What Will We Do To Stay Well In 2022? (Other Than Masking, Getting Vaccinated, Installing HEPA Filters And Physical Distancing, That Is) – Toronto Star

According to the experts at a number of outlets, this year is going to see a lot of us going to great lengths to de-stress and take care of ourselves. That’s probably a good thing, given that the new year is already looking a little, well, challenging.

Regenerative Travel

Even those of us who tend to prefer more ambitious and stimulating travel adventures have probably contemplated the virtues of a resort over the past year or two. Especially if it’s one of those places that has free PCR tests before checkout. With life becoming so complicated and full of tough decisions, it’s natural to crave something predictable and easy where we can just fully reboot, which is why “regenerative travel” is being predicted as the next big thing.

The question is whether or not any travel whatsoever is in the cards for most of us this year. And if we’re lucky enough to have relative freedom of movement, I bet most of us will be happy to go pretty much anywhere. Almost all travel is regenerative in my experience.

Rage Rooms

Speaking of escapes, Pinterest Predicts, a trend report released by the social media platform that makes predictions based on user search terms, says that “emotional escape rooms” are a hot topic these days. Some folks are planning tiny libraries, others want crystal rooms and meditation spaces, while others are looking to build a “rage room.” Searches for safe spaces in which to be mad as hell are up 150 per cent. Make mine soundproof, please.

Green Living

Houseplants, particularly succulents, have been having a moment for years now, but plant decor is about to get a lot more interesting thanks to millennials who are searching for ways to take it up a notch and cover walls, staircases and even ceilings with plants and flowers. They’re inspired by something called “biophilic design,” which is about intertwining nature with our surroundings, since being around green things is helpful for managing stress and anxiety.

Pinterest Predicts also says people are looking to #catify rooms and build luxury dog rooms for their pandemic puppies. What’s interesting about all three of these home renovation/decor trends amongst pinners is that they indicate a lot of people are looking for ways to make homes a sanctuary in which we can cope with stress by caring for our fur-children and orchids. Or simply screaming into the void.

Wellness Television

Even though it’s not clear if “Goop Lab” is coming back for a second season, trend experts predict we’ll see a lot more wellness programming along the lines of Netflix’s “Headspace Guide to Sleep” and “The Mind, Explained.” No good can come of this. Even if there’s plenty of good information being broadcast, we should resist thinking that the road to healthy living begins by sitting on the couch and binge-watching shows.

Vibrate Higher

Surprisingly, this is not a sex thing. Some people talk about “raising their vibration” and, while it’s unclear how exactly you’d measure your precise frequency, most of the tips I found online for helping you “vibrate higher” are exercise and mindfulness practice. And, since we’re always learning more about the awesome power of both of those things to help combat stress, well, call it whatever you want. Hard to say if you can hit the perfect frequency without building a special vibration room, though.

Immune Support

It’s a safe bet that we’re going to hear a lot about immune function over the next little bit, which is why every list has a spot for immune boosts. (Thanks, Omicron.)

Some suggestions for keeping our T-cells on their toes will be supported by science. Others, not so much, so be wary. There’s a lot of research being done into the gut health-immune function these days, so expect to see a push on probiotics for immune health, even though at this point most registered dietitians still recommend eating lots of fibre as the best way to boost our microbiome. For most of us, looking after our immune system and staying healthy involves following public health advice, eating well, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and managing stress.

And since we’re all about to redecorate our homes and create separate rooms for our pets, plants, crystals, vibrations and seething rage, stress should be under control for most of us.

We may not be facing the easiest year, but if we take care of each other and ourselves, we’ll do the best we can.