The 150-page report, the longest-running forecast produced by the Global
Wellness Summit, reflects insights from hundreds of global health and wellness
experts. It highlights significant shifts following rapid market changes driven
by medicalised wellness, diagnostics, wearables, and longevity technologies,
alongside rising demand for more human, emotional, and social approaches to
wellbeing.
According to the report, 2026 will be characterised by market corrections
and structural changes, with particular emphasis on women’s health, the
evolution of longevity beyond clinics, and wellness responses to environmental
and human crises.
One central theme identified for 2026 is an over-optimization backlash
within wellness. As data-driven health tracking intensifies, wellness experiences are
expected to move away from constant measurement toward emotional repair,
pleasure, and sensory engagement. This shift is reflected in trends such as the
festivalization of wellness, which includes collective, music- and movement-led
gatherings focused on catharsis and social connection, as well as the renewed
focus on creative self-expression through practices such as fragrance layering.
The report positions 2026 as a pivotal year for women’s health, particularly in longevity and sports. It highlights that longevity science and services have historically been designed around male biology, while new research underscores the distinct role of ovarian health in women’s aging. Future longevity models are expected to focus on women’s healthspan across all life stages, with tailored diagnostics and interventions. At the same time, the women’s sports economy is described as reaching a structural tipping point, with expanding professional leagues, rising female fandom, and growing commercial influence of women athletes.
Longevity is also expected to expand into new sectors. The report
identifies the emergence of longevity-focused residential developments, where
preventive medicine, diagnostics, and health monitoring are integrated into
daily living environments. In parallel, beauty is being reshaped by the concept
of skin longevity, shifting attention from anti-aging toward skin regeneration,
long-term function, and advanced diagnostics.
Another major focus for 2026 is wellness as a response to environmental and
human crises. Disaster preparedness is presented as an emerging pillar of
wellness, with readiness planning becoming as essential as fitness or
nutrition. The report also addresses microplastics as a growing human health
issue, noting increasing evidence of microplastics in the human body and the
movement from awareness toward intervention. In addition, neurowellness is
identified as a fast-growing area, with nervous system regulation becoming
central to addressing burnout, sleep disruption, and chronic stress through
both technology-driven and somatic practices.
The report identifies the ten wellness trends for 2026 as Women Get Their
Own Lane in Longevity, The Over-Optimization Backlash, The Rise of
Neurowellness, Fragrance Layering, Ready Is the New Well, Skin Longevity
Redefines Beauty, The Festivalization of Wellness, Women and Sports: The
Revolution Continues, Tackling Microplastics as a Human Health Issue, and
Longevity Residences.
The Future of Wellness report is the only trends forecast based on annual
in-depth collaboration among experts convened by the Global Wellness Summit.
Each trend includes supporting data, sub-trends, and case examples illustrating
how wellness is intersecting with healthcare, hospitality, real estate, beauty,
and lifestyle sectors.
Amway is the exclusive sponsor of the 2026 report.
Founded in 1959, the health and wellbeing company operates in more than 100
countries and territories worldwide. “Each year, The Future of
Wellness report delivers essential insights into the forces reshaping the
global wellness landscape,” said Melodie Nakhle, Chief Marketing Officer at Amway. “As the exclusive sponsor, we remain committed to advancing
credible, science-driven innovation that helps people lead healthier, more
vibrant lives. This research strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful
solutions for communities around the world.”
Tags: Melodie Nakhle, Amway wellness Global Wellness Summit