Have You Joined the Wellness Revolution Yet?

The trend toward health and wellness continues nearly ten years on since Paul Zane Pilzer first published The Wellness Revolution. In that book, Pilzer predicted explosive growth in the health and wellness field in the coming decade. As we near the 10th anniversary since the publication of that book, that trend continues despite the weak economy of the past few years. Health and wellness has been one of the strongest and most recession resistant areas of the economy.

"Wellness industry products and services have perhaps the strongest legs of any product or service, as people immediately notice when someone has a wellness experience and are anxious to duplicate the results."
-- Paul Zane Pilzer
There are signs of this all around, as many more persons are seeking out alternative health practitioners who emphasize prevention rather than treatment of disease led by the baby boomer generation, but now closly followed by younger generations too.
A growing awareness of the effects of toxic chemicals in agribusiness as well as concerns about the use of hormones, antibiotics and general inhumane practices of raising livestock has contributed to the rising popularity of organic foods. The organic products, which have been raised without the use of chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, hormones and antibiotics has been a growth area in agriculture.
As consumers seek healthier alternatives, organic farming has morphed from the fringes of agricultural producers to main stream, as organic produce, dairy and other products are made available even in chain grocers such as Wal-Mart. Along with that is the increasing number of farmers markets where shoppers are able to buy locally produced food items ranging from flower plants and herbs, fruits and vegetables, honey, dairy, meat, poultry, and even baked goods directly from the producers.
Fitness and exercise venues are also areas that continue to grow although impacted somewhat by the recession as some people cut back on their spending for monthly memberships. Yoga, martial arts, jazzercise, health clubs, and other programs remain popular as people realize the value of physical activity for health and well-being.
These health trends are the result of increasing numbers of people who desire to take more control over their personal health and well being, by seeking more choices both in their diet and their options for physical fitness as well.