The global pandemic has invited us to look at our health in a different way. Gone are the days of slaving away at our desks without eating lunch, or suffering through a persistent cough; wellness has become a top priority for many around the world.
But wellness is about more than popping a few vitamins and drinking kombucha. Nutrition, health, sleep, sex, and fitness – it’s all part of the package. So, just what can we expect when it comes to the wellness trends for 2022?
From magic mushrooms to the latest sex trends, here are a few things experts are claiming will be big as 2022 continues to unfold:
Mushroom Coffee
Much like the coffee culture in the Mother City, mushrooms are not be trifled with! The ‘shroom boom’ is upon us and it’s all thanks to the medicinal and therapeutic properties that come with mushrooms. While the Americano and cappuccino may still be the king of coffees, mushroom coffee is slowly coming for the thrown.
Mushrooms like Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps are teeming with benefits that help to reduce stress and offer antioxidant protection, enhance energy levels without feeling jittery, regulate mood, and sharpen focus. With so many benefits, how can you not hop on this health trend?
Not sure where to grab your cup in Cape Town? Lexi’s Healthy Eatery and Conscious Kitchen are a few great places to start.

No more drinking?
If there’s one thing South Africans are good at, it’s downing a few bottles of beer. However, the pandemic coupled with a lockdown on alcohol has allowed us to ‘see the light’ when it comes to non-alcoholic drinks, and the trend is here to stay, say experts.
“A growing awareness and accountability for own personal health and wellness,” is leading the charge when it comes to picking up a bottle of non-alcoholic beer instead of alcohol. As the trend continues to gain traction in our everyday lives, its become more acceptable for non-drinkers to grab a few bottles of non-alcoholic beverages at the local bar without getting a few strange looks – and that’s a good thing.

Ditching shame around sex
Sex has always been a bit of a taboo subject, but once again, the pandemic has shifted a few things. Lockdown was a strange time for many of us. Stuck at home with our significant other for a prolonged period of time, or stuck with ourselves. According to numerous studies, the sale of sex toys skyrocketed during the pandemic with sex positivity here to stay.
Important conversations are currently taking place around the female anatomy, something which has been looked at with confusion and disgust over the years. Netflix documentaries such as The Principles of Pleasure and Sex and Love & Goop are looking to change the conversation around sex and women’s pleasure, with this wellness trend big ‘YES.’

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