There’s no question that health and wellness has become a priority for people as they seek out ways to live fuller lives. But are they truly adopting wellness as a lifestyle, or just another fad? Insights from the Eventbrite platform, which powers millions of events a year, argue in favor of the former. From extended yoga retreats to essential oil conventions, Eventbrite saw a 44% growth in health and wellness events between 2017 and 2018, with no signs of it slowing anytime soon.

To further explore the why and how behind the uptick, we commissioned a survey of 2,020 U.S. adults this spring (conducted online by The Harris Poll* on behalf of Eventbrite) and zoomed into health and wellness events and workshops that go beyond your daily vinyasa class. What we found is that while more than a third (36%) of Americans have attended a health and wellness workshop or event in the past 12 months, Generation Z is leading the way when it comes to practicing wellness.

The Why: Self-Care

Unlike their predecessors, Generation Z (18 to 22-year olds), are thankfully not “killing” a long list of previously-loved industries or rituals like real estate, napkins, or beer, but they seem to be leading the way in pursuing a health-focused lifestyle. In fact, Gen Z are more likely to have attended a health and wellness workshop in the last twelve months than Gen X (39 to 54 year olds) or Boomers (55 to 73 year olds) (54% vs. 38% and 19%, respectively). Millennials’ (22 to 38 year old) top reason for attending health and wellness events is “to de-stress” (42%). While practicing self-care and de-stressing can look very similar, the mindset behind the former is more proactive compared to the latter, suggesting that perhaps Millennials are still struggling to prioritize their wellbeing through preventative measures.

The How: Beyond the Physical

The new generation of adults seems to be finding their Zen through various facets of health that take into account physical, mental, and even practical health. When asked about the types of wellness events or workshops they’ve attended in the past 12 months, Gen Z’s top events were healthy eating , natural/organic-based nutrition (31%), meditation or mindfulness (23%), decluttering or tidying (18%), and breathing or breathwork (16%). Millennials’ top types of events looked similar, however, the most popular type of event came out to be yoga, with nearly one fifth (22%) of millennials saying they’ve attended a yoga event or workshop in the last twelve months. Whether or not yoga as a practice may be on the decline, it’s clear that the younger generation is interested in the habits that make up a whole and healthy body. And we see this trend continuing: Nearly two thirds of Gen Z (64%) say they plan to attend live events related to health and wellness in the next twelve months.

The Extra: Digital Wellness

Gen Z has also shown more initiative for digital wellness, which involves building and maintaining healthy habits with mobile devices. As the age groups to have Internet technology readily available at a young age, Gen Z and Millennials are arguably the most connected generations. However, over two in five (44% of Gen Z and 45% of Millennials) in both groups admit that they feel lonelier when they spend a lot of time on their mobile device than when they stay off it. To fight the effects of spending hours on devices, taking time for a digital detox, or taking extended breaks away from technology, is known to show positive results, such as improved posture, better sleep, and more meaningful relationships.

While nearly half (49%) of American adults said they would benefit from a “digital detox,” only about 1 in 10 (13%) have actually done one. Gen Z may have a better handle on digital wellness — more than a quarter (28%) of Gen Z have done a digital detox previously, surpassing the 19% of millennials,10% of Gen X and 7% of Boomers who have done so. Growing up with technology may have taught Gen Z to practice control and be more mindful of their devices.

Regardless of your generation, it’s never too late to start building your health and wellness habits, so get your Gen Z hat on, and check out a health and wellness event near you. Workshops and classes not only arm you with knowledge and practical tips on wellness topics, but it also connects you with people who can encourage you along the way.

*Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Eventbrite from March 28- April 1, 2019 among 2,020 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact press@eventbrite.com.