Spotlight Issue No.23
Wellbeing
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LIVING LONGER AND BETTER
As life expectancies are rising, people are reconsidering what it means to be ‘well’, from enhanced tracking tools to the simple pleasures of a shared meal. Younger generations are undoubtedly more health conscious, but happiness in the present moment matters just as much.
‘I want to live a happy life as opposed to a just a longer life because you could live a long life and not be happy. So I'd rather prioritise happiness.’ Female, 23, Central London
By 2050, the number of people living to 100 is expected to increase eightfold to 3.7 million.
This is fuelling a shift from simply preserving youth to also sustaining vitality through approaches that span preventative medicine and advanced diagnostics to lifelong physical activity and social connection.
Meanwhile, the wellness economy continues to accelerate, even as spending on luxury goods slows. Now worth $6.3 trillion globally, it’s nearly four times the size of the pharmaceutical industry.
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Aging Well programmes, courtesy of Bluceira, Portugal
Living a long life is something in the background, living a fulfilling life is something I am actively planning
Female, 20, South London
SOCIAL REWILDING
Longevity isn’t simply about individual health and extended life spans; according to Stanford research, ‘healthy networks of social connection’ can increase the odds of long-term survival by 50%.
'Surrounding yourself with good people in a good environment helps people to live longer because you're more motivated.' Female, 23, East London
Issue 22 explored sustainable travel strategies, including socially-oriented activities, which illustrates the role of wellness within the travel industry.
The longevity programme at luxury health retreat Palazzo Fiuggi, Italy, now treats human connection as a leading dimension, with group hikes and shared dinners providing a more enjoyable approach to longevity.
Other brands are tapping into this trend with accessible add-ons to trips, such as Banyan Tree’s private wellbeing journeys ‘designed to nurture togetherness’ between you and your travel companion.
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Courtesy of Palazzo Fiuggi
COMMUNITY CAPITAL
On a community-level, public spaces like Oslo’s floating Trosten sauna want to “offer retreat and contemplation for all”, considering the needs of a wide range of visitors through inclusive, universal design.
Elsewhere, Edge City offers a more roving interpretation of community, transforming overlooked urban spaces into month-long pop-up villages uniting tech, science and creative communities. The focus is on multi-generational as well as multi-disciplinary, with a “default healthy” approach.
‘I'm not saying it’s not powerful or empowering to be part of an online group or community but you don't really get that same intimate connection with people.' Male, 23, East London
'I think having great connections with people and meeting new people is also important for longevity because it exposes you to lots of different types of people and attitudes.' Female, 20, South London
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Oslo’s Trosten floating sauna by Estudio Herreros. Photography by Einar Aslaksen.
RESTORATIVE FOOD
Growing consumer knowledge of nutrition combined with the difficulty of accessing routine healthcare in some countries has accelerated the perception of food as medicine and the first line of defence. From nutrient-dense cupboard staples to highly functional ingredients targeting whole body health, this builds on themes we first explored in Issue 10.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s Food is Medicine initiative in the US supports patients in treatment for diabetes and cardiovascular disease with ‘produce subscriptions, medically tailored meals, or healthy grocery programs’.
Yale University’s student-led HAVEN Food Pharmacy partnership offers primary care to uninsured community members, while also fighting food insecurity with food pharmacy prescriptions.
This broader view of food as restorative also shapes how we experience hospitality. At Casa Lawa, a creative guesthouse in Sicily, food is woven into the rhythm of retreat life as a foundation for living well.
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Courtesy of Casa Lawa
RESTORATIVE FOOD
Meanwhile in Singapore, fine dining concept Asu draws on Traditional Chinese Medicine to create seasonal tasting menus that explore the healing potential of food. It’s a reflection of the Historical Renaissance we covered in Issue 20, where ancient wisdom is revived for modern audiences.
'Food is a big part of my social and cultural life, and I guess minding what I eat will also help me live longer.' Female, 19, North London
'Certain foods change your energy.' Male, 21, South London
However, while a healthy diet can reduce risks of certain diseases, it cannot and should not replace conventional medicine for most issues and illnesses despite what online wellness influencers or viral TikToks might suggest.
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Fiddlehead Fern is designed to 'clear heat and detoxify'. Courtesy of Asu
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Looking ahead, AI-enabled technology is expanding its presence in the health and wellness sectors with the potential to transform how consumers engage with and manage their health.
While AI can tools can lower barriers of access to mental health services, a recent research project highlighted strong concerns from service users and therapists on the ground.
In the UK, 76% of NHS staff support the use of AI in patient care, compared to just over half (54%) of the public, which signals that medical professionals are more unified in their support, likely recognising its potential to ease pressure on an over-stretched system whereas consumer concerns about empathy and accountability linger.
'AI can be beneficial in a limited way like reducing NHS bureaucracy but there's a lot of contradicting ideas. It's hard to know who to trust, and what information is actually reliable.' Female, 23, Central London
'You're forced to use tech like apps, but it's not as reliable as a person.' Male, 23, South London
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
In the wellness sector, AI-powered tools such as Magic Tech’s mirror provide personalised insights and fitness plans, based on direct analysis of performance.
Oura’s Personal Health Companion checks in with users to help them understand long-term health trends, with a customisable ‘tone of voice’ for that added personal touch.
Hume AI takes this idea of humanising tech further, offering emotion-aware voice interfaces that can detect subtle shifts in tone and mood, opening the door to wellness tools that not only respond, but truly listen.
However, while health innovation continues to attract investment and media attention, it's worth noting that awareness and adoption among younger users remains relatively low, with a continued preference for human intervention.
'Having emotional support from my AI would be redundant because family and friends are better for this.' Female, 23, North London
'If there was more of a guarantee of the accuracy of the AI, then I wouldn't be against it but I don't think it should have the final say.' Male, 22, East London
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Courtesy of Oura
SIMPLE PLEASURES
There are notable counter-trends to hyper-optimised, longevity-focused wellness.
61% consumers feel pressure from society to support their wellbeing in specific ways, rising to 76% of Gen Z. In fact, 45% of people of all ages are experiencing ‘wellbeing burnout’ demonstrating that the pressure to improve can be detrimental to our wellbeing.
This has led to return to ‘analogue’ wellness with consumers and wellness practitioners returning to a more intuitive approach to listening to body signals, without the analytics provided by digital devices.
Brands and organisations are embracing enjoyment, indulgence and simple pleasures as vital elements of longevity and wellness.
This has led to a revival of family-style meals in the workplace that foster connection, and joy-fuelled events like Club Chess, which draws on ‘80s club culture where indulgence is strongly encouraged.
'I'm not going to lie, when I do think about my future, I just think about enjoying life.' Female, 20, South London
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Club Chess at Le Bain NYC