A new survey from VICE Media (people aged 16–39 from 30 countries) sheds interesting light on how COVID-19 is driving new attitudes—and more investment in—health and wellness among millennials and Gen Z.
Young people report that they’re much more dedicated to their wellness since COVID-19 and that it’s their mental wellbeing (even more than their medical wellbeing) that they consider the most important element of their health. Mental wellness has significantly grown in importance since the crisis, and they’re taking action: One in five has added a meditation practice.
We could see a big increase in investment in physical health: 52% say they will spend more time—and 20% plan to spend more money—on fitness post-COVID. But workouts look to change: 47% will exercise at home, skipping gyms and in-person classes. Outdoor (and simple) fitness will surge: 64% plan to make walking and running, 38% cycling, and 35% hiking, central to their post-pandemic workout routine.
More than half of millennials/Gen Z report that science-backed health and wellness info now becomes more important. And 60% believe that “the way we take care of our health will be the most lasting societal change after this pandemic.”
