Alison McCarthy

We predicted CBD oil would be a thriving business in 2019 –– but it will soon likely be a skyrocketing one, thanks to the passage of the new Farm Bill. This means consumers may find a whole lot of anxiety relief, and hemp farmers and product manufacturers will likely see big profits.

Meditation is now the fastest-growing wellness activity in the United States. Because it’s a free (or mostly free) practice, brands will probably need to get creative if they want to capitalize on the trend — especially since the app category is already saturated.

There’s no denying SoulCycle has a huge competitor on its heels. Whether Peloton has surged past the studio-class brand is still unclear. Regardless, SoulCycle needs to find a way to regroup — and fast — if it wants to remain the leader in the stationary cycling space.

If one of the goals of wellness is to connect with others, well-being brands are wise to create communities that allow people to bond with one another and feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves.

Exercise, yoga, and meditation are surging in popularity, but consumers are as time-crunched as ever. It’s no wonder that the audio-based fitness brand Aaptiv (yes, there’s an app for that) has taken off.

A brand like Hims (and now Hers), which makes it easier to gain access to health and wellness at a lower cost, all while touting smart design, knows what it’s doing. And it will probably see the revenue to prove it.

People are feeling frazzled these days, whether they're exhausted from constant connection (thanks technology!) or anxious about where the world is headed –– or both. Companies are picking up on this and marketing products and experiences accordingly.

Hotel companies are making big hiring moves to better position themselves in the wellness space. With so much momentum in the sector at the moment, this makes sense. How much investing in wellness actually adds up financially, though, is up for debate.

Teaming up with Amazon could mean cash flow now, but at what cost down the line? It’s a question every brand that partners with the giant should ask –– especially in the wellness industry, when so much of a company’s DNA centers around cultivating a feel-good image.

New data show that the global wellness industry is on the rise: It’s now worth $4.2 trillion. Smart companies are innovating to stay ahead, exhibited by the Lululemon and Strava fitness-meets-digital partnership and Equinox’s move into luxury wellness tourism.