Medicosnext
Dr Pragati Nakarmi
She is a Kathmandu-based practitioner of naturopathy and yogic sciences, dedicated to promoting holistic health through natural and integrative healing. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, where she trained in both traditional and modern therapeutic practices. With a strong belief in the body’s innate ability to heal, she creates personalized wellness approaches that support physical, mental, and emotional balance. Currently practicing in Kathmandu, Dr. Nakarmi is part of a growing movement focused on preventive and lifestyle-based healthcare.
The term wellness emphasizes preventive care, healthy lifestyle choices, and personal responsibility for maintaining overall well-being. It recognizes that true health is achieved when the body, mind, and spirit are in harmony. This holistic approach encourages individuals to actively pursue a balanced lifestyle, creating an environment where the body can heal by itself. Wellness is not just about physical or mental well-being, but a state in which the body is healthy physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and environmentally, teaching us to cherish life. As the saying goes, “Vitality is life in full bloom.” Vitality represents the inner life energy that empowers the body to function with strength, balance, and resilience, and in the realm of wellness, it serves as a fundamental pillar supporting overall health and well-being.
Reason behind The Global Wellness Movement
The global wellness movement has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by several interconnected factors. Rising stress levels and lifestyle-related health problems have prompted individuals to seek ways to maintain balance and prevent illness through safer and reliable methods, leading to a greater focus on and belief in holistic health practices. Alongside this, there is an increased awareness of mental health, with more people recognizing the importance of emotional well-being, mindfulness, and stress management as integral components of overall health. People are now actively adopting measures that reduce the stress hormone- cortisol and create space for the “happy hormones.”
A growing desire for preventive healthcare has further fueled the movement, as people increasingly aim to upgrade their lifestyles. Wellness is no longer seen as a treatment; it is a way of life. Digital platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have also played a significant role by spreading awareness, wellness trends, fitness routines, healthy eating tips, and mindfulness practices to a global audience. Inspirational stories shared by individuals often act as a light in the dark, motivating others to keep going and never give up.
Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility of health and prompted a surge in health consciousness, motivating individuals worldwide to prioritize self-care, immunity, and holistic well-being. The pandemic also taught us that being not only physically well but also mentally and emotionally strong supports immunity and enhances overall well-being.
Growth of The Wellness Industry
In the global economy, wellness has emerged as a powerful influence. The global wellness sector has grown so rapidly in recent years. As wellness grows more prevalent and integrated into our daily lives, it’s easy to forget that only 10-20 years ago, there was no widely accepted concept of “wellness,” let alone an industry named “wellness.”
According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the wellness economy is composed of organizations that help people integrate wellness practices and lifestyles into their everyday routines.
The sector was valued at $3.4 trillion in 2013, according to the first edition of the Global Spa & Wellness Economy Monitor. Between 2023 and 2024, the global wellness economy grew by 7.9%. 2025 research says, the industry which includes corporate wellness, digital health technologies, wellness tourism, public health policy, and functional medicine had expanded to $6.3 trillion. Over the long term, the wellness sector has consistently grown at a faster rate than the global economy, with an average annual growth of 6.5% between 2013 and 2024, compared to 3.2% for global GDP. As of 2024, wellness accounts for 6.12% of the world’s GDP.
Geographically, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe collectively generate around 90% of industry revenues, with North America recently overtaking Asia-Pacific as the largest regional contributor. At the same time, emerging economies in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are growing rapidly, supported by government investments, advances in digital health, and an increased emphasis on holistic well-being. Today, the wellness industry has become a more powerful economic force than the green economy, IT, tourism, or sports.
Looking ahead, GWI projects that the global wellness economy will grow by 7.6% per year between 2024 and 2029, significantly faster than the 4.5% projected growth of global GDP. By 2029, the wellness economy is expected to reach around $9.8 trillion, highlighting its rapid expansion and increasing influence on the global economy.
Role of Traditional/Alternative Methods
Health is a dynamic and holistic concept, influenced by factors such as genetics, environment, lifestyle choices, and access to healthcare. An effective healthcare system is one that provides high-quality care to all individuals, ensuring services are accessible, affordable, and equitable, while prioritizing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the integration of traditional and alternative healthcare systems, especially after the post-pandemic era, as more people seek holistic and preventive approaches to health. Traditional practices including naturopathy, yoga, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and the use of spices and natural remedies in daily cooking can complement modern medicine by improving patient outcomes, reducing symptoms, and addressing the root causes of illness. As the saying goes, “Let the kitchen be your pharmacy, otherwise the pharmacy will be your kitchen.”
By combining traditional and modern health care approaches, healthcare can become more personalized and culturally sensitive, helping to reduce disparities and offering a holistic path to well-being that considers an individual’s socio-cultural beliefs and practices.
Role of Wellness in Various Sectors
Physical Activity
Physical, movement-based activity is central to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and plays a vital role in the wellness economy. This sector encompasses consumer spending on intentional physical activities, including sports, fitness, and mindful movement, primarily performed during leisure and recreational time. In 2023, the sector was valued at $1,059.7 billion, accounting for approximately 16.8% of total global wellness economy spending, making it the third-largest sector overall.
Mental Wellness
Though more difficult to quantify, mental wellness can be understood as an active internal resource that enables individuals to grow, flourish, and build resilience, supporting healthy thinking, connection, emotional regulation, and overall functioning. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) identifies four sub-sectors within the mental wellness economy: meditation, self-improvement, sensory experiences and sleep, and brain-boosting nutraceuticals and botanicals. Global spending on mental wellness reached an estimated $232.6 billion in 2023, marking an increase of over 50% compared to 2019.
Spa Economy
The spa economy includes revenues from spa facilities establishments designed to promote wellness through therapeutic and professional services aimed at rejuvenating the body, mind, and spirit as well as supporting sectors such as spa education and training, associations, consulting services, capital investments, and spa-related events and media. Due to its in-person nature, the spa industry was among the most negatively impacted sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has since recovered and exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with the GWI estimating annual revenues of $136.8 billion in 2023.
Workplace Wellness
The workplace wellness market encompasses employer expenditures on activities, services, programs, and equipment designed to improve employee health and well-being. These initiatives typically focus on education, awareness, and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices among employees. Although the sector was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, by 2023 it had almost fully recovered to pre-pandemic spending levels, with total expenditures estimated at $51.77 billion.
Wellness Tourism
Wellness tourism refers to travel and travel-related spending associated with pursuing or maintaining personal well-being. After recovering from the pandemic-related downturn, the sector has experienced strong growth, with wellness tourism expenditures reaching an estimated $830 billion in 2023.
Personal Care and Beauty
The personal care and beauty industry broadly refers to consumer spending on products and services aimed at personal hygiene and appearance, including the care of the body, face, skin, nails, and hair. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), this sector also includes products and services that address age-related health and appearance concerns, such as supplements and pharmaceuticals designed for age-specific conditions. Valued at $1,212.7 billion in 2023, the personal care and beauty sector is the largest within the wellness economy, accounting for 19.2% of total global wellness spending.
Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM)
The traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) economy encompasses a wide and continually evolving range of alternative medical practices used worldwide. This includes Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic care, herbal remedies, energy healing, and more. These practices provide holistic and preventive approaches to health, often complementing modern medicine by addressing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the sector’s global market reached an estimated $553.0 billion in 2023.
Conclusion
The global rise of wellness reflects a profound shift in how individuals and societies prioritize health and well-being. From preventive care and mental wellness to physical activity, traditional medicine, and personal care, the wellness industry has become a powerful economic and cultural force, shaping lifestyles, workplaces, tourism, and healthcare systems worldwide. The integration of modern and traditional approaches emphasizes a holistic perspective, recognizing that true health encompasses the body, mind, spirit, and environment. As the wellness economy continues to expand and evolve, it underscores the importance of personal responsibility, conscious lifestyle choices, and a balanced approach to life, reminding us that investing in wellness is not merely a trend but a sustainable path to long-term health, resilience, and vitality.
