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Urban wellness is all about collectively striving toward better emotional, mental, and environmental well-being in an urban environment. A large portion of the world’s population lives in cities, including many “Millennials” and “Gen Z.”
There are some unique challenges that come with city living. These may include increased pollution exposure, limited access to green spaces, and longer commute times due to heavy traffic. Urban wellness focuses on making city living and wellness more complementary to each other.
How Millennials and Gen Z Are Redefining Urban Wellness
According to a McKinsey survey of more than 5,000 consumers, Gen Z and Millennials purchase far more wellness services and products than the generations before them. This could be partially due to the fact that there are more wellness products and services available now than in previous decades. However, Millennials and Gen Z also tend to give both physical and mental wellness higher priority than their parents and grandparents.
Millennials and Gen Z aren’t just avid consumers of health and wellness products. They’re also at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Here are some of the ways these two generations are redefining urban wellness.
Removing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Care
Decades ago, talking about mental illness could get you ostracized, made fun of, or even thrown into a mental health facility against your will. So, it’s understandable that many older adults still struggle with feelings of discomfort surrounding mental health topics. Fortunately, Millennials and Gen Z are helping to remove the stigma surrounding mental health care so it finally gets the positive attention it deserves.
Millennials are sometimes referred to as the “anxious generation,” due to their high stress levels. However, this seeming setback has actually given many Millennials a more advanced and compassionate view of mental health. Along with Gen Z, they’re prioritizing mental health care and driving the increase of online counseling services available in urban environments.
Prioritizing the Pursuit of Wellness
Gen Z and Millennials tend to be more wellness-centered than the generations before them. They prioritize staying fit and attractive as well as maintaining optimal physical and mental health. They also tend to rely on proactive health measures instead of focusing on traditional, symptoms-based healthcare.
The shift toward maintaining health instead of treating health problems after they arise is having a heavy influence on the wellness industry. It’s driving increased innovation and availability of proactive health products and services. It’s also leading to an increased number of stores offering a wide variety of whole food options.
Embracing Technology’s Role in Promoting Health
Millennials and Gen Z rely significantly on technology in many different aspects of their lives, including health maintenance. This trend is changing how health and wellness companies cater to their customers. The digital wellness revolution is facilitating a shift toward more mobile platforms and apps that make it easier to track and maintain health. While in-person healthcare probably won’t ever go away completely, digital healthcare continues to grow in popularity.
For example, more health providers are now utilizing AI to help diagnose patients and maintain a comprehensive health history. Insurance companies now make it easier to get digital health insurance quotes without having to talk to an agent. Fitness apps simplify the process of tracking exercises and food consumption so users have an easier time maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Paving the Way to Better Work-Life Balance
Businesses that want to attract the interest of talented young professionals better be prepared to prioritize wellness in the workplace. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to demand improved work-life balance than their parents or grandparents. Wise employers implement workplace wellness programs and offer other services designed to improve the work environment.
Many businesses are choosing to offer on-site gyms, group exercise sessions, and healthier lunchroom snack options. Emphasizing workplace wellness isn’t just a great way to make your employees happy. It can also increase your profits by boosting productivity and reducing turnover ratse. Happy, healthy employees tend to be high-performing employees, which is good news for everyone involved!
Driving the Personalized Health and Wellness Trend
Health and wellness programs used to be delivered on a one-size-fits-all basis. Obviously, this wasn’t the most effective way to deliver the best results for every person. Each person’s genetics, health conditions, and personal preferences are unique. Therefore, a personalized approach to fitness and health tends to be much more effective at delivering the intended results.
Gen Z and Millennials are turning to personalized wellness plans in greater numbers in their quest for optimal health. Their demand for tailored wellness solutions is creating some big waves in the wellness market and revealing new business opportunities. Personalized healthcare solutions are rising in popularity and could result in improved longevity and life quality going forward.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, Millennials and Gen Z aren’t spoiled or demanding when it comes to prioritizing their physical and mental wellness. Instead, they understand that health affects all aspects of their lives, so they give it the attention it deserves. Their tireless effort to change old-fashioned wellness trends is paving the way to a brighter, healthier future for people living in urban environments..