Wellness Synced with Tech and Mind-Body Therapy

From somatic therapy to the rise of wellness realty, 2024 saw the world seeking deeper, sustainable solutions for optimal well-being

- Tanisha Saxena, Shrenik Avlani

Women's health took the front seat; digital tools democratized therapy and the body came into focus as the seat to heal trauma in 2024. This year's trends also reflected a collective yearning for deeper, smarter, and more sustainable solutions. While biohacking and longevity increased our curiosity, this was also the year when an alternative modality for self-care like 'manifestation' went so mainstream, Cambridge Dictionary declared it word of the year. Everyone's looking for solutions for optimal wellbeing and Mint's roundup of wellness and fitness trends for the year shares a glimpse into how the world went about accomplishing it.

Heal the Body

In 2024, somatic therapy went mainstream. Rooted in the idea that trauma and emotional experiences are stored within the body, these therapies offer an alternative to traditional talk therapy. "Individuals who have experienced severe trauma, children with intellectual disabilities, or elderly people nearing the end of their lives may struggle to engage with evidence-based therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Somatic and art-based therapies become crucial in these situations," says Dr Sneha Rooh, a Delhi-based palliative care physician and somatic therapist. Wellness retreats in India are increasingly embracing somatic therapy, blending physical movement with emotional healing. Centers like Oceanic Yoga in Goa and Swar Yog Peeth in Rishikesh now offer immersive retreats focused on trauma release through body-centered practices. "Trauma and memories are stored not just in our minds but deep within our cells, making somatic therapy essential for true healing. This form of therapy works with the body ('Soma' in Greek) to release trapped emotions such as anger and sadness," says Dr Ramon Llamba from Golden Age Isvara, a holistic wellness center in Delhi.

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