The year is only halfway over, but specific health and fitness topics are already emerging at the front of public consciousness. From mental health awareness to weight loss methods, here are just a few of the most significant wellness trends of 2021.

1. Mental Health Awareness

Mental health has become a hot topic in the past year. Much of the discussion is centered around pandemic-induced anxiety and depression, but other conversations are happening as well, including ones relating to work, life, family, and community.

For example, is it better for your mental health to work from home or reap more benefits by going into the office? What's the impact on your brain from "doomscrolling" through daily doses of bad news? What are the best ways to handle stress in general? As COVID-19 continues, mental health awareness remains a pertinent topic in the health and wellness community.

2. Health and Fitness Tracking

We've come a long way from the original Fitbit. Today, dozens of competing devices can do everything from counting your steps to keeping track of real-time maps and metabolic data.

These devices aren't just devoted to fitness, either. There are all kinds of straps, bands, and watches that can measure your pulse, monitor your blood sugar levels, track your REM sleep and keep an eye on your skin temperature and respiratory rate. They usually come with complementary apps to record data and report stats and percentages. Since their technology will only get more sophisticated over time, it's a good guess that wearable tech will continue to evolve and prosper in 2021.

3. At-Home Testing Kits

With the rise of telemedicine and virtual doctor's visits, a growing number of physicians are recommending that their patients test themselves for medical conditions at home. Examples include at home STD test kits and those meant to detect allergies. Many people also choose do-it-yourself kits rather than facing long waits, isolated rooms, and general COVID-19 risks at in-person clinics.

The benefits of these DIY tests are numerous. For the patient, they save time and money with a DIY test. For the doctor, they can cut down on the number of patients in their waiting room, and they can spare themselves the hassle of collecting, storing, and transporting blood or tissue samples. Expect to see the trend of at-home testing kits continue throughout 2021.

4. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is sweeping through weight loss circles, but unlike fad diets or trendy workout routines, this practice seems here to stay. It's often touted as an entire lifestyle and has many devotees on social media.

If you aren't familiar with it, intermittent fasting (IF) is a way of eating that cycles through periods of fasting and periods of eating. The most common is the 16/8 method, which requires fasting for 16 hours per day and only eating during the other eight, but there are different ways to do it. Intermittent fasting has been associated with many health benefits ranging from increased metabolism to a lower risk of cancer and diabetes, so it's definitely a practice to watch.

5. Immune Support

Last but not least, the immune system has become the superstar of the past few years, and everyone has an opinion on strengthening and supporting it. Some tout preventative measures to keep the immune system robust. Others prefer to focus on diagnosis and treatments for sick or immunocompromised people. It's doubtful that questions surrounding the immune system will go away any time soon, so this is a topic of discussion that you can expect to continue.

These are just a few trends in the health and wellness community predicted to carry on through 2021 and beyond. There are many more, but these should be enough to give you a peek into what's on the mind of people worldwide.