Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) recently published its 2022 Whole Living Consumer Database Report, which highlights consumer studies based on many facets of wellness, which encompasses much more than the absence of illness.
 
The report covers data gathered on consumers’ overall physical, mental, and social wellbeing, not just the absence of health issues or medical conditions. The construct for the study is based on six dimensions of wellness – emotional, physical, technological, financial, environmental, and social health.
 
Financial health is defined as concern over one’s financial future, which covers a broad spectrum of health issues. Social health is defined as an awareness of one’s importance in society, and the impact they have on multiple connection points. Physical health encompasses both looking and feeling good. Technological health deals with how consumers use technology to understand their own health and how they can empower themselves to improve upon it. Environmental health covers an embrace of environmental responsibility and sustainability, making a connection between personal and ecological health. Lastly, emotional health involves the management of life in personally-rewarding ways and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
 
“In essence, as consumers become more aware that their health is dependent on the health of all dimensions, they will be prepared for their lifelong journey in pursuit of satisfaction, happiness, and balance,” Steve French, COO of Research America, said.
 
The survey reveals that while some aspects of consumers’ lives appear to be on track, others are not balanced when it comes to the six dimensions studied. Some examples include that: almost half of all American consumers are very satisfied that their life is in a balanced state; only one in four consumers are satisfied with living an environmentally-friendly and sustainable lifestyle; and half of consumers are often confused by the changing information on what they are supposed to do to live a healthy lifestyle.
 
However, in the past decade, significantly more consumers have come to indicate a more satisfying life by having fewer material possessions, and today, almost three out of four consumers feel positive and hopeful about the future.