A World of Wellness: Our Favorite Global Trends

New Zealanders make the most of their country’s stunning landscapes and wide-open spaces, embracing the outdoors through every kind of sporting activity imaginable. No wonder the Kiwi lifestyle is so famously laid back. In 2019, Kiwi health and wellness officially became a government priority with the implementation of a "Wellbeing Budget," with funds earmarked toward reducing emissions, creating new socioeconomic opportunities, leveling the playing field for the Maori community, and raising awareness around mental health. In 2021, the government launched a 10-year, high-level plan to completely overhaul the nation’s approach to mental wellbeing and proactively support all residents.

There’s a reason why "sauna" is the only Finnish word that appears in the English dictionary. For more than 2,000 years, the tradition has been central to the Finnish way of life—and today, an estimated one sauna exists for every two people. Nearly 100% of Finns take a sauna at least once a week, with die-hard devotees taking one almost every day. You’ll find them in homes, apartment buildings, hotels, offices, lakeside retreats, and even city streets.

The dry heat in a sauna can reach over 200 degrees Fahrenheit—and while one must be in good cardiovascular health to partake, the purported health benefits outweigh any discomfort. Among them: improved circulation, muscle relaxation, lower blood pressure, better breathing, and—perhaps above all—a sense of calm and wellbeing as you leave the stress of modern life behind. Do as the Finns do, and embrace a sense of community—while letting go your inhibitions.

Yes, you can experience more traditional bathing in a Japanese onsen—but you don’t need to get wet to appreciate the latest trend in stress relief, which recently made its way to the U.S. Shinrin-yoku, "forest bathing," means soaking up nature. It’s not just taking in the view, but using all five senses, which requires actually being outside in a green space. At the same time, it is not about exercise, but relaxation: letting nature fill you, instead of you filling it with activity. Simply get out there, breathe deep, and take it all in.

Japan’s Forest Ministry began promoting shinrin-yoku in 1982, promising that benefits would follow. The authorities weren’t wrong. Since then, research has shown that practitioners of shinrin-yoku enjoy reduced stress and stronger immune systems.

Geothermal hot springs—which contain mineral-rich waters heated by underground lava flows—are known for their healing properties as much as they are for pure recreation. Locals and visitors alike bathe in these hot springs all year long, the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik being one of the most popular. It features a man-made lagoon, but it is nature that provides the steaming water, which can get as hot as 98-102 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat provides similar benefits to a sauna, like increased circulation and stress relief; while the mineral content of the water softens and heals skin.

In the Buddhist religion, the sustained ringing of a singing bowl accompanies chanting or meditation, and the sound alone promotes relaxation. As a result, alternative medicine practitioners have incorporated singing bowls into their healing rituals. Proponents believe that the vibrations encourage harmony within every cell in the body, clarifying the mind and heightening intuition. While little scientific evidence exists to corroborate the claims, exposure to the sound has been shown to decrease pain intensity and lower blood pressure.

Creating the sound is a meditation in itself: run the wooden mallet along the edge of the bowl in a circular motion until you hear a bright, clear tone, and reduce the speed of the motion to sustain it. It makes a beautiful and functional souvenir to bring home.

Communal bathing is a common theme on this list—but the Moroccan hammam experience has an intensity all its own. Depending on the hammam, you’ll either be given black soap or required to bring it yourself; made with olive oil and eucalyptus, the soap’s antibacterial and moisturizing properties have earned it a cult status here in the U.S. But one does not merely wash with this soap. The hammam brings new meaning to the term "exfoliation," especially when you allow an attendant to do the scrubbing for you. Layers of your skin will literally slough off.

For most Moroccans, the hammam is a weekly social activity, and witnessing this can be an especially eye-opening experience for women: while Moroccan women are covered from head to toe in public, they bare it all at the hammam. The convivial atmosphere offers a window into the daily lives of women and our perception of their freedom.

While Thai massage is sometimes recommended for anyone squeamish about nudity, the ability to remain fully clothed is the perhaps the only comfortable aspect of the technique—especially if you’re used to Swedish massage. But if you can withstand the physical demands, you’ll appreciate the benefits. More than the simple rubbing of muscles, Thai massage involves constant physical contact between the client and the masseuse, who manipulates the body into stretches and positions akin to yoga. Depending on the tightness of your muscles, it may be difficult to avoid discomfort—but if you enjoy a massage that "hurts so good," give the Thai variety a try. In addition to relaxation and energy stimulation, regular practice can improve flexibility—much like a traditional yoga practice, with far less effort on your part.

Today, millions of people worldwide practice many different forms of yoga—some of which are geared toward fitness and exercise. But in the fifth century, when the concept of yoga in ancient India began to resemble modern practice, it was purely spiritual in nature—and not intended as a workout. While the exact origins are difficult to trace—with roots dating back up to 5,000 years—the poses likely originated as a form of self-discipline amongst Vedic priests. By around 400 A.D., Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains had adopted the practice as a way to broaden consciousness and achieve a higher level of being.

In the 20th century, yoga reached the Western world, peaking in popularity in the 1960s when Hindu spirituality became popular in the U.S. If you practice yoga, regardless of which school you prefer—or how closely it adheres to tradition—a visit to the land where it originated might deepen your appreciation and understanding.