Alta blog

By Rakesh Patel

The global health crisis is complex, multi-dimensional, and alarming. For example, obesity has tripled worldwide since 1975, with over 650 million adults now classified as obese. Additionally, 500 million people globally are living with diabetes, and 300 million are affected by depression. There is clearly an urgent need for interventions at multiple levels.

Can wellness help in addressing this crisis? Wellness plays a key role in improving both mental and physical health outcomes. Through prevention, mental health support, education, community engagement, and sustainable living practices, wellness can make a meaningful difference.

However, this must be in the context of a broader, integrated approach to health, across government policies, global collaboration, healthcare infrastructure improvements, and addressing the social inequalities of access.

Vikasa, our wellness brand based in Thailand, is a small part of the solution. We offer holistic wellness programs focused on prevention and nurturing, and we continue to receive wonderful feedback and accolades. If you are interested in partnering with Vikasa, please feel free to reach out.

Below are a few of our recent thoughts on health and wellness posted on LinkedIn. Always good to hear your feedback. You can follow us directly on LinkedIn and go to our website.

Global Wellness Summit Releases 10 Wellness Trends for 2025

The wellness market is increasingly divided between high-tech, expensive “hardcare” and simpler, affordable “softcare” focused on emotional wellbeing. This trend is expected to widen in 2025.

“Augmented Biology” explores the fusion of technology with the human body, pushing the potential of people’s brains and bodies.

The “Analog Wellness” trend highlights a shift toward a slower, more low-tech wellness, focused on social and emotional wellbeing.

How AI Can Supercharge Health & Wellness

AI solutions to revolutionize healthcare globally. The inefficiencies and high costs of the American healthcare system highlight the potential for AI solutions to revolutionize healthcare globally. In the US, chronic diseases account for 90% of healthcare spending, with lifestyle factors contributing to half of preventable deaths. Brookings predicts AI could reduce the national budget deficit by $900 billion by 2044.

AI-driven innovations are set to reshape healthcare by promoting predictive, preventative, personalized, and participatory (P4) medicine. In 2024, over $10 billion was invested in AI technologies like virtual assistants, predictive diagnostics, and wellness tools aimed at both clinical and consumer care.

While AI adoption in healthcare is inevitable, challenges remain, including data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and the potential for exacerbating healthcare inequalities. Proper oversight and regulation will be crucial to ensuring AI improves outcomes for all patients.

Silence Is Golden

My yogi brother, Neil, always has insightful wisdom to share. Not long ago, he reminded me that many people are stuck in the cycle of “humans do-ing” instead of simply “humans be-ing.” It’s a powerful thought, especially in a world that often stigmatizes being present in solitude. After all, being alone and being lonely are two very different experiences.

Some statistics are eye-opening. Did you know that 67% of men would rather administer an electric shock to themselves than sit in 15 minutes of quiet? Meanwhile, 81% of teens report feeling overwhelming pressure to meet expectations around their appearance, social status, and success, yet they spend an average of 4.8 hours a day caught up in the noise of social media.

The truth is, research shows that intentional alone time is essential for self-reflection, emotional regulation, and the ability to tune out external influences. No wonder there’s been a growing interest in “quiet life travel,” meditation, and the art of simplification.

If you’re looking to experience this for yourself, consider joining our popular Silent Retreat at Vikasa Retreat in Samui. We’re now accepting bookings for our October 2025 retreat. For more details, check out https://vikasa.com/silent-retreat/

And if you’re seeking even more inspiration, Neil is always available to connect at chikri.com.