Global Wellness Institute report spotlights importance of play for teenagers

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released its 2025 Initiative Micro Trends Report which covers 30 global topics. From youth wellness and AI driving innovation in healthcare to a backlash against ice baths, for the first time, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has collected subject-specific wellness trends from their 30 Initiatives in a new 128-page report. 

Among the topics in the report is the Wellness for Children Initiative which identifies the following trends:

TREND 1: Teenager Activities to Support Mental Health
Although time and opportunities for teenagers to play have decreased, studies continue to show the importance of play for teenagers. With one in seven 10 to 19-year-olds in the US and one in six five to 16-years-old in the UK experiencing mental health issues (WHO, 2024), developing accessible, inclusive, and safe areas for teenagers to meet and play is essential for their holistic wellbeing.
The benefits of play for teenagers include:

• Releases stress and promotes relaxation

• Sparks creativity and imagination

• Improves mood and mental wellbeing

• Strengthens physical wellbeing

• Grows social skills, problem-solving, and connections

To enable these benefits, there are trends to enhance teen mental health in spas and wellness centres. These include spa services such as adapted massage, hydrotherapy, facials, fitness circuits, relaxation therapies, sound vibrations and music therapies, halotherapy, and outdoor wellbeing that will enrich a teen’s sleep, outlook, and overall wellness. 

Several recreational activities for teens that are trending in the US are chess, journaling, social clubs, Japanese anime, puzzles, and drawing. GWI notes it is essential to consider a teenager’s interests and preferences when seeking opportunities and to always allow for personal choice. 

TREND 2: Analog Wellness
Digital Detox retreats for young people are on the rise in several wellness destinations around the globe. It’s an opportunity to disconnect, decompress, and discover what truly makes one happy. With many countries creating laws to manage teenagers’ access to social media, GWI see a rise in global organisations such as World Digital Detox Day, sharing data and information for families on how best to manage social media use at home, school, and beyond.

TREND 3: Europe’s Bathhouse Revival - Young Adults Fight ‘Happiness Recession’
In Europe, GWI see a renewed interest in bath houses and saunas, with an increase in young people gathering to enjoy the health benefits and  meet like-minded people. As young people adopt the term ‘happiness recession’ to describe their loneliness, it only makes sense to focus on community wellbeing.

TREND 4: China’s Youth Turn to ‘Reverse Consumption’ making Frugality Social
Chinese youth are becoming increasingly aware of how they spend their money. They are looking for ‘value for money’ lifestyle, using terms such as ‘reverse consumption’ to describe a change in shopping habits including, food, clothes and accessories. Saving money has become a fun and interactive way to make friends.

TREND 5: Lazy Health – Youth Embrace Easy, Affordable Wellness
Lazy Health indicates a movement among young people who add wellness practices to their life without spending a lot of money or overexerting themselves. Examples include a foot soak, getting to bed early, a walk in the park, and taking supplements. These simple, enjoyable experiences are on the rise everywhere.

TREND 6: Inclusive Family Travel - Sensory-Friendly Wellness for All Ages
Inclusive family travel trends are focusing not only on the needs of teens, but also on families within the neurodivergent community. The hospitality, spa, and wellness sectors can promote awareness, acceptance, appreciation, and accessibility through tailored, family-friendly experiences. Wellness for Children has initiated a sensory-supported certification, enabling spas and resorts to collaborate with GWI to create customised sensory designs for all ages. This training will empower staff to provide a positive and uplifting experience for all families. 

The GWI identification of the significance of play for children and teenagers aligns with that of The Play 32 collective who launched their position paper during the International Play Association Asia Pacific Play Conference, held in Melbourne on Thursday 26th June.

The Play 32 collective, a coalition of Australian health, sporting, design, and play organisations, universities, and childhood development groups, is calling on the organisers of Brisbane 2032 to ensure play is a long-lasting legacy of the Olympic Games.

The coalition includes Australian Institute of Play, Design Institute of Australia, Little Athletics QLD, Play Australia, Play Matters Australia, Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (an initiative of Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth) and University of Southern Queensland.

Play Matters Australia Chief Executive, Penny Creamer notes “play supports brain development, physical health, mental wellbeing, and social skills. It contributes to school readiness, emotional regulation, and lifelong learning; while outdoor play increases physical activity, enhances motor skills, and fosters resilience, curiosity, and problem-solving.

“Play is both the start and the spark of a sporting nation and a child who plays is more likely to be physically active throughout life.”

Download the full GWI 2025 Initiative Micro Trends Report which includes the Wellness for Children Initiative 

Access the Play32 Position Paper