The newly released 2025 Global Wellness Trends report by the Global Wellness Summit predicts several key developments shaping health and well-being in the year ahead.
2025 marks a turning point in the world of wellness. More and more people are seeking a balance between a highly technological lifestyle and a more nature-connected way of living.
Two seemingly opposing movements are emerging: those seeking analog wellness and those embracing new technological solutions to support body and mind.
Analog Wellness and the Sauna Renaissance
Amidst digital overload, analog wellness is becoming an increasingly important trend. People are choosing to disconnect from the internet and be fully present in the moment.
At the same time, the sauna experience is undergoing a renaissance, becoming an essential part of both well-being and social connection.
Urban spas and rustic floating saunas offer opportunities to unwind and reconnect with traditional rituals that support both physical and mental health.
The Revival of Sauna Culture
Although technology plays a dominant role in everyday life, ancient sauna traditions are making a strong comeback.
Once considered a niche wellness practice, the sauna has evolved into a dynamic social hub, a wellness retreat, and even an alternative to nightlife.
Health Benefits of Contrast Therapy
Scientific research shows that sauna sessions can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and support heart health.
Increasingly, people are combining sauna use with cold therapy, such as ice baths or cold water plunges, which enhance metabolism and reduce inflammation.
Saunas as Social Hubs
Traditionally private and family-oriented, saunas are now transforming into communal gathering spaces.
In cities like New York, London, and Oslo, floating saunas, public bathhouses, and lakeside sauna cabins are gaining popularity, offering rituals, live music, and social experiences.
Nature-Integrated Sauna Experiences
Saunas located in scenic natural settings are booming—from Nordic harbors to Australian beaches and even desert or mountain locations.
Events like Finland’s Sauna Region Week and the UK’s beach sauna boom highlight the growing interest in wellness experiences rooted in nature.
Innovative Sauna Architecture
Modern sauna design blends tradition with innovation. Think panoramic glass walls, structures built from recycled materials, and even AI-personalized sauna experiences.
In Japan, known for its onsen culture, new saunas incorporate advanced technology and artistic elements.
The Growth of Aufguss & Sauna Rituals
Sauna rituals led by Aufguss masters are revitalizing sauna culture by combining heat therapy with music, movement, and aromatherapy.
The International Aufguss Championships now attract participants from around the world, underlining the growing cultural significance of sauna practices.
The revival of sauna culture reflects a broader desire to balance technology with nature and tradition.
Whether in urban spas or countryside retreats, the sauna is reestablishing itself as a core space for relaxation and meaningful connection.
Why 2025 is the Perfect Year for Digital Detox
Constant screen time and social media use are leading to mental exhaustion, increased stress, and reduced face-to-face interaction.
Studies show that the average adult spends over seven hours per day in front of screens, which disrupts focus and increases anxiety.
As a result, more people are looking for ways to disconnect from digital life and re-engage with real, tangible experiences.
Which Analog Wellness Activities Are Gaining Popularity?
Activities such as retreats, book clubs, board games, listening to vinyl records, and hands-on hobbies like knitting or pottery are on the rise.
At the same time, the use of smartphones and social media is declining.
People are opting for analog tools like paper calendars, instant cameras, and traditional wristwatches—bringing more presence and mindfulness into daily life.
Wellness Meets Analog: New Business Opportunities
Real-life human connection is being supported by device-free cafés, retreats, and other similar environments.
Wellness brands, resorts, and fitness centers are responding to this trend by offering tech-free experiences.
Examples include phone-free workout studios and handwriting therapy workshops, which help people slow down, refocus, and reconnect with the real world.
An Analog Wellness Life Begins with Small Choices
If you feel overwhelmed by constant notifications and screen fatigue, you’re not alone.
A small step, like a phone-free evening, a nature retreat, or a sauna session without your device, can spark meaningful change.
True presence and inner calm begin when you disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself.
How Wellness Brands Can Combine Two Growing Trends
2025 marks a pivotal moment in the wellness industry, where digital fatigue and tech overload are shifting people’s focus toward analog wellness and traditional rituals.
The revival of sauna culture and growing interest in offline experiences offer a unique opportunity to strike a balance between the chaos of the digital world and the stillness of nature.
Wellness brands now have a rare chance to combine these trends by offering authentic, multi-sensory wellness experiences.
The sauna is no longer just a place to sweat—it’s becoming a holistic wellness space, featuring sound therapy, guided breathwork, live music, and cold-water immersion.
Consumers are seeking tangible, social, and meaningful experiences that help them reconnect with themselves and their communities.
That’s why analog wellness and nature-based practices are becoming defining wellness trends not just for 2025, but for years to come.
Sauna culture and tech-free retreats offer a powerful antidote to stress and burnout—and a path back to presence, calm, and connection.
