With health and wellness taking center stage, a growing number of people are reconsidering their relationship with alcohol, sparking a surge in alternatives that prioritize mindful drinking. From sophisticated mocktails to adaptogenic beverages, these alcohol-free options allow for social engagement without compromising wellness goals. 

Driven by changing social dynamics and a shift toward wellness, the trend towards reducing alcohol consumption or cutting it out entirely reflects a shift towards mindful living where people want to enjoy socializing without the negative effects of alcohol. Whether motivated by health, mental clarity, or simply a change in lifestyle, the range of alcohol alternatives is expanding, providing more options for those rethinking drinking. 

NC Solutions reported that more than two in five (41%) people were trying to drink less in 2024, a seven percent increase over 2023. Sixty-one percent of Gen Z planned to drink less in 2024, up 53% from 2023, and nearly half (49%) of millennials were doing the same, an increase of 26% from the previous year. 

One of the most noticeable developments in this space is the surge in availability of non-alcoholic beverages. From sophisticated mocktails to non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits, consumers are finding flavorful options that allow them to partake in social occasions without booze. Brands like Seedlip and Athletic Brewing have gained popularity for offering complex drinks that mimic traditional alcoholic beverages, minus the intoxicating effects.  

Venues and bars are also catching onto this trend, offering more alcohol-free options on their menus, and entirely alcohol free bars are also opening up. This shift allows people who are moderating or abstaining from alcohol to still enjoy the ritual of drinking, whether it’s a non-alcoholic beer at a pub or a mocktail at a dinner party. 

If not giving up alcohol entirely, the concept of mindful drinking encourages people to make more conscious choices about when, why, and how much they drink. The sober curious movement, meanwhile, invites people to reflect on their relationship with alcohol without necessarily committing to full-time sobriety.  

Some people are turning to other alternatives, like adaptogenic drinks, which are believed to reduce stress and support overall well-being. Wellness brand Apothékary, which promotes the use of herbs, adaptogens, and superfoods to help people achieve balance and well-being through natural products, markets its natural, plant-based tinctures as alcohol alternatives. These have names like Wine Down and Take the Edge Off.  

And cannabis, now widely legalized, it’s becoming an alternative for those seeking a different kind of buzz in some places. People are opting for THC and CBD products to unwind, particularly in social settings. A recent study even found that daily cannabis use has surpassed daily alcohol use in the U.S. for the first time. 

This growing trend reflects a broader cultural shift where people are increasingly prioritizing their health and well-being. The movement away from alcohol doesn’t mean the end of social drinking, but rather an evolution of how people think about drinking. As the demand for alcohol-free options rises, we will continue to see innovative beverages, wellness-based alternatives, and new ways for people to enjoy socializing without alcohol playing a central role.  

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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In 2025, wearable technology is not just tracking our steps; it’s transforming how we live, how we learn about our bodies, and how we make choices about our well-being. Moving beyond simple data points, wearables now deliver complex health insights in real time, empowering people to personalize their wellness journeys like never before. These devices could predict when you need to rest before burnout hits, detect subtle shifts in your hormonal balance, or adapt to your unique mental health rhythms.  

 Home-based health systems are also getting more sophisticated. Together, these technologies offer real-time, in depth health and wellbeing insights and allow people to track and manage these wherever we are. From real-time glucose, blood pressure, and heart rate tracking to AI-powered recommendations, the future promises deeper integration of wearables into our daily lives, turning our homes into self-monitored health hubs. 

AI integration is a key advancement, leveraging machine learning models to continuously adapt and personalize health suggestions based on an individual’s data. AI-enhanced decision-making aims to empower users to autonomously maintain better health by adjusting workout plans or following sleep recommendations, for example. This has been employed to date with varying degrees of success but the efforts continue.  

Wearables can allow for early detection of issues for those managing chronic health conditions like diabetes or hypertension , and make it easier to share data with healthcare providers for more informed care. 

Smart rings are a smaller, more discreet alternative to smartwatches and fitness trackers. The Oura Ring 3 or 4 is said to be the best smart ring available right now. Oura tracks your sleep, activity, and movement, and shines light beams (infrared and red and green LED) through the skin and uses sensors to measure respiratory rate, heart rate, blood oxygen level, and body temperature.  

Emteq Labs, meanwhile, recently announced the development of glasses using technology to  measure facial expressions, eating habits, attention, and physical activity, which the company promises will unlock “transformative insights into emotions and behaviors with profound impacts across a wide range of applications,” including weight management and mental health. 

 More wearables designed to support mental health include the Apollo Neuro, which claims to help manage stress and challenging life transitions, promote a healthy lifestyle, naturally calming the user’s mind and body with soothing vibration frequencies to aid with sleep, energy and focus. 

And wearables will track your hormonal health. Corti, for example, tracks the biomarkers cortisol and melatonin, and several inflammatory markers, through non-invasive passive sweat-sensor technology to monitor stress, sleep, and metabolic health. 

Also interesting: Researchers at Washington State University are exploring the potential for wearable devices and music to help manage substance abuse disorders, following the idea that reducing stress can help avoid potential relapse. 

Beyond wearables, smart home devices are playing a larger role in health monitoring. These technologies offer integrated solutions, from monitoring environmental conditions like air quality to using smart scales and mirrors that track body metrics and suggest adjustments in real-time.  

And ZOE, the microbiome testing company, wants to revolutionize personalized nutrition, and will analyze an individual’s gut microbiome, blood sugar responses, and dietary patterns, then offer tailored food recommendations to improve digestion and overall health. 

As these tools grow more sophisticated, they empower us to monitor and understand our bodies like never before, pointing to a future where we’re more in tune with our physical and mental health, making well-informed, proactive choices that enhance our quality of life.

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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Amid the whirlwind of modern life, the slow living and slow fitness movements are gaining traction, encouraging people to step back, breathe, and embrace a more intentional pace. Rejecting the high-intensity fitness culture, slow fitness emphasizes mindful movements that focus on long-term wellbeing, whether through yoga, tai chi, or even cozy cardio sessions at home.  

Slow fitness and slow living are interconnected lifestyle trends that emphasize mindfulness, balance, and sustainability. Both movements are a response to the fast-paced, overstimulating modern world, offering a more deliberate, intentional way of living. 

Slow fitness challenges high-intensity workout culture by focusing on a more mindful, body-aware approach to movement, encouraging people to move at their own pace, paying attention to form, breathing, and overall wellbeing. Activities like yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and long, mindful walks are associated with slow fitness. These emphasize the importance of connecting with the body and focusing on long-term health benefits over short-term physical gains. 

An extreme example is the TikTok trend of “cozy cardio,” which made the news earlier this year. CTV reported:

“This method of (minimal) calorie burning has gained popularity on TikTok and Instagram ever since a woman named Hope Zuckerbrow began posting videos in late 2022 … Cozy cardio simply involves walking in place — in the comfort of your home — using a mini treadmill or ‘walking pad.’ No stress, no membership fees, no preening for other, buffer-than-thou gym rats. And you can even have a cup of hot tea by your side.” 

Sounds nice, right? “Slow running,” meanwhile, is exactly what it sounds like: running at a slow pace that you could easily maintain for an hour rather than pushing to the limit. 

The slow fitness philosophy encourages people to view fitness as a lifelong practice.It promotes recovery, mental clarity, and emotional balance, helping individuals avoid burnout from excessive, high-intensity workouts.

Slow living is a broader lifestyle movement that emphasizes taking the time to enjoy life’s moments, whether that’s through slow eating, slow travel, or embracing minimalism. It’s about creating a more intentional, less hurried existence where quality is prioritized over quantity. Slow living encourages people to simplify their lives, reduce unnecessary stress, and live more sustainably. This often involves practices like reducing consumerism, spending more time in nature, and finding joy in small, everyday experiences. 

The BBC reports that millennials are embracing the concept and that the #SlowLiving hashtag has been used more than six million times on Instagram.

“Gen Z, meanwhile, have pioneered quiet quitting and ‘lazy girl jobs,’ where one does the minimum at work to preserve your energy for the more meaningful parts of your life, be that hobbies, relationships, or self-care. And people across the generations are united in wanting to work less: in the UK, the concept of the four-day week is gaining serious traction. To be facetious about it: hustle is out, and rest is in.”  – BBC 

The slow living movement is deeply tied to mindfulness and self care, offering a way to reconnect with what truly matters. It may involve adopting a minimalist lifestyle, reducing commitments, and being more present in the moment – a direct response to the pervasive culture of urgency. Slow living also promotes environmental consciousness, encouraging people to consume less and live in harmony with nature. 

While busy culture will not disappear, these trends reflect a growing shift in pockets of society toward wellness and sustainability, encouraging people to prioritize mental and physical health through intentional, thoughtful living. 

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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Good old walking is making a bold comeback in 2025 as people rediscover its holistic health benefits. In a world that increasingly values sustainability and mental clarity, long-distance walking offers a slower, more reflective form of exercise that blends physical fitness with mindfulness. As an antidote to high-intensity workouts, walking provides a gentler, meditative path to wellness, offering benefits for both body and mind.  

Increasing numbers of people are going the distance – on foot. For a while, low intensity exercise took a backseat to high-intensity workouts like CrossFit or HIIT, but partly driven by pandemic shutdowns and social distancing, between 2022 and 2023, low-intensity exercise saw a 176% increase in popularity , according to Well+Good.  

Last year, the Global Wellness Institute listed the Power of the Pilgrimage as a top trend for 2024, stating that pilgrimage trails worldwide are attracting unprecedented numbers of visitors.  

“Whether the 9th-century Camino de Santiago in Spain (in 2023, a record half a million people walked it) or Japan’s 88-temple Shikoku Trail. But a wave of new walking/hiking trails globally are creating cultural, historical and nature “pilgrimages”—because what the majority of modern pilgrims now seek lies beyond religious devotion. Recent data about the Camino de Santiago revealed that only 40% of walkers hitting its trails were walking for purely religious reasons. Most modern pilgrims are seekers, but they’re seeking a blended form of wellness: challenging physical activity, finding inner peace, being immersed in nature and local culture, and spiritual and personal growth. The line between the pilgrimage and the “epic walk” is blurring. And more countries are creating new epic walks and pilgrimages to fight their serious overtourism crises.” 

And the long-distance walking trend is continuing into 2025 as people look for more sustainable ways to stay fit and maintain overall wellness. This form of exercise is gentler on the body and easier to integrate into daily routines as it’s accessible and cost effective.  

Those championing the merits of long-distance walking say it offers a balance between physical activity and mental clarity that resonates with modern health goals. Walking regularly has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and dementia, and studies also suggest that walking may help reduce stress and improve cognitive performance, both because of the exercise and the time spent outdoors and in nature. Moreover, with increasing evidence highlighting the negative effects of prolonged sitting, walking offers a counterbalance, promoting circulation, improving posture, and strengthening muscles that weaken from inactivity.  

Very Well Health reports that “millions” of people have started prioritizing daily walks to boost their physical and mental health. And that some are taking the trend to the extreme, walking 10 miles, or more, in a single day. 

This trend is merging with luxury travel to create a new kind of wellness experience. Luxury walking holidays are combining walking with luxe accommodations and experiences. Dubbed “bootiquing” by Original Travel (via Country Living), this offers a more refined experience for hikers than the traditional rugged backpacking trips we think of when we think of long-distance walking. After exploring scenic trails, travelers can retreat to hotels that offer indulgent amenities like spas, gourmet dining, and dog-friendly services, ensuring both relaxation and elegance. 

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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In 2025, wellness has fully transcended the boundaries of gyms, spas, and health retreats, emerging as a constant companion in every corner of our lives. As we embrace more mobile and flexible routines, wellness practices accompany us from the comfort of our homes to bustling city streets and tranquil natural landscapes. From airports and hotels, to the workplace, and even our daily commutes, we are living wellness. 

Leading this shift is wearable technology, with the ability to give real-time prompts for wellness actions based on physical data no matter the time or place. Wearable wellness technology helps individuals manage stress, sleep, and energy on busy streets, at work, at home, and in the wild. These devices are a constant nudge to stop and focus on wellbeing. 

Wellness Tourism is one of the fastest-growing travel segments, according to the Global Wellness Institute, projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027. Airports worldwide are embracing dedicated wellness spaces. Lounges provide premium wellness options for travelers seeking relaxation and recovery during transit, offering amenities such as pre-flight facials, Peloton bikes, meditation spaces, massage chairs, and private nap pods. There are two yoga rooms at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, for example, where travelers can destress and stretch on provided mats. Visitors also find “inspiring” walking paths and an art program featuring multi-million dollar commissioned public art pieces and works of local, national, and international artists, including sculpture, paintings, and mosaics. 

Hotels are also making wellness an essential part of the guest experience, embedding each touchpoint to create an environment that encourages relaxation and restoration. Examples include advanced sleep-support technology, in-room fitness with interactive mirrors and yoga mats, and mobile apps that connect guests to custom workout routines. Many hotels also now offer guided excursions that combine physical activity and local culture, such as yoga in scenic spots or forest-bathing walks led by local guides. Dining is evolving, with plant-based, low-alcohol, and customizable options to suit dietary needs. Mental wellbeing is top of mind at many a luxury resort, where spa treatments are increasingly designed to renew, rejuvenate, and destress. 

Travel itineraries are adapting to offer a blend of restorative and active experiences. Walking retreats, wellness cruises, and nature-based mindfulness journeys are on the rise, providing immersive ways to connect with one’s surroundings while nurturing mental and physical health. 

And public spaces and workplaces have become wellness-integrated. Corporate offices are evolving into wellness-friendly environments with stations for quick rejuvenation breaks, mental health supports, and focused benefits programs. Parks and urban centers are also introducing wellness installations, like sensory gardens or soundscapes, to bring nature’s calm into the city. 

Wellness is even taking over nightlife, with increasing numbers of younger people forgoing alcohol and the bar scene and turning to evening activities like stargazing, yoga classes, hiking, and meditation instead. 

In 2025, wellness is an omnipresent companion, transforming the experience of daily life and travel. Self-care will be within reach everywhere, reshaping routines and environments to make wellness a constant support in an always busy world. 

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

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It’s time to look a the trends and developments that will rock the spa & wellness industry in 2024. Here’s one in our series and stay tuned for our upcoming guide: 7 SPA & WELLNESS TRENDS FOR 2024: A HOSPITALITY HANDBOOK

Some might scoff but science says music has the power to heal.

The therapeutic potential of music has become an area of keen scientific interest, specifically music as medicine. Unlike “music therapy,” music medicine does not require the expertise or involvement of a trained professional engaging the participant but can be as simple as listening to recorded tunes. The immersive experience of music therapy appears to provide more consistent benefits, but a number of studies suggest there are therapeutic advantages of mere listening.

Some might scoff, but the research is real and ongoing. A correlation has been found between listening to music and reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and physical pain. The Guardian reported recently that trials have even found that a regular prescription of music can reduce the blood pressure of people with hypertension enough to lower the risk of stroke by 13%. In some studies, participants were prescribed specific pieces, such as Bach’s Flute Sonata or Pachelbel’s Canon, but benefits are also correlated with music participants choose for themselves. 

Older work  published in the Lancet in 2015 by UK researchers found that “Listening to music before, during, or after a surgical procedure is beneficial to patients and can significantly reduce pain and anxiety, and decrease the need for pain medication, according to the most comprehensive review of the evidence so far, involving almost 7000 patients.”

According to a media brief, “even listening to music while under general anaesthetic reduced patients’ levels of pain, although the effects were larger when patients were conscious.”

Universal Music Group’s MUSIC + HEALTH SUMMIT

In September 2023, Universal Music Group (UMG), Thrive Global, and Havas Health hosted the first MUSIC + HEALTH summit, exploring the relationship between music and health, and discussing recent research documenting music’s therapeutic and medical benefits. The event showcased innovators and technology integrating music into products and services devoted to fitness and wellbeing. 

UMG also announced that it was licensing digital therapeutic company soundBrilliance to use selections from its catalog in clinical trials for music and health research, and introduced Sollos, a forthcoming music-centric wellness app that uses cognitive science and proprietary audio technology to support focus, relaxation and sleep.

Music as treatment for brain injuries and menstrual pain

In similar developments, researchers at the University of Alberta are currently exploring whether prescribing music could enhance medication efficacy and reduce health-care visits due to adverse drug effects. And a Portland startup that uses sensors, software and music to help people with brain injuries recover their ability to walk has gotten the go ahead from the Food and Drug Administration to market their product, InTandem. Feasibility studies have shown promising results for similar therapies to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. 

Another example is Moonai, a Barcelona company that developed a mobile app using music to help women suffering from menstrual pain. Music Ally reported that, even in its initial pilot stage, the app was chosen as App Of The Day by Apple in several countries.

“We haven’t spent a penny on marketing in the last two years, but we just reached 17,500 users organically, with more than 25,000 downloads,” CEO Laura-June Clarke told Music Ally.

The most relaxing music in the world

The UK Telegraph reported in 2011 that, according to research, a track called “Weightless” by Manchester trio Marconi Union  was associated with slow breathing, reduced brain activity, and an average 65% reduction in overall anxiety. The group worked with sound therapists to create the track, which contains harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines designed to help slow heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. 

Hear the track:

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leader in guest management, revenue and mobile solutions for the most exclusive spas, hotels, and resorts around the globe. Learn more at book4time.com.

Image by Freepik

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Personalized nutrition focuses on the individual  with customized diets based on individual factors like microbiome and metabolism.

According to Harvard School of Public Health, personalized nutrition, also referred to as precision nutrition, focuses on the individual rather than groups of people. This means customizing diets based on individual factors like microbiome, metabolism, genetics, physical activity, and more.

It’s been on the radar for several years but has recently been garnering generalized interest.

According to Wired:

“When the term ‘personalized nutrition’ first appeared in the scientific literature, in 1999, the focus was on using computers to help educate people about their dietary needs. It wasn’t until 2004 that scientists began to think about the way genes affect how and what we eat, and how our bodies respond. Take coffee, for instance: Some people metabolize caffeine and the other nutrients in coffee in a productive, healthy way. Others don’t. Which camp you fall into depends on a host of factors including your genetics, age, environment, gender, and lifestyle.”

Researchers have been studying connections between gut microbiome health and conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression. The gut microbiome consists of more than 1000 species of bacteria and microbes. It produces hormones, digests food that the stomach can’t, and sends thousands of diet-derived chemicals through our bodies every day. The microbiome is “the basis of the growth in personalized nutrition.”

The Harvard website explains that studies focusing on individual responses to food have found “substantial variations in blood responses of glucose and triglycerides even if individuals are eating identical meals. The person’s microbiome was found to cause variations in blood triglycerides after a meal. Non-food factors like sleep, physical activity, and time of meals also played a role in causing variations in blood levels of glucose and triglycerides after meals.”

This suggests that individuals may see benefits from following personalized nutrition guidance beyond general health recommendations. “Precision nutrition evaluates one’s DNA, microbiome, and metabolic response to specific foods or dietary patterns to determine the most effective eating plan to prevent or treat disease.”

Consumers are reportedly seeking out personalized eating approaches tailored to their unique needs driven in part by awareness of the microbiome’s connection to mental wellbeing and immune function. 

Common examples of personalized nutrition include the allergen-free diet or those designed to remove triggers like the gluten free or low FODMAP diets. People have more recently become interested in expanding applications of these personalized designs.

Challenges reportedly include data and methodological issues. Collecting and analyzing data, for example, is a complex task, though one that people are working on every day in pretty much every industry; while growth areas include tech-enabled, hyper-specific recommendations and solutions for a range of specific needs and consumer segments and personalized diagnostic services.

Hospitality companies may one day soon find themselves offering highly personalized food and beverage options to every guest.

See more 2023 wellness trends: 8 WELLNESS TRENDS FOR 2023: A HOSPITALITY HANDBOOK

Spa Executive is published by Book4Time, the leading cloud-based spa management software for the world’s top hotels and resorts, used by more Forbes 5-Star rated spas than any other vendor. Learn more at book4time.com.

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