By Sean Moloughney, Editor07.18.22
The natural and nutritional products market has continued to expand and blossom in part by attracting people who are intent on improving and maintaining their health. For example, the inclusion of dietary supplements in a personal wellness plan is an expression of “self-care,” a broad yet important concept that also happens to be big business. Consumers can find a seemingly infinite supply of self-care methods and strategies, tools, tips, and tricks just a couple of clicks away from their favorite spa’s homepage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.”
The concept of self-care encompasses hygiene (general and personal); nutrition (type and quality of food); lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure, etc.); environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.); socioeconomic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.); and self-medication, according to the WHO.
Fundamentally, self-care appeals to individuals, as well as communities and social groups, with principles like self-reliance, empowerment, autonomy, and personal responsibility. Today especially, with an onslaught of stress and disruption since COVID-19, and a “healthcare system” in the U.S. that too broadly fails to deliver health or wellness, self-care can often feel like the only type of care available.
According to the market research and analytics company IRI, “self-care is pervasive and growing, spanning many CPG categories and creating a behemoth $450-billion opportunity.” And that was back in 2018! “Self-care has become a disruptive consumer macro trend that is rippling across the industry,” IRI’s report stated. “CPG brands and retailers must understand how this trend is impacting their own portfolios and channels, as well as those of competitors.”
From meditation to diet and exercise, there’s likely a podcast on every commercialized way you can think of spinning this self-care beast.
In the nutraceuticals world, the $11 billion herbal dietary supplement market represents a healthy branch of the self-care tree. But there are immediate and long-term threats to confront, including adulteration/quality matters and climate collapse. The health and sustainability of the natural environment that supports the ecosystem of self-care is fundamental. If you’ve read my work before you know I’ve talked plenty about that from this soap box. So don’t take my word for it, listen to the experts in our coverage of the herbal products market.
Meanwhile, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be out bathing in nature, listening to calming classical music, and ignoring the barrage of notifications on my lifeline to the chaos that’s consuming our little corner of the galaxy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.”
The concept of self-care encompasses hygiene (general and personal); nutrition (type and quality of food); lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure, etc.); environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.); socioeconomic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.); and self-medication, according to the WHO.
Fundamentally, self-care appeals to individuals, as well as communities and social groups, with principles like self-reliance, empowerment, autonomy, and personal responsibility. Today especially, with an onslaught of stress and disruption since COVID-19, and a “healthcare system” in the U.S. that too broadly fails to deliver health or wellness, self-care can often feel like the only type of care available.
According to the market research and analytics company IRI, “self-care is pervasive and growing, spanning many CPG categories and creating a behemoth $450-billion opportunity.” And that was back in 2018! “Self-care has become a disruptive consumer macro trend that is rippling across the industry,” IRI’s report stated. “CPG brands and retailers must understand how this trend is impacting their own portfolios and channels, as well as those of competitors.”
From meditation to diet and exercise, there’s likely a podcast on every commercialized way you can think of spinning this self-care beast.
In the nutraceuticals world, the $11 billion herbal dietary supplement market represents a healthy branch of the self-care tree. But there are immediate and long-term threats to confront, including adulteration/quality matters and climate collapse. The health and sustainability of the natural environment that supports the ecosystem of self-care is fundamental. If you’ve read my work before you know I’ve talked plenty about that from this soap box. So don’t take my word for it, listen to the experts in our coverage of the herbal products market.
Meanwhile, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be out bathing in nature, listening to calming classical music, and ignoring the barrage of notifications on my lifeline to the chaos that’s consuming our little corner of the galaxy.
