shapes Wellbeing

Technology is pushing consumer health forward, according to GWS speakers who highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for treating health conditions (like sleep apnoea) – a topic discussed in our Look Ahead 2025: Technology. Meanwhile, others called for guard rails on social media use in order to improve young people’s mental wellbeing.