Top Ten Trends for LOHAS in 2009

Saturday, January 17th 2009 @ 9:45 AM (1 ratings)    post viewed 4637 times

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I just discovered the Top Ten Trends for LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) for 2009.

There seems to be a theme of "recalibration" or "resetting the scales" which is in line with what many people were asking for last year; CHANGE.

It's obvious that we cannot continue to live in a linear fashion as we are continuing to deplete the Earths resources and must begin to live in a "closed loop" to ensure the sustainability of life on this gorgeous planet we have as our home.

Combine this with a "Year of Acceleration" and there is a great recipe for fast change and a hundredth monkey effect. Many people I know are talking about 2009 as being a wonderful year where the promise of all the hard work that so many have been doing starts coming to fruition.

There are many fantastic initiatives including Transition Towns which has taken off in New Zealand and with so many good-hearted people working toward a common goal it will be wonderful to see it all unfold over the next 11-and-a-half months and beyond.

It's hard to find any "good news" on TV, however, it's important to remember that there's always an equal amount of goodness that's happening on our planet. That must mean that there is ALOT of good things happening right now.

NMI President Maryellen Molyneaux says; "After a decade of dualities, highs and lows, consumers are resetting the scales. Our research indicates that consumers are seeking 'The Middle Way' which NMI defines as a lifestyle approach grounded in comfort, safety, sustainability and moderation. It's manifesting itself in a rising demand for consistent and nourishing energy as an alternative to the roller coaster of caffeine and sleep aids to a reorganization of family finances. It's all about balance --- balanced nutrition, balanced budgets, balanced lifestyles and balanced energy".

Remember it always starts from within with our own choices and it's great to see that these choices are being reflected in other humans of similar hearts and minds.

Here are the Top 10 Trends for LOHAS in 2009

1. Small Steps, Big Changes
   Consumers are beginning to make long-term changes to their lifestyle in a trend that represents realistic and tangible steps rather than sporadic and short-lived initiatives. From walking to work or getting another hour of sleep for better health to recycling or turning down the thermostat for the environment --- sustainable, moderate, consistent and practical are the daily mantras of the Small Steps, Big Changes movement.
   
   
2. From Isolation to Affiliation
   After a protracted  housing boom which resulted in suburban sprawl, staggering commutes and isolated neighborhoods, consumers are seeking once again to reconnect with one another. From a resurgence in shared community living models, "the new communes", to a renewed interest in volunteerism, community gardens, YMCAs and other community centers, neighbors are looking for new (and old) ways to connect with other people.
   
   
3. Being Here. Now.
   From multi-tasking and the never-ending pace of work to the technological "tools" that constantly catapult us to another place and time, there is a growing recognition that we are being robbed of the present moment. To escape this preoccupation with either the past or the future, consumers are embracing metaphysics, such as Eckhart Tolle’s "A New Earth" or "The Power of Now", and are expressing a growing interest in eco-tourism, slow cooking and experiential consumption in an effort to be in the moment.
   
   
4. LOHAS 360
   The tipping point of the fusion between personal health and planetary sustainability has arrived. Now more than ever, the distinction between the two paradigms is blurred as consumers include their own personal health as a microcosm and reflection of the health of the planet. Increasingly, consumers' values are resonating with companies that are able to fuse both a personal and planetary perspective into their brand/company offerings.
   
   
5. Clean Sweep
   Consumers are expressing a desire to eliminate anything toxic from their lives and seeking to control things that are within their sphere of influence --- their relationships, their lifestyles and their bodies. With increased concern about environmental factors, the phenomenon of detoxification as a way to improve personal health is also growing and manifesting in everything from non-toxic consumer electronics and household cleaning products to spa detox and air filtration systems.
   
   
6. Not So Alternative
   From alternative fuels to alternative apparel, choices and options challenging the status quo across industries are being embraced.  With the increased usage of alternative healthcare practices, physicians, insurers, employers, and consumers are embracing a more preventative approach to health.  And as consumers continue to search for solutions to global warming, business and government will accelerate the navigation of environmental sustainability. Will the status quo ever be the same?
   
   
7. Root Causes
   Rather than simply evaluating consequences or treating symptoms, consumers are beginning to ask not only "what"  but "why?"  From increased interest in a company's supply chain – where materials come from and how they’re made -- to a recognition that lifestyle, environmental factors, and issues related to vascular inflammation are the fundamental components of aging and disease, consumers are taking a closer and more informed look at the underlying causes of health and sustainability.
   
   
8. Beauty Shop
   A new definition of "beauty" is emerging, reflecting the growing awareness that beauty comes from the inside – transparent and timeless.  This new appreciation for all things authentic is translating across categories including vintage clothing, classic cars and historic renovations.  For personal beauty, it is reflected in the new status symbol of naturally looking good at any age, without the aid of invasive procedures or plastic surgery.
   
   
9. Energy 2.0
   Energy 2.0 reflects our emerging desire to conserve energy on both a personal and planetary level.  Rather than squandering our energy, we realize that our bodies, like the planet, are not an inexhaustible resource.  This planetary health is manifesting itself on topics ranging from climate change to land conservation to renewables.  On a personal level, consumers are demanding consistent and sustained energy for themselves. They are dissatisfied with the high/low spikes, but interested instead in healthier alternatives to caffeine and sugar.
   
   
10. Heirlooms
    In all areas of consumption, consumers are choosing to buy less to buy better.  This trend reflects a desire for products with greater meaning, and given the economic downturn, is expected to continue to grow across categories.  Now more than ever, products that reflect a rich or unique brand story are perceived to be more valuable – from an evolving desire for heirloom, artisanal and varietal foods to treasures found on eBay, it reflects our desire for history, for legends, and for legacies.

So what do you think? Can you feel the change?

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These trends are the result of various Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) research sources including the Health & Wellness Trends Database ™ (HWTD), the LOHAS Consumer Trends Database ™ (LCTD), and Healthy Aging/Boomer Database™ (HAB) as well as analysis of current activities in the marketplace. NMI databases, now including 10 years of data across 500,000+ U.S. consumers, provide comprehensive information across more than 150 product categories.

 

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Speak Up and Share Your Wisdom

Tuesday, January 13th 2009 @ 10:26 AM (2 ratings)    post viewed 1836 times

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Guest blog post by Tara Joyce

The web is a funny invention. Many cry that it has ruined writing. That all the CU L8R’s and !!!!!! are a travesty. But I disagree. The web is the first medium that allows the individual to share their unique perspective with the world. Before the web, we could only shine our light on those in direct proximity to us.

But now we have computers and internet connections and the ability to interact with people from all over the world. And even better, we have the ability to share our wisdom with people who want to hear it.

Of course, that is easier said than done. For a lot of us, broadcasting our thoughts is a frightening prospect. Speaking up, putting oneself out there for the world to love, hate or ignore, doesn’t come easy.

The Inner Critic

Why would anyone care to read what you think?

Maybe you’ll sound stupid. Maybe your writing sucks. Maybe what you write will be obvious and trite.

Or even worse, maybe what you write won’t be perfect. Maybe it won’t be up to the high standards you set for yourself.

The Inner Truth

But if you write about something you are passionate about and if you write about it with truth and honesty, it will feel amazing and it will be ‘good enough’.

Remember, no one else is like you. No one else knows exactly what you know and communicates it in the way you do. You have so much wisdom that only you can share.

Your Thoughts Matter

The web has given the individual the power to share their unique wisdom. You now have the chance to make a difference in more people’s lives than you ever have before.

It’ll be scary writing that first article (and maybe even the rest after that – I still get anxious each time I publish) but your thoughts will connect with someone, I guarantee it. All it takes authenticity. Writing honestly about what you care about.

Finding Inspiration to Speak Up

• Don’t force it. The ideas will come to you.

• Jot down your thoughts when you read, hear or see something that inspires you.

• Be conscious of the conversations you have with others and how your perspective adds value.

• Start small. You don’t have to jump in with both feet. Start by making a comment on an article that inspires you. Or writing a review of something you appreciated.

"Creative Commons License photo credit: h.koppdelaney"

Tara Joyce is a writer and web consultant who first spoke up on June 6, 2008 with the article, Are You An Innerpreneur?

She didn’t know if anyone would care and she worried that they wouldn’t. But she quickly learned that her voice did matter and that there was a tribe of people who could benefit from her message.

Tara Joyce @ Venture Capital IT 2009 from Gesventure on Vimeo.

 

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Goals for Holistic Living in 2009

Sunday, January 4th 2009 @ 2:36 PM (1 ratings)    post viewed 1492 times

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How has 2009 started for you? Did you make any resolutions?

I used to make resolutions coz that's what everyone else I knew did. Now I like to go through a different process of actual goal-setting, visualisation and being in the asking of whether or not what I'm asking for is actually for my highest and greatest good.

This past 12 months I've been absolutely blessed with having the opportunity to work from home full-time and although it's been quite a testing transition I am thoroughly grateful for all the lessons and blessings that I've received.

Looking back over 2008 and remembering all that I've achieved with Holistic Living, I realized that most of the goals I'd set that I did achieve, had been written down on paper, and the ones I hadn't were on my computer.

There just seems to be something about writing on a piece of paper, some kind of alchemy that works better than computerizing my tasks and goals.

So over the first few days of 2009 I've come up with a (written) list of goals that I'd like to achieve on Holistic Living this year;

Simplify
I'm going to be making a few changes to the look and feel of the site as well as trimming down on the available functions. The site works best for blogging, podcasts, forums and video so I'll be highlighting these and minimizing or switching off the rest.

Video tutorials
I've always been fascinated with video and now that the technology is available I'll be continuing to make more and better video tutorials on how to get the most out of the site from both a technical and marketing point of view.

Podcasting
This year I'd like to start our Holistic Living Show podcast, doing interviews with inspiring and interesting leaders of the natural, sustainable and holistic health and wellness movement.

Shopping Cart
We will be building a new shopping cart from the ground up. Cleaner, easier, more products, shipping calculator and multiple currencies (including NZ dollars, yay!).

Promotion
A big emphasis on the promotion of the site. We'd like to get Holistic Living inside the top 100,000 sites worldwide this year and make it one of New Zealand's premier sites.

Blogging
I really must update my blog on a more regular basis.

So there you go, I've put it out there for all to see!

If you are interested in vision boards, here is a neat Feng Shui Vision Board.

Don't overestimate how much you can achieve in a month, never underestimate how much you'll achieve in a year.

Do you have any goal-setting ideas?

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