BY K . M . KELLY n T . J . REEVES , PH . D . n P . C . YESAWICH , PH . D .

The WELLSurvey™ , a new national probability study of U . S . adults ’ attitudes toward wellness and well-being , identified a growing segment of consumers who are deeply engaged in their pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle . This cohort , between 21 and 35 years of age , is “ WELLZoomers TM . ” They are more likely than older age

The WELLSurvey , co-authored by Civano Advisory Services ’ CEO Kevin Kelly and MMGY Global co-founder Dr . Peter Yesawich , explores the health and wellness attitudes , behaviors and intentions of U . S . consumers . Based on insights from 1,002 participants , the independent research study offers actionable strategies for engaging market segments and highlights how consumers perceive wellness as practical and measurable , while viewing well-being as aspirational and emotional . Here , the authors , joined by researcher Dr . Tegan Reeves , further analyze study findings relative to the spa industry .

groups to live in an urban environment , be single , track their health metrics with wearables , embrace spa and wellness products and measure their well-being emotionally . However , 42 percent are significantly more likely to feel anxious , and 39 percent feel more stressed out . While WELLZoomers are generally optimistic , several of their key drivers and behaviors are concerning : l Take medication ( 35 %) l Regularly use recreational marijuana ( 41 %) l Feel overwhelmed by responsibilities ( 33 %)

l Have trouble concentrating ( 32 %) l Use recreational drug ( s ) to calm down after work ( 23 %) l Consume alcohol to calm down after work ( 20 %)

We posit there are a few external forces — social media platforms , information technology and fragmented healthcare — contributing to their palpable anxiety . Fortunately , 78 percent of WELLZoomers regularly use spa services , alternative medical practices or healing therapies — the highest concentration among all age cohorts in the survey . Therefore , the spa and wellness industry is uniquely poised to address this emerging malaise by using scientific and experiential outcomes to help WELLZoomers manage their stress effectively .

Feelings of anxiety are emotional signals that , when combined with physiological responses , encourage action . Furthermore , the nervous system that regulates these signals may be strengthened and made more agile . Armed with this understanding , wellness providers are empowered to help WELLZoomers , indeed all consumers , achieve and enjoy a healthy lifestyle of well-being .

Information and Healthcare Factors Advancements in information dissemination and healthcare have yielded immense benefits for adults interested in pursuing healthier lifestyles but with some unintended consequences . Specifically , the tsunami of information now available through technology , combined with a fragmented approach to healthcare delivery , has coalesced to elevate the anxiety of WELLZoomers . They are inundated with a constant stream of stimuli that fuels increased anxiety . In his book , Thank You for Being Late , Tom Friedman references MIT professor Dr . Sherry Turkle ’ s hypothesis that the younger generation who grew up in the digital age and are more adept at the use of emerging technology face stressful pressures to stay up to date and be connected , and are inundated with information and imagery . They , therefore , need to manage the psychological effects of being constantly plugged in . Image-based social media

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