Wellnessta

wellnessta

CES 2019 Show Guide

Introduction Remember when Femtech was a brand-new term nobody knew? It feels like we have been using this word forever, but it has been around for less than a decade! Yet the history of products, technologies, and services addressing health issues specific or prevalent to women started long ago, ages before this umbrella term was first used in 2016 to address this rapidly evolving market. Since then, this industry has had major plot twists, from Maven Clinic becoming the first unicorn in 2021 to venture capital infusions shaking up the game; the sector is sizzling hot! Femtech And let us give a thumbs-up to the growing acceptance and issues. It is no longer a niche but a booming market, with its size estimated at over $55 billion in 2022 and . de-stigmatization of women’s health expected to surpass $100 billion by 2030 Why is it important to me? I am a digital tech specialist coming from the Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning field with a rich background in building and successfully deploying voice recognition, AI cameras, and virtual assistant products catering to millions. Lately, I have shifted my focus, stepping into the intriguing world of Femtech and healthcare drawn by the promise of AI to simplify and enhance healthcare solutions, changing stagnant approaches to women’s healthcare through daring initiatives. With this article providing a thoughtful inquiry into how advanced technologies like LLMs shape modern healthcare and Femtech, I invite you to join me on this exciting journey. Together, we will take a look at how boosts the Femtech market and sift through the new directions and strategies reshaping this burgeoning sector. Our aim will be not only to learn about the tendencies of the industry but also to identify key patterns that could offer thrilling opportunities. And so, if you are curious like me about how novel technologies improve healthcare experiences for women and what strategic footholds exist in the Femtech market, let us dive in and explore. AI/ML Current trends and thrilling developments in Femtech In the last few years, the Femtech sector has been undergoing a transformative shift. Gone are the days when Femtech products predominantly focused on menstrual cycle tracking and fertility planning. Today, the industry is blossoming with more specialized solutions, from advanced home-testing kits to cutting-edge wearables. Technological advances have attracted a range of strong players in a multitude of niche markets, each aiming to revolutionize different aspects of women’s health. 1. From Basic Tracking to Comprehensive Health Solutions Take Sonio, a Paris-based Femtech firm. They recently received FDA clearance for their AI product, Sonio Detect, which aims to redefine prenatal ultrasounds. What sets Sonio apart is its manufacturer-independent tool that simplifies the screening process while raising its efficiency and accuracy, offering an easy-to-use yet powerful solution. San Francisco startup Mira is pioneering another monumental shift in Femtech by embedding lab technology into a handheld fertility monitor. With a user base exceeding 76,000, Mira’s advanced fluorescent detector goes beyond traditional ovulation kits. The technology allows for daily health checks and has accumulated an impressive amount of data — over 8.5 million hormone data points and analysis of more than 670,000 menstrual cycles. With AI-driven insights into hormone fluctuations, Mira is offering more personalized and accurate predictions than ever before, quite literally putting a mini hormone lab in the palms of its users. Recently, The Inc. placed Mira at number 437 on its 2023 list of fastest-growing private companies in the US, ranking it the highest among Femtech companies. More complex products that require significant medical research are also quickly gaining momentum. Teal Health exemplifies this with its recent $8.8 million seed funding round, backed by prominent investors like Emerson Collective and Serena Ventures. The funds aim to build a comprehensive platform, starting with the crucial issue of cervical cancer. women’s telemedicine 2. The Rise of Wearable Innovations Wearable technology is another frontier where Femtech is making significant strides. One famous example is Bloomlife, a clinically validated diagnostic device for pregnant women that allows future mothers to track contractions, giving them a better awareness of their progress. Movano Health has captured attention with its Evie Ring — a wearable gadget currently under examination by the FDA. Upon receiving FDA clearance, the Evie Ring will have the potential to set new standards in women’s health monitoring, offering an integrated, round-the-clock health monitoring and tracking solution right at the user’s fingertips. Ava, a fertility and pregnancy tracking bracelet with an accuracy rate of over 90%, has already been cleared by the FDA. Established in 2014, well before we even started using the term ‘Femtech,’ Ava is a prime example of a successful Femtech startup. Having attracted over $42 million in funding, the company reported to have helped over 70 thousand women in 36 countries to get pregnant by 2020. 3. The Expansion to Different Age Groups One of the noteworthy trends in Femtech recently is the surge in startups focusing on menopause. According to Female Insights, over 30% of companies in this sector were founded in the last three years alone. This uptick is accompanied by increasing diversity in the types of solutions being offered to tackle menopausal symptoms — from mobile apps that track hormones and symptoms and platforms facilitating user interaction and community building to consumer goods and therapeutic medications. According to Pubmed, by 2030, up to 1.2 billion women will be in or approaching menopause globally, with 47 million new women joining every year. By 2025, it is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide—about 12% of the population—will be going through menopause. Financially, the menopause product market was valued at $15 billion in 2020 and is projected to skyrocket to $23 billion by 2028. These figures illustrate a maturing market with significant financial potential, underscoring why it has become a magnet for innovation and investment. An Irish startup, IdentifyHer, offers menopausal women sensor solutions. Controlled through a smartphone app, the sensor passively gathers information on menopause symptoms without interfering with the wearer's daily activities. The app also makes use of the data gathered to track progress and assess the effectiveness of lifestyle changes. The collected data is presented in periodic reports and can be used by medical professionals to diagnose and treat menopausal symptoms. AI-driven Midday is another customized menopause product developed by US-based startup Lisa Health that offers comprehensive management of the menopause journey. Midday’s solution, including a wearable device, an AI-based symptom tracking system, and a decision support tool for hormone therapy, uses advanced tracking to determine the menopause stage and anticipate symptoms. The app is used by doctors to manage the entire menopause process and provide decision support, while users are provided with a variety of therapeutic options and informational resources to give them personalized insights and get them ready for every stage of menopause. 4. Going Beyond Just Health Although Femtech is considered, first of all, a rising star in the Medtech industry, the possibilities of women-oriented digital technology products are not limited to healthcare alone. Recently, the term started to see new applications, one of which is Women’s Safety. Indian startup Shakti Wearables manufactures Shakti, a women’s defensive wearable device that increases women's safety in dangerous situations. When the wearer activates the button on the device, a small, non-lethal current is released, electrifying an attacker, while the internal insulation of the bangle keeps the wearer safe; this gives women a chance to flee their attackers and call for assistance. Additionally, Shakti sends the wearer's most important three contacts a WhatsApp message with their most recent live location. Another interesting personal safety app is being developed by Australian startup Safely, offering women peer-to-peer support in tense or frightening circumstances. With their contacts, users of the app can create private groups or circles for internal communication and location sharing. In case of emergency, users can also switch on the high-alert mode and notify each of their designated guardians. The app then uses live monitoring, records live video and audio, sends GPS updates, and saves all of this data to the cloud for later use as evidence. Additionally, users receive safety alerts from locations of interest to help them plan their commute or travel safely. Expanding healthcare’s reach with new technologies The world of healthcare is rapidly evolving, especially when it comes to Femtech. This dynamic transformation is powered by modern innovative technologies that are reshaping how women engage with healthcare and how healthcare providers offer services tailored to them. 1. The Personalization Revolution Fueled by LLMs One of the most disruptive advancements in this domain is the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and GPT-4. Far from being a mere tech fad, LLMs are revolutionizing healthcare, with Femtech embracing this new technology. LLMs have the potential to serve as virtual nursing assistants, supporting busy doctors in responding to patients' basic queries about medications or health conditions. As you will see from the examples below, LLMs are proving to be instrumental in facilitating the creation of highly promising Femtech products, from personalized consulting products to innovative community engagement tools. One of the most intriguing examples of the implementation of this technology in Femtech is Soula, a Cyprus-based startup that provides women with support during pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood with its "AI-powered" assistant. Powered by Med-PaLM, an LLM developed by Google to generate answers to medical questions, the app is expected to be able to respond to inquiries about pregnancies and maternity issues and provide information on a range of health-related concerns. It will also be able to answer questions about diet, sleep, physical activity, and emotional self-care, as well as track fetal movement and kick frequency. Mexican startup Kuna utilizes an LLM-powered chatbot to give women a secure way to access information and advice on parenting and sexual health. The startup's , Kuna Chat, offers details on sex, reproduction, pregnancy, and parenthood. The startup also provides online consultations with experts for more complex or difficult questions. In this way, Kuna encourages sex education for the uneducated while offering trustworthy, practical, and concrete answers to users' queries. AI-powered chatbot 2. Cost-Effective Health Management An extraordinarily important aspect of building successful medical products is to make services affordable to the customer, reaching broader but less solvent user segments and geographies. In this vein, Femtech offers not only personalized but also cost-effective healthcare solutions. Apps often provide free basic versions, with premium services available through subscription fees. Quite obviously, the use of LLMs trained on medical data sets and specialized in specific product cases can provide a boost to the more affordable cost of the products themselves. For example, the Ava fertility bracelet mentioned in the previous section of this article costs around $249 in the U.S., and the accompanying app is free with the bracelet purchase. When considering that the average cost of infertility treatment in the U.S. is around $11,000—often not covered by basic healthcare plans—Femtech presents a more affordable starting point for many women. 3. Breaking Barriers in Remote and Rural Areas Digital technology in Femtech is also crucial for improving healthcare access in remote and rural areas, especially in low- or middle-income countries in Africa and Asia — two regions with the highest female populations. Femtech provides innovative solutions such as virtual prenatal visits and remote monitoring, to manage their health more cost-effectively, regardless of their location. empowering women One successful example of such a product is M♡THer – a virtual care product facilitating the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus by measuring blood glucose levels, blood pressure, weight, and more. GDM affects up to 20% of pregnant women, leading to various birth complications, and M♡THer, developed by the Australia E-Health Research Centre, has already benefited thousands of women in remote areas of the region. 4. A Multifaceted Approach to Chronic Diseases Femtech is not solely about reproductive health; it also targets female-specific chronic diseases through a mix of prevention, societal change, and technology. Mobile apps and wearable devices make it easier to manage and monitor conditions over time, a vital component of tackling chronic diseases that affect women disproportionately. To name an example of a health issue specific to women, it is estimated that 1 in 10 women have endometriosis – the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus that can cause significant problems from pelvic pain to infertility. DotLab, a US-based medical diagnostics company, pioneers medical tests in this area, applying machine learning mechanisms to diagnose and assess this currently incurable disease. On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Kheiron Medical Technologies, a UK Medtech startup, combines data science and radiology to help with the diagnosis of breast cancer, another terrible disease affecting predominantly women. According to published clinical trial results, the company’s breakthrough technology achieves previously unseen heights in malignancy detection in breast cancer screening. Applied Conclusions Recent years have shown rapid exponential growth in the number of Femtech companies and products, both through the use of innovative technologies and through the discovery of more and more new applications and solutions. With the Femtech market estimated to reach an imposing $100 billion globally by 2030, it is one of the areas of the modern technology economy that is expected to provide maximum lucrative opportunities for new bright ideas and prosperous businesses in the coming years. While deciding whether to follow this attractive route, aspiring Femtech entrepreneurs should consider the following market characteristics. While there are highly competitive niches in the Femtech market, specifically well-established fields like menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, there are also areas that are more attractive for entry. Examples of such areas include app-controlled wearables and menopause management. The largest share of the global women’s health market surprisingly pertains to chronic women’s health conditions (forecast to reach $218 billion by 2027), and only 1 percent of existing Femtech companies address this area. Did you hear that? That is an opportunity knocking. AI and specifically Large Language Models can be a powerful boost for Femtech products as (a) with proper customization, LLMs assist in scaling the product or service itself and strengthen the core part of the product, and (b) they provide magnificent tools for community development, and the community is said to be the most important part of a product! Organic communities built around products are both a way of monetization and a tool that increases retention, helping build durable community-led growth. Taking into account the fact that the Femtech market is rapidly developing with a simultaneous increase in competition, and given the general market conditions (in particular, subscription applications revenues are currently declining; even if positive dynamics have remained in the Medtech segment, it has become more difficult to attract and retain users), companies need to be cost-efficient and provide a highly personalized, secure service to survive and rise above the competitors. A relevant and extremely effective tool employed by more and more technology startups for achieving these goals, again, is AI technologies. Whether it's addressing questions about menstrual health, pregnancy, or chronic conditions, LLMs can fill the information gap quickly and efficiently. Statistically, only 6% of Femtech companies used AI in 2021, mostly in diagnostics and data analytics, and while this share has seen stable growth over the years, there is enough room for new inspired ideas and success stories in this area. All in all, the advent of heralds an exciting era for Femtech entrepreneurs. LLMs have the potential to revolutionize user engagement and content delivery, supporting busy healthcare professionals by handling preliminary patient communication, serving as virtual nursing assistants or health advisors, and simply bringing a personalized touch to technology. With cutting-edge AI technologies charging Femtech products, humanity has the chance to drastically improve the efficiency of the entire healthcare system catering to women. Finally, there is a chance to overcome the millennia-old barriers plaguing this area of medicine, such as high costs, gender bias, stigmatization of women's health-related topics, and a lack of resources. Large Language Models Powered by the latest technological advancements, Femtech waits for its next hero — and it may be you!

Beyond Wellness: How Femtech is Shaping the Future of Women's Healthcare

সুস্থতার বাইরে: কীভাবে ফেমটেক মহিলাদের স্বাস্থ্যসেবার ভবিষ্যত গঠন করছে

Beyond Wellness: Wie Femtech die Zukunft der Frauengesundheit gestaltet

Más allá del bienestar: cómo Femtech está dando forma al futuro de la atención médica de las mujeres

Au-delà du bien-être : comment Femtech façonne l'avenir des soins de santé des femmes

कल्याण से परे: कैसे फेमटेक महिलाओं के स्वास्थ्य देखभाल के भविष्य को आकार दे रहा है

ウェルネスを超えて: フェムテックが女性のヘルスケアの未来をどのように形作るか

웰니스를 넘어서: Femtech가 여성 건강 관리의 미래를 형성하는 방법

Além do bem-estar: como a Femtech está moldando o futuro da saúde feminina

За пределами здоровья: как Femtech формирует будущее женского здравоохранения

Wellness'ın Ötesinde: Femtech Kadın Sağlığı Hizmetlerinin Geleceğini Nasıl Şekillendiriyor?

Ngoài sức khỏe: Femtech đang định hình tương lai của ngành chăm sóc sức khỏe phụ nữ như thế nào

超越健康：Femtech 如何塑造女性医疗保健的未来

“The wellness industry has been booming” is a sentence that has been written over and over in the last few years. Let’s face it, wellness isn’t just booming, it’s here to stay, and is becoming a central part of people’s lives. Looking back, it’s not hard to see why. In a world where stress and burnout are all too common, people are turning to self-care and preventative health measures to stay healthy and happy. There are many things that make wellness trends so appealing. First, many of them emphasize a do-it-yourself kind of mentality, with practical hacks that are accessible and easy to apply. On the flip side, many wellness trends claim to give you tremendous results quickly. Many of them are either too optimistic or simply negligent. And the truth is, for some wellness trends, following hacks of online suggestions can mean gambling with your mental or physical health. But what is wellness, really? The term “Wellness” encompasses a holistic approach to health that addresses physical, mental, and emotional well-being. That means that wellness isn’t just about the absence of illness or about emotional stability. It is a state in which each one of these aspects of our lives is nurtured and healthy. Physical wellness includes exercise, proper nutrition, and getting enough sleep. Mental wellness includes stress management, mindfulness, and therapy. Emotional wellness includes self-care, self-compassion, and healthy relationships. Overall, wellness is a lifelong journey that involves making conscious choices and taking deliberate actions to improve and maintain good health. The wellness sector itself has seen significant growth in the past few years. According to , the global wellness economy was worth $4.5 trillion in 2018, and it's expected to grow by 5-10% annually. the Global Wellness Institute Separating the good from the bad Every year dozens of new wellness trends populate our social media feeds and spread like fire. Many of them can be very beneficial to our lives, are easy to follow, and can have a real impact on our well-being. Some of them just don’t work, and are even potentially dangerous. So how can you tell between a trend to try and a trend to ditch? When it comes to wellness trends, it can be tough to know which ones are worth your time and money. Here are a few tips to help you distinguish between beneficial and ineffective wellness trends: Scientific evidence: Try to look for solid evidence to support the claims being made. If there is little to no evidence, or the evidence is questionable, then it's best to approach it with caution. Personal experience: Everyone's body is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. Before trying a new wellness trend, it's important to consider your personal health and wellness goals. Does the trend align with those goals? Has it worked for others who have similar goals and health concerns? If the answer is yes, then it may be worth a try. Sustainability: Consider whether the wellness trend is sustainable over the long term. Is it something that you can realistically incorporate into your daily routine? Will it be costly or time-consuming? If the answer is no, then it may not be worth the effort. The credibility of the source: Is it a reputable health or wellness organization, or is it an individual or company with a vested interest in promoting the trend? If the source is not credible, then the trend may not be either. So whether you're a seasoned wellness guru or just getting started on your journey, we’re here to help separate the good and the bad and help you focus on the things that matter. From mindfulness to plant-based diets to the latest fitness crazes, there's always something new and exciting to discover in the world of wellness. So, let's get started and find out what 2023 has in store for us! Try: Sleep syncing “Sleep syncing” is rapidly becoming one of the most talked about wellness trends out there. The good news: there is a lot of evidence that shows that it can actually help your sleep and, as a result, improve your physical and mental health. Sleep syncing means adjusting your sleep cycle with your . Your circadian rhythm (eg, sleep-wake cycle) is your internal body clock that follows a 24-hour cycle. Influenced by light and dark, it controls hormone release such as melatonin and your digestive enzymes. circadian rhythm Essentially, the principle of sleep syncing is a regulated sleep-wake cycle over 24 hours in itself can tremendously improve your sleep. The other great thing about sleep syncing is that it’s a relatively easy habit to adopt, and can have an incredibly positive effect. Here are a few tips for syncing your sleep to your daily routine. Wake up at the same time every day Get exposed to sunlight in the morning Avoid caffeine after midday Avoid heavy meals 3-4 hours before bed Cut back on screens before bed Create a bedtime routine Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet Try: Cycle syncing This one is only relevant to those of us who menstruate. Similarly to sleep syncing, Cycle Syncing is the practice of adapting your daily activity: working out, eating habits, work schedule, social life, and physical intimacy, to your body’s natural monthly cycle. Specifically, it means understanding the four phases of the cycle - follicular, ovulation, luteal, and menstrual - and how each of them affects our physical and mental state. This one is another well-researched and proven trend. According to many women’s health experts, as our body is constantly fluctuating, so is our ability and motivation fluctuates. With this realization in mind, we understand that for most female bodies, doing the same activity at the same intensity every day is not exactly effective. Here is some information on each phase of the cycle, and what is recommended for that phase: During this phase, your estrogen is on the rise. Rest is key. Prioritize soft and relaxing activities rather than pushing yourself. Dring soothing tea, limit fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, and salty foods. Menstrual: Gradually restart your body. Keep exercises to hiking, light runs, or more flow-based yoga that works up a sweat. Try to incorporate foods that will metabolize estrogen, such as broccoli sprouts, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Follicular: Your testosterone and estrogen are peaking, so now is the time to maximize your potential. Try exercises high-intensity workouts or a spin class, and eat anti-inflammatory foods that support your liver, such as whole fruits, vegetables, and almonds. Ovulation: During this time, progesterone rises as testosterone and estrogen deplete, which means your body is preparing for another period cycle, and energy levels may be low. It’s a good idea to opt for strength training, pilates, and more intense versions of yoga. Eat foods that can help produce serotonin, such as leafy greens, quinoa, spinach, and dark chocolate. Luteal: Ditch:  ‘What I eat in a day’ videos If you’re a wellness enthusiast, your Instagram reels feed or Tiktok for you page must be filled with these videos: “an omelet, green juice, a matcha latte for breakfast. A gluten-free sandwich. Baked salmon for dinner. Etc. etc.”. The “What I eat in a day” reel (and the less common, but more stressful ‘what I drank in a day’ reel) is a 15 to 30-second compilation of what some wellness influencer claim they ate over the course of the day. The dishes featured in these videos are usually highly curated, beautifully shot, often organic, home-cooked, and seemingly very healthy. These videos, watched by millions, often promote unrealistic lifestyles and an unhealthy body image. The main problem is, they promote a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, an aspirational goal that, for many, simply isn’t reachable. Whether they show accurate documentation of a daily diet, or a highly curated one, another problem with these videos is the hyper-healthy image they present. While for many wellness influencers, curating a healthy, organic, home-cooked diet is their paid profession, not everybody can invest that time, money, and energy into their daily nutrition. This can lead to guilt and discourage people from creating their own healthy habits. Try:  Micro workouts Physical exercise is extremely important for our physical and mental well-being. Not only does it strengthen our body, but it improves our mood, helps with focus and motivation, and can also be a social activity and improve relationships. The problem is, in a fast pace society, many people find it hard to find the time and energy to maintain a workout routine. In a world where the awareness of the importance of physical exercise is growing, many feel the pressure to intensely work-out, which is often unsustainable. If you relate, micro workouts are the wellness trend for you. Micro workouts are quick, one-minute dances or fitness challenges you can often find on Tiktok or Instagram. Micro workouts remove the time barrier, and for some people also the money barrier, which prevents so many people from incorporating healthy and achievable work-out habits in their daily lives. These bite-size low-intensity workouts make it easier to add more movement into more moments throughout the day. Micro workouts can include a morning dance, a quick set of squats before lunch, and a 10-minute yoga session before bed to help you destress. These short fitness sessions can have a great impact on your physical health and add some necessary movement to your life. Try: Mini meditations When most of us think of meditation, we imagine a formal setting, with a mediator or a guide, where everyone is sitting quietly for at least 20 minutes, focusing on their breathing. In mindfulness meditation, when upsetting thoughts, sensations, or feelings interfere, as they always do, experienced meditators learn to notice them, let them pass by, and then return to paying attention to the breath. There is a lot of evidence for the benefits of mindfulness meditation. Studies suggest that meditating can improve heart health and mental health, boost immune response, lower stress, decrease blood pressure, improve healthy aging of cells, and much more. However, many people find it difficult, or sometimes intimidating, to incorporate a meditation practice into their lives. Similarly to micro-workouts, Mini-meditations involve learning how to be mindful but in shorter intervals. Using short and less demanding mindfulness exercises, you too can enjoy the benefits of mindfulness in your life. Here are some examples of bite-size mindfulness exercises: Take one or more deep breaths. Put your emotions into words. Choose one activity to do with mindful attention. Practice watching your thoughts pass by as if you were watching a parade. Recite a calming motto, mantra, or prayer. Ditch:  Soft Life Originating in the Nigerian influencer community, the term “soft life” or “soft era” describes living a life of enjoyment and comfort, while limiting stress. With millions of views and counting on TikTok, there’s no shortage of content depicting the stress-free popularized as the response to the hustle and “girlboss” culture of the 2010s. #softlife While the principles of soft life can be very positive: prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and criticism of work culture, it is often painting an unattainable, and even extravagant picture. Many “soft life” influencers showcase exotic locations, fine dining, luxury goods, and most of all, less work. Unfortunately, this version of soft life is privileged and seen as an ideal to aspire to, which can be harmful. Combined with the “quiet quitting” trend that started in 2021, the soft life influencers can often have a negative impact on viewers, by presenting privileged and often unattainable circumstances as achievable goals that are “the right way to live”. The right lesson to take from this trend is, small changes in our daily lives, an emphasis on self-care, and making intentional choices that take our wellness into consideration, is a good philosophy to have. In other words, living a soft life is subjective, and anyone can experience it differently according to their circumstances. The purpose should not be completely rejecting struggle, stress, or sadness because most of us can’t. Instead, it is to develop resilience, and a safe space for ourselves in the hectic world we live in. Try: Digital Detox The frequent use of technology in our daily lives has been linked to heightened attention-deficit symptoms, impaired emotional and social intelligence, technology addiction, social isolation, impaired brain development, and disrupted sleep in some cases. Most of us have felt it directly, and know how to identify the impact technology can have on our wellness. While technology isn’t inherently bad, if it interferes with your work, relationships, mental and physical health, or finances, it might be a good idea to try and regulate your usage. Digital detox is a trend that offers cutting down daily usage, to become conscious of its effects and get some relief. Strategies such as scheduling time away from screens throughout the day, adjusting your phone settings to limit certain apps, creating no-phone areas, or even downgrading your phone plan, can help limit your phone use and provide a much-needed mental relief. Read more about the importance of digital detox The lead image for this article was generated by HackerNoon's AI Image Generator via the prompt "people smiling in a garden"

Wellness Trends to Try, and to Ditch, in 2023

In today's digital age, technology has transformed the way we live and work, leading to excessive use that can take a toll on our mental and physical health. However, wellness retreats provide a much-needed break from the "digital grind," offering an opportunity to disconnect, recharge, and prioritize mental and physical health. Wellness retreats are immersive experiences that focus on delivering a general sense of well-being and can be tailored to different needs and interests. They range from yoga and meditation retreats to wellness and spa retreats, located in secluded natural environments or bustling urban areas, and can last from a few days to several weeks. Retreats offer a range of activities, from mindfulness practices and fitness classes to healthy cooking workshops and spa treatments, promoting mindfulness and relaxation. They can also foster personal growth and connect individuals with like-minded people. There are wellness retreats offering everything between yoga and meditation, hot springs spa, wellness sailing cruises, and more. Choosing the right wellness retreat can be a daunting task, but it is important to research and select one that aligns with your goals and interests. Choosing the Right Wellness Retreat Personal preferences, such as location, duration, and budget, as well as the specific programs and activities offered at each retreat. Some retreats may focus more on physical fitness, while others may prioritize mental health and mindfulness practices. It's important to consider your goals and what you hope to achieve from the retreat. Additionally, it's a good idea to research the retreat's accommodations and amenities to ensure that they align with your comfort level and preferences. For example, some retreats may offer more basic accommodations, while others may provide luxury accommodations and spa treatments. It's also helpful to read reviews and testimonials from previous retreat participants to get a sense of their experiences and the overall quality of the retreat. This can give you a better idea of what to expect and whether the retreat is right for you. Popular Wellness Retreat Destinations I went ahead and asked multiple travel and wellness experts from HARO (Help a Reporter Out) and Qwoted, and this is what they had to say. A yoga retreat in Bali, where I spent a week practicing yoga, meditating, and exploring the island's beautiful natural landscapes. The retreat was led by knowledgeable and caring teachers who guided us through challenging but rewarding classes, and the daily schedule allowed plenty of time for relaxation and reflection. A weekend at a hot springs spa in California, where I soaked in healing mineral waters, enjoyed massages and other spa treatments, and indulged in healthy and delicious meals. The peaceful and serene surroundings made it easy to unwind and let go of stress and tension. -Lieu Dang, Marketing Manager at Ling App The Best Wellness Retreat is hands down The Haven Wellness Resort & Spa in Panama. Reason is because it has one of the nicest wellness retreats that I always recommend is in Boquete, Panama.  It’s a boutique spa complete with a yoga and meditation studio.  It’s a complete wellness center.  They only have a handful of rooms with a beautiful scenery.  I recommend the garden suite.  I have hosted several yoga retreats here. And the best Yoga retreat is Himalayan Institute in Honesdale. The beautiful grounds there give space for you to retreat within and deepen your practice.  My daughters and I have gone on personal yoga retreats her many times, and we always experience some type of growth and revelation in the sacred grounds. -Steph Ball-Mitchell from Online Yoga School My name is Val Streif, and I work for GetMyBoat, a boat rental marketplace with a mobile app. Think "Airbnb," but for boat rentals and charters. Our mission is to make all types of on-the-water experiences more accessible worldwide. Regarding wellness, boating might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but you'd be surprised at the therapeutic offerings available. Everything from this plant-based wellness sailing cruise to the Bahamas to stand-up paddleboard yoga classes, to spa and massages on a private yacht, there are many wonderful, relaxing ways to enjoy the water on your travels in 2023. You can find and book these experiences right on your phone with our app! -Val Streif from GetMyBoat My number one spot for relaxation is Bali, Indonesia - Bali has a thriving wellness culture, and it's no surprise that there are many yoga retreats on this Indonesian island. The beautiful scenery, including rice paddies, mountains, and beaches, make it an ideal place to practice yoga and meditation. There are many world-class retreat centers in Bali, such as the Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive, and Soulshine Bali. -Sam Helmy from PointsPanda Conclusion Wellness retreats offer a much-needed break from the demands of modern life and can provide an opportunity to prioritize mental and physical health. By disconnecting from technology and engaging in mindfulness practices, physical activity, and healthy eating, participants can improve their overall well-being and gain a fresh perspective on life. When choosing a retreat, it's important to consider factors such as the type of retreat, location, duration, price, and accommodations to ensure a positive experience.

Escape the Digital Grind: How Wellness Retreats Offer a Refreshing Break

With the consistently developing prevalence of shrewd innovation, it's nothing unexpected that this kind of innovation is being involved increasingly more in compulsion recuperation and psychological wellness treatment. You can utilize savvy innovation to help individuals recuperating from fixation keep focused and help those with emotional wellness conditions in dealing with their condition. In this article, we'll take a gander at a portion of the manners in which that smart innovation is being utilized in addiction centers like . Native American Addiction Center Here is the rundown. To Increment Public Information About Recuperation Places You might advance offices for habit recovery utilizing innovation. You might use innovation to change the way that numerous people don't have any idea where to go for dependence treatment. Psychological wellness treatment offices can contact people who need help by utilizing designated notices with the help of a medication recovery promoting firm. To contact a bigger crowd, they may likewise promote their administrations by means of virtual entertainment sites, applications, and stages. With this, more individuals will actually want to acquire the help they require and begin along the way to recuperation. This is essential, particularly in this day and age where individuals depend vigorously on the web for nearly everything. By doing this, it is ensured that everybody approaches the data they require. Concerning and Treatment Furthermore, treatment and recuperation programs themselves can utilize state-of-the-art innovation. There are a few techniques for doing this. To follow progress, use applications and sites, reproduce certifiable circumstances with augmented reality, and get support, user chatbots are the absolute most famous procedures. Applications, all things considered, can be utilized in programs for recuperating from compulsion. A portion of the more notable ones are pressure-easing journaling applications like The Very Beginning, rest following applications like Rest Cycle, and care contemplation applications like Headspace or Quiet, which assist with peopling keep even-tempered over the course of the day. To Connect Those Looking for Recuperation with Those in Comparable Circumstances Brilliant innovation may likewise be utilized to connect those in recuperation with different people going through a comparable encounter. Through gatherings, support gatherings, and web-based entertainment destinations, you might accomplish this. For individuals who are new to recuperation and looking for the motivation they expect to traverse the difficult times and remain focused, this kind of association might be massively helpful. With this, people going through habit treatment could feel less alone and alone as they leave on their mending interaction. This will make it workable for them to get help at whatever point they do, which is critical for engaging infections like medication abuse or psychological wellness issues like misery. Supporting Others in Remaining focused Individuals should follow their treatment plan to completely recuperate. By giving them the devices and assets they should be considered responsible, savvy innovation might assist people with remaining on track. Using wellness trackers is one technique for doing this. These contraptions, which track movement levels, pulses, rest cycles, and different things, are worn around the wrist or appended to garments. Specialists can all the more precisely choose the proper course of treatment with the utilization of this information, as well as assess how well a patient is answering their program. Keeps up With Patient Records By logging information, innovation can likewise screen patients. This is invaluable for both the patient and the clinical office. The quantity of continuous days an individual has gone to gatherings or treatment meetings, for example, could be followed by a treatment office. Data of this nature is essential for deciding how well individuals are advancing through their recuperation program and whether they need extra help. Innovation can likewise be utilized to follow an individual's days level-headed and the quantity of gatherings they go to every day, which is useful for the people who are simply beginning in recuperation since it shows that achievement is conceivable with reliable exertion. To Permit Relatives To Speak With Their Friends and family For those recuperating from habit, correspondence with relatives is essential. By giving relatives admittance to data about their cherished one's treatment plan, savvy innovation can work with this correspondence. A few offices give a site page where family members can sign in and mind their cherished one's advancement, the sort of treatment they are getting, and some other pertinent subtleties. Subsequently, relatives can encounter a feeling of contribution in the mending system and realize that their cherished one is never alone while getting care. With regard to recuperating from enslavement, savvy innovation offers a few benefits. With the utilization of innovation, individuals might stay on target, help support from those going through comparative conditions, and keep up with records for worked on tolerant consideration. Innovation empowers families to stay in contact with their friends and family and participate in the recuperating system. Hence, anybody chasing after compulsion treatment should utilize every one of the apparatuses available to them, including current innovation.

How Technology Is Disrupting Mental Wellness in Recovery Centers

I meditate in my office. I have a tea corner. I grow plants. To my current coworkers, I am very conscious about my mental well-being while at work. However, I did not always consider the office a place where I could practice mindfulness and take an active role in my mental well-being. Taking days is just the tip of the iceberg. I am sharing 10 practical ways to embrace mindfulness, focus on wellness, and maintain your mental well-being while in the office. mental health 1. Create a morning ritual for the office Instead of diving straight into piles of paperwork or emails after the morning rush hour, take a moment to ease into your workday focused and relaxed. For example, my morning ritual consists of watering my plants, brewing a fresh cup of loose-leaf tea, and reading a short devotional. I sip my tea, listen to peaceful gospel or classical music as I eat breakfast, and prioritize my to-do list. A simple morning ritual when you arrive in the office is the perfect way to control how you start your workday. 2. Stretch or do Desk Yoga and rest your eyes When working primarily behind a computer screen, our bodies build up tension. Shoulders. Neck. Legs. Eyes. The stress and stiffness can even lead to pain. Try these desk stretches or desk yoga poses when you are starting to feel tense or just need a boost of energy. Don’t forget to relax your eyes by following the 20–20–20 rule. 3. Take shorter breaks more often Working hard is a psychological cost, especially when working on tedious or complex tasks. You will get tired, lose your ability to think creatively and start making more mistakes without taking breaks. Many fool ourselves into thinking we are too busy to take breaks. We aren’t. Breaks are necessary to improve attention, increase energy, and retain information. Try using the Pomodoro Method to increase your productivity by working on one task for 25- minutes and taking a 5-minute non-work-related break. Pivot between focused working periods and short breaks. Every 4th cycle, take a 20–30 minute break. 4. Be realistic about your to-do list If you are like me, you may have the tendency to overfill your to-do list and find yourself dissatisfied or overwhelmed by the number of items remaining that will spill over into the next day. If left unchecked, this can become a vicious cycle of feeling like you are playing catch-up more often than not. By utilizing the Pomodoro Method I mentioned earlier, you will learn how long specific tasks will take you to complete. After learning this intel about yourself, you can effectively schedule the tasks you prioritized during your morning routine between meetings. 5. Stop multitasking! In a nutshell, multitasking is not just inefficient but also stressful! Switching your focus back and forth from one task and its objectives to another can cost you up to 40% productivity time. Coupled with your to-do list (see above), this can lead you back down the path into the vicious cycle of feeling like you are continuously playing catch up. 6. Find time to meditate or breathe The beauty of meditation is this. You can literally meditate anywhere, almost at any time. Learning to meditate is simple: just breathe and pay attention to the rhythm of your breath. An easy way to get started with meditation or breathwork in the office is by creating a sign that reads “Meditation in Progress” and placing it on your office door or your cubicle. Set aside 1 minute or even 5–10 minutes to yourself. Take a moment to note how you are currently feeling, without judgment, and then just breathe. One of my favorite apps for guided meditations is Headspace. 7. Leave work at work In a previous job, during the busier seasons, I found myself often unable to fall asleep because my mind was racing about what I needed to accomplish at work. I even had the occasional vivid dream about work! I ultimately decided I needed to create better barriers between my work life and home life. My first step was removing emails from my phone. Not all of us are fortunate to have a job where your boss is okay with waiting for your reply until the next working day. If this is your current situation, you can still create barriers between work and home life by making rules about when, where, and how you are willing to work while at home. For instance, no working in the bedroom. Another is no working from 6 to 8 PM, and all work ceases by 10 PM. 8. Make your office your home away from home While creating boundaries for work outside of the office, it is equally important to create an environment in which we are comfortable while at work. Therefore, you should not be afraid to show your personality and add personal touches to make your office feel more like a home away from home. I have plenty of plants in my office, a painting, pictures of my spouse and me, and an accent lamp. Bring elements into your office that will contribute to your happiness, creativity, focus, and relaxation. 9. Volunteer to coordinate quarterly wellness activities I currently work in an office that hosts quarterly wellness activities for employees in the various departments we work closely with. One quarter we took a morning stroll outside. In another quarter, we painted during lunch. Quarterly wellness activities for the office are a great way to get to know your coworkers and a fantastic way to start introducing wellness into your office culture. 10. Talk to your boss about mental health Talking to your boss about your mental health or even utilizing a mental health day can be difficult. However, it can also be one of the most important conversations you will have during your career with your boss. Also published on Teamblind’s blog

10 Ways to Promote Wellness in the Workplace

Employee wellness programs have become a staple in many companies as a way to attract top talent, keep them happy and productive, and decrease employee turnover. Especially in top tech companies attempting to attract top Millenial talent. 80% of employees at companies with wellness programs at work feel engaged and cared for by their employers. The key to having a successful wellness program at work is encouraging overall wellbeing while still keeping it fun. If you can’t get your team engaged, then your wellness program ideas will quickly lose steam. So make your initiatives fun, try new ideas, and see what your team values the most. Here are some amazing employee wellness program ideas that you can implement right now! 1. Monday Motivation sessions Help your employees gear up for a long week by starting Mondays with a powerful motivation session. This will go a long way in boosting their morale and supporting their mental well being. 2. Health resources and newsletters Start a company newsletter highlighting the importance of health and wellness at the workplace. Introducing new ideas around fitness, nutrition, and wellness education can make your employees more aware and sensitive towards them. 3. Flexible working hours Remember that your employees have a life outside of work, which is why the least you can do for them is to . Whether they’re working from home or at your workplace, as usual, make sure you respect their work hours. provide flexible work hours 4. Encourage breaks The workplace can become a breeding ground for stress. And this can impact even your most hardworking and productive employees. Ask your employees to take short breaks between long work hours. 5. Yoga days Partner with a trainer or professional organization to organize a yoga workshop (once or twice a month) at your office. 6. Promote and reward healthy eating habits Encourage healthy eating habits at the workplace. You can hold healthy eating challenges and reward people who manage to ditch the packet of chips for fruits. 7. Cooking challenges Let your employees have a potluck of healthy recipes cooked by themselves. Let the office vote for the best. 8. Incentivize smoking cessation Incentivize your employees to quit smoking. Research suggests that financially motivated staff is more successful at quitting than non-incentivized. 9. Go meatless day Meat rich diets are linked to inflammatory diseases and are bad news for the planet. Ask employees to go meatless at least a day of the week. 10. Promote sleep The most underrated key to wellness is a goodnight’s sleep. Invite experts and conduct webinars or sessions to promote the importance of sleep. 11. 8-Glasses of water challenge Make your employees track the days they have at least eight glasses of water. The winner at the end of the week wins the reward! 12. Make your office pet-friendly Allowing pets in the office can help in reducing stress and making people friendlier. Work/life balance is valuable for employees, and bringing one’s dog or cat to work can help employees feel they are closer to achieving that balance. 13. Create a high five board Put up the names of your employees on a board. Bring some magnetic hi-five hands and ask employees to move them to the side of the employee who did something positive. 14. Walking meetings Take your meetings to a brief walk instead of a boring room. Let your employees breathe in the fresh air. 15. Healthy meals in the office Offer healthy lunches and snacks to your employees. These perks make a big difference in how they feel about their company. 16. Group outings Probably one of the best wellness activities for groups you can do is group outings. Arrange a group dinner or sports day to build a bond with them outside the work. 17. Volunteer days Take some of your employees to volunteer for a cause every month. Not only will this be an excellent group physical exercise, but it also encourages team bonding. 18. Take stairs challenge Make your employees ditch the elevator and switch to stairs for a healthy lifestyle. Post a note near the elevator reminding people to take the stairs instead. 19. Organize a book club To encourage your employees to read, you can start a virtual book club. It will enable them to engage in critical thinking and be open to differing opinions. 20. Fun games and activities Ask your employees to participate in fun games and activities and make your office a fun place to work. Let them rejuvenate and bring out their competitive sides. 21. Reward loyal employees Offer special perks to your old employees to make them happy and engaged. Your loyal employees are your most valuable assets, and long service also needs to be properly recognized and rewarded. Previously published at https://www.springworks.in/blog/employee-wellness-program-ideas/

Implement These 21 Employee Wellness Program Ideas For Better Retention

Interesting times, we live in. Scrolling through social media can be a stark reminder of harsh realities. It's easy to get lost in the noise and challenges of being a person in the world today. Maybe you've resorted to self-soothing by eating cheap fries and acting like a couch potato, maybe more often than you like to admit. Well, I'm here to tell you health problems you incur in the future (as a result of your pandemic coping mechanisms) could leave a bigger hole in your pocket than Elon's left in the crypto community. When you're ready to start focusing on your fitness again, you're likely to faced with another challenge: information overload. There are so many conversations around the topics health and wellness, and that's how it should be: health and wellness are extremely broad concepts. And there's no one-size-fits-all. To help you define what wellness means for , I'll be sharing The Seven Scope Framework for approaching your personal wellness in a holistic and customised way. you When doctors talk about being healthy, they do not mean not being sick. Health is beyond the physical; it extends to the social, physical, and mental well-being of an individual. It should be the goal of everyone to achieve good health. Wellness is living a lifestyle that is centered on being healthy. For example; a clean diet, mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and regular drinking of water are components of wellness. Think of wellness as everything you can do to achieve and maintain good health. When Did People Start Practising Wellness? Human beings have always sought out ways to improve their health from the days of the Greek philosophers to date. In 1950, an American physician by the name of Halbert Dunn coined the word, "wellness" by integrating wellbeing and fitness. Subsequently, in 1990 an American sports physician by the name of Kenneth.H.Cooper released his book on wellness titled . Aerobics Program For Total Well Being In his book, he emphasized the fact that in exercise for maintaining good health. In his words: wellness is a lifestyle, and consistency is important "Exercise is a journey, not a destination. It must be continued for the rest of your life. We do not stop exercising because we grow old - we grow old because we stop exercising." These days, social media has provided a good platform for health workers, physical trainers, and nutritionists to educate people on how to achieve and maintain good health. Some websites and applications are designed to help people understand exactly what wellness means. If you search Product Hunt right now, you'll find a plethora of apps aiming to help users understand the concept of Wellness in more effective ways; , , and to name but a few. The Wellness App Wellnest Buddy What is the Seven Scope Framework for Wellness? The scope of wellness is quite broad: there are many aspects to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In the seven scope classification, wellness is divided into seven components: Spiritual, Physical, Mental, Environmental, Career, Intellectual and Emotional components. The Seven Scopes and 21 Apps to Help You Attain Them Each component has its own significance and unique contribution to sustaining a sense of wellness, in varying ways for each individual. The is concerned with maintaining internal peace and harmony by surrendering to a force or purpose greater and bigger than yourself, on an individual level. The concept of spiritual wellness is quite controversial, but there is a clear correlation between faith, happiness, and good health. Apps like , , and are used to maintain spiritual wellness. Spiritual Scope of Wellness Gaia ConZentrate Spirit Junkie The involves taking care of your body and maintaining an amount of physical activity that is required for good health, but not enough to cause fatigue. The basic components of the physical scope of wellness are diet, rest, and exercise. , , and are great apps for keeping fit and healthy. Physical Scope of Wellness MyFitnessPal 10K Runner 30 Days Exercise at Home is concerned with how well you react to stress, how you feel about yourself, and how you interact with people. Maintaining mental wellness may involve meditation, engaging in hobbies, volunteering, and self-expression. , , and are apps that you can use to improve your mental health and strengthen your mind. The Mental Scope of Wellness Moodfit Happify Shine involves trying to understand your environment, protect your surroundings and contribute positively to the development of the area in which you live. , , and are mobile apps that will help you contribute positively to the preservation of our planet. The Environmental Scope of Wellness #climate Ecoviate Farmstand is engaging in work that is in line with your interests and personal values, as well as providing satisfaction for the employee. , , and are great apps for career growth and wellness. The Career Scope of Wellness VantageFit Elevate Endomondo involves having a positive mindset towards acquiring knowledge and being open-minded. , and provide opportunities to learn from the best teachers and acquire knowledge. The Intellectual Scope of Wellness TED Talks Coursera LinkedIn Learning is related to that of mental wellness. It involves self-awareness and self-acceptance, as well as the ability to adapt to stress. , and are three apps that can support you if you're looking to work towards greater self-acceptance and practice self love. The Emotional Scope of Wellness Sanvello HeadSpace TalkSpace How Can We Achieve Complete Wellness? The scope of wellness is broad: it is most likely that any given individual would be lacking in some areas of wellness. However, it is possible to improve one's state of wellness by being intentional about one's health. The journey to improving wellness is a marathon, not a sprint. Gradual consistent efforts will pay off in the long run, but they will require patience and discipline. If you're serious about increasing your sense of what wellness means, the following four tips will be helpful for you. Have a set goal in mind. As a medical student, I have realized that people who have set health goals usually achieve better health in the long run. In my opinion, if weight loss is the goal, write it down. If you want to feel better or get a job that you love, include your goal in your Notes app. Mobile applications like MyFitnessPal, Mindful, Rise, and Nike + Training can help you achieve your fitness goals. After documenting your goal, work towards it consistently. You may have a few bad days, but there will be many good days. Tell your friends and family. Accountability is very important; having someone to remind you when you are slipping up is key. Tell your friends that you have decided to eat healthier and their eye rolls when you reach for the fries will be what you need to stay in check. Ask your family to remind you to go to the gym or meditate and watch your consistency grow. Get enough rest. Fatigue and sleep deprivation are linked with stress, unhealthy eating, and angry outbursts. If you want to improve your physical and mental wellness, get the required seven to eight hours of solid sleep. You can sneak in naps from time to time so that you feel energized and ready to kick the ball. Avoid risky unhealthy behaviors. Habits such as excessive drinking, smoking, drug use, and having multiple sexual partners are not going to improve your wellness. These habits are linked with diseases, accidents, mental illness, and a shorter life span. For improved wellness, avoid risky unhealthy behaviors. Find your tribe: In the area where you live, there are people like you committed to achieving their wellness goals. Find them and watch yourself grow. Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies: The Possibility When wellness is discussed, the focus is usually on physical wellness and fitness. Beyond the toned body and ripped abs, you deserve to be happy and feel in tune with your job, home, and environment. It may seem overwhelming, having to achieve all your goals in the seven scope framework of wellness, but you are more than capable of achieving anything that you set your mind to. And getting support from today's smartest apps in never a bad idea. Having a healthy mind and body is possible; with effort and consistency, you can achieve your goal.

The 7 Scopes of Wellness and 21 Apps to Help You Attain Them

Megan was suffering from non-stop migraines for two years. She hated going to work, couldn't concentrate on her work, and was ill frequently. It took a three-week-long headache-free vacation to make her realize the reason— Toxic Work Environment. Megan quit her job. Result? Megan is 100 times happier, better, and productive at her new workplace. The best part, now she doesn’t get depressed on weekends anymore thinking about going back to work on Monday! This scenario can be common in your workplace too. Businesses have been overlooking employee wellness for a long time. Many employers don't even consider it a priority. However, amid these challenging times, things are changing for the better. Organizations begin to realize that their business health is connected with their employees' health. That's why it’s crucial to re-think your employee wellness strategies. And, here are 3 ways you can leverage technology to revamp your employee well-being strategies. Collaboration Tools Team collaboration has always been a treasure of any successful brand. But after the devastating covid outbreak, the need for workplace collaboration has become more demanding than ever. In a crisis, anxiety and work stress can make your employees more risk-averse. That’s why you need to ensure that your employees can work flexibly and freely communicate with each other, even while working remotely. However, collaboration alone can’t increase employee engagement; you have to bring technology into play. With today’s technology, you can easily use collaboration tools to create a flexible workforce. From Google Drive, Dropbox to Skype and Slack, technology can facilitate teamwork and efficiency among employees. You can also consider using project management tools like Asana, Basecamp, Trello, and Jira to seamlessly organize, share, and delegate tasks. Gamification Trying to make life at work easy for your employees? Why don’t you add some fun elements to it? Well, I’m talking about gamifying your workplace. Technically speaking, gamification is a process to implement gaming technology in the workplace to boost employee engagement. of employees stated that they feel more motivated when an organization gamifies their training. 83% Although gamification isn’t a common term in the business world, it's shocking how many organizations have already started gamifying their workplace. You can take as an example. The company gamified and digitalized its employee training process to make it more enjoyable. Deloitte trains its own employees by embedding badges, missions, leaderboards, quizzes, and video lectures into a user-friendly online platform. The company has also organized a virtual office tour, which is designed like a video game. Deloitte’s story 360 Feedback During this pandemic, nearly stated that they’re suffering from stress and anxiety most of the time. The reason could be job losses, financial problems, work burnout, or family welfare. Stress and anxiety can affect their engagement, productivity, and overall job performance. 44% of millennials and 48% of GenZ I’m trying to say that organizations have to offer support to their employees in these challenging times. You have to encourage your employees to share their problems. If you are not aware of why they’re disengaged at work, how can you come up with a solution, right? So, as an employer, it’s your responsibility to be empathetic and listen to your people. Using 360 feedback in the workplace can promote honest communication, increase self-awareness, and productivity among employees. of HR leaders agreed on the fact that constant feedback is an essential tool to increase engagement. 64% Implementing AI chatbots can also help you gather feedback and communicate with employees. The best part is, AI-powered chatbots don't frown to work 24x7! They can reach out to employees anytime and ask if they’re doing well or need help. Wrapping Up As organizations started re-opening, business leaders must have an actionable employee well-being strategy in place. Aon’s reported that improving employee well-being performance within an organization impacts customer satisfaction and retention. Although, only 55% of companies have a well-being strategy, and just 24% of companies fully integrated well-being into their business strategy. 2021 Global Wellbeing Survey As a leader, you need to ensure that employees can communicate clearly and effectively. Encourage employees to share their concerns via online surveys, digital platforms, and collaborative tools. Be empathetic and listen to the needs. It’s high time, and businesses must focus on the most popular cliché of all time— “employees are companies' most valuable assets.”

Employee Wellness 101

We are living in the era of online everything, so there’s no wonder that healthcare is expanding to the digital space as well. While patients enjoy fast and accessible healthcare services, businesses view healthcare software development as a great opportunity to generate revenue. The global pandemic added to the quick rise of telehealth applications and wellness apps in general; more than ever before people want to take care of themselves with all the available tools out there. Today, I’m exploring the niche of telehealth and wellness applications development including their functionality, trends, and benefits for the industry. Telehealth and Healthcare Software Statistics In 2019, the telemedicine global market reached in value. $45 billion By 2026, the telehealth sector is expected to grow by $175 billion. The total number of telehealth patients has grown by more than in five years (2013-2018). This number continues to grow. 6.5 million North America is the biggest market for telehealth globally. of physicians actively use their smartphones for work. 90% The number of healthcare-related applications has almost doubled in the last five years. of smartphone users utilize their devices to search for information about their symptoms or health conditions. 62% Hospitals that offer branded healthcare apps demonstrate among their patients. higher satisfaction ratings t.png https://www.grandviewresearch.com/static/img/research/north-america-healthcare-mobile-applications-marke Reasons Behind The Telehealth and Wellness Apps Popularity (often referred to as telehealth or mHealth) is the . Mobile healthcare use of telecommunication tools to provide distant patient care This includes calls, video conferencing, data storage and processing, file exchange, calendar for appointments scheduling, and even an online payment system. While medical software development attracts companies with continuous revenue, it’s the sincere user interest that makes this industry sector go round. Below is a list of reasons why modern people value healthcare software development services so highly: Beyond question, we all want to prolong our well-being as long as possible, and that’s exactly what healthcare applications are promising to assist us in. From an app that reminds you to stay hydrated during the day to more complex solutions for prescription management and chronic symptoms tracking, the benefit of such applications speaks for itself. Add to this the fact that there are hundreds of conditions that require ongoing management, and you’ll get just as many healthcare software ideas to launch. Interest that stays for life. The essence of telehealth is that it allows practitioners to care for patients remotely. This opens up a ton of opportunities for people who have limited access to quality healthcare, like citizens of developing countries, patients with low mobility, field workers, etc. High accessibility. Custom medical software makes healthcare distribution almost instant, and not just because it substitutes paperwork with digital data processing. It also lets people fill in a questionnaire instead of initial check-up at the hospital (that comes after you schedule an appointment and wait for it God knows how long) and many other time-consuming things like prescription renewal, getting lab results, etc. Commitment to the moment. The lack of resources in healthcare is a huge issue that both government and medical device software development companies are trying to solve. Things like reduced stay-in time, faster patient care delivery, cross-hospital communication for more even patient allocation became possible because of well-made healthcare CRM systems and client-facing applications. Redistribution of healthcare resources. Since mHealth positively affects the working environments in healthcare facilities and helps in saving up resources, it didn’t take long to start showing the financial benefits for patients as well. Insurance companies are also taking a new look at the telemedicine practices promoting it on the federal level due to its remarkable cost-effectiveness. Cost reduction. Let’s face it, by this point we all are pretty addicted to using our smartphones. That’s why it is so important to load them with applications that do more than just entertain us. Custom healthcare software development companies contribute greatly to raising awareness of many serious conditions by notifying their users on annual check-ups and other things that should be done regularly. Awareness scale-up. Your Basic Telehealth App Functionality The vast majority of all smartphone users are already familiar with how wellness applications look and work, but it’s not always the case with telemedicine software. Below you can find the basic functionality of such an application described: Double-sided interface for patients and practitioners; Personal profiles for different user roles; Electronic medical record (EMR) integration with databases; In-app messaging for instant communication; Online appointment scheduling through calendar; Video conferencing and calls that provide high-quality image resolution and clear sound; Integrated payment processing for easy and secure financial transactions; HIPAA compliance and abidance by other healthcare laws and regulations. Healthcare Software Development Trends While for some of us medical software development services still sounds a bit unusual, thousands of people actively use such applications and form industry standards and tendencies through reporting their feedback. Here are the healthcare software development trends that I think will be on the rise in 2021: 1. Customer-Centered Platforms This trend is mostly related to medical software design. Regardless of what type of product you develop ― a CRM system, fitness application, , etc. ― it’s got to be as user-friendly as possible. telemedicine API Things like extraordinary design, unusual navigation, and chaotic toolkits should be avoided at all costs, because with health, ease of use always takes over the artistic taste. Companies that truly care about releasing effective end products seem to have come to an unspoken agreement that the patient always has to come first. 2. Open Content Management System Content is the essence of any application, and to keep the content production process going is costly and time consuming. An outstanding example of content creation freedom for users was years ago demonstrated by MyFitnessPal ― one of the most popular fitness applications worldwide. This app allows users to load its databases with their custom content ― in this case, meals with calories and nutrients counted ― that later becomes available for the rest of MyFitnessPal users. This quickly transformed into a trend that doesn’t seem to decrease any time soon: wellness apps developers are trying to design their apps in a way that would let users contribute to the applications’ databases making them more content-heavy thus more engaging. 3. Accent Shifting to Security and Stability It’s hard to imagine a more sensitive information to share than a patient record. That’s why cybersecurity should always be a first priority for healthcare software development companies. This applies to both data storage and data transferring. Software developers nowadays pay extra attention to data transfer protocols that assure stable communication and network safety even with unstable connections. For patients living in the areas with unstable internet coverage, technologies like Bluetooth can be used as an extra option for stable data exchange. This would be a vivid demonstration of how service stability can be achieved with technologies that have been around for years and still remain valuable under certain circumstances. 4. Cross-Platform Support Clearly, people should never be deprived of high-quality healthcare applications regardless of the hardware they are using. Telehealth and wellness applications have extremely wide target audiences which cannot be limited to iPhone/Android users. These days, custom healthcare software developers know that to successfully promote an application, it is a must to make sure it runs equally well on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Also, older devices with corresponding versions of operating systems shouldn’t be neglected as well. In any other case, a healthcare app risks to compromise most of its effectiveness. 5. It’s Not About Weight Loss Anymore Body positivity social movement has penetrated many businesses including fashion, makeup, and of course selfcare programs like wellness and fitness applications. This does not mean that online calorie counters and digital workout assistants ceased to exist, but their marketing strategies have definitely changed. In 2021, aggressively pushing the idea that thin means beautiful or speaking negatively of corpulent people might cost you a reputation. 6. Pandemic Alert as a Stand-Alone Feature The fact that we all got tired of talking about COVID-19 doesn’t make this topic any less hyped, especially for healthcare professionals and software providers. This explains why most medicine and wellness app owners rushed to add some sort of pandemic or quarantine alert to their interfaces. After all, a small adding to Corona awareness doesn’t harm anyone, does it? Summing up Custom healthcare software development is a profitable niche in the global IT market. The current state of this industry sector holds many opportunities for business owners enthusiastic about healthcare. Working closely with software development providers, I’m noticing the growing interest in wellness, telemedicine, and selfcare applications both for end users and investors. User demand for these kinds of applications is still on the rise and has not reached its peak. What’s more, over the past 10 months more and more people have become increasingly more comfortable with receiving healthcare services remotely. Meanwhile, the supply of developers with experience in similar applications isn’t growing as fast. If telehealth and wellness applications is a market in which you want to get a solid foothold, it is important that you begin acting sooner rather than later.

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