2021 Wellness Trends: The Year in Review

Eat Move Think experts nutritionist Leslie Beck (eat), our host Shaun Francis (move), psychologist Dr. Jack Muskat (think) and Dr. Peter Nord (medicine) discuss the year that was, make their picks for the wellness trend that dominated the last 12 months, and speculate about what's to come in 2022.   Episode 95 webpage   We'll get to links and insights in a moment, but first: Our 100th episode is coming up! And want to hear from you: What's YOUR best eat, move or think tip? We'll use the best optimal wellness suggestions in episode 100. To submit your tip, record a quick video or voice note on your phone, and send it to [email protected].   LINKS   Leslie Beck on plant-based eating.  Famous CEOs talk about the benefits and problems of the hybrid work arrangements that so trouble Dr. Jack Muskat.  Discussing the way social isolation can contribute to addictive behaviours, Dr. Jack Muskat is in conversation with psychologist Marc Lewis in Eat Move Think episode 90.  Dr. Peter Nord's pick for a top wellness theme of 2021 was virtual medicine. And the pendulum has shifted so far toward virtual care that the government of Ontario has asked doctors to do more in-person appointments. The "gamification of fitness" theme that so fascinated Shaun Francis happened thanks to the mainstream enthusiasm for such connected fitness equipment as Peloton, Tonal, Hydrow and Lululemon Mirror.   INSIGHTS   According to Medcan director of food and nutrition Leslie Beck, plant-based eating was one of the biggest food trends of the past year, with sales of plant-based "meats" booming. Part of the reason is that livestock production is among the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting to a more plant based diet is one way to help reduce global warming. In fact, demand for plant-based options is greatest among flexitarians, those who eat a primarily vegetarian diet but occasionally also eat meat and fish. [03:24, 06:15]   Dr. Jack Muskat, Medcan's clinical director of mental health, believes the "think" theme of 2021 has to do with the lingering effects of social isolation. Humans are social animals, and yet we've talked ourselves into believing that we're okay with radically less social contact than before. Take hybrid work, which results in physical separation from coworkers. The psychological and emotional fallout of social isolation has been stress, fear, anger, paranoia, unwillingness to do things, unwillingness to try things. What Dr. Muskat calls "cognitive fog." [13:35]   Combating the isolating effects of hybrid work takes effort from employers, Dr. Muskat says. One technique that he likes is used by Medcan: Weekly "high five" emails that allow colleagues to publicly recognize extraordinary work from coworkers. The emails include photos, and Dr. Muskat uses them as an excuse to introduce himself to other staff. So it creates a positive feedback loop. [21:07]   In medicine, according to Medcan chief medical officer Dr. Peter Nord, the biggest sea change happened with virtual medicine, which has taken off in the last year. Before the pandemic, our health care was built around the convenience of the providers—the doctors—saying, this is how I run my day, and the patients fit into that. Virtual care shifts things so the locus of control is sliding more to the patient side, Dr. Nord says. [23:23, 27:03] Eat Move Think host and Medcan CEO Shaun Francis believes the biggest "move" trend of 2021 involved the "gamification" of fitness borne out by the new wave of connected fitness equipment like Peloton, Tonal, Hydrow and the Lululemon Mirror. Now, regardless of where you're physically located, it's possible to go on rides, runs and workouts with other human beings in a community, in real-time, amping up competition with oneself, and other participants. [30:08]