WellnessTech in the Asia-Pacific

In this era of rapid technological change, the digital landscape we are living in is transforming our well‑being. Technological shifts, including the evolution of the internet, have reshaped how we communicate verbally and visually throughout history. Over the past 30 years, the internet's growth has intensified its visual and immersive nature and how people are increasingly emotionally connected through technology. Amidst all these changes and as revealed by Getty Images' VisualGPS consumer survey in the Asia‑Pacific region (APAC), one thing stays the same: a resolute focus on mental and physical well‑being. Technology is now a dual agent, nurturing both aspects of wellness, physical and mental. In this article, we explore how technology molds emotional resilience, social bonds, and psychological balance—overall, embracing holistic well‑being—and how brands can use visuals to portray this impact.

WellnessTech in action
The wellness market is thriving as consumers invest more in health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.¹ In APAC, our VisualGPS consumer survey reveals widespread enthusiasm for how technology enhances wellness across demographics. This presents an opportunity to showcase diverse wellness practices enabled by technology.

Visuals that seamlessly integrate technology into daily life for better well‑being will resonate well. For instance, as seen in the visual gallery below, depicting realistic alerts for blood sugar checks, personalized dietary insights, and people using wearables and apps for meditation emphasizes technology's role in elevating wellness. Additionally, emphasizing technology's support for mental wellness, often underestimated in Asian cultures,² shows empathy for customers valuing mental health alongside physical health. Including imagery of people using assistive technology further amplifies the positive impact, increasing excitement.

Embracing immersive technologies for enhanced well‑being 
The convergence of wellness, technology, and visual trends has birthed immersive art and experiences using AR and VR.³ Gaming and the metaverse draw significant interest both in Asia‑Pacific as well as globally, as confirmed by our consumer survey. These technologies offer captivating escapes from reality and foster creativity, fun, and wellness. The desire for immersive encounters blurs virtual and physical realms, exemplified by Tokyo's teamLab museum outperforming traditional art institutions in incoming visitors.⁴

Visuals can vividly depict smooth transitions between virtual and real activities. For instance, as seen in the visual gallery below, visuals of dynamic AR fitness classes and vibrant virtual social gatherings effectively promote well‑being, connectivity, and self‑expression, showcasing technology's transformative potential.

In a rapidly changing world, brands and businesses have the opportunity to utilize visuals to demonstrate how technology enhances individuals' health and wellness. Visual content that conveys empathy, compassion, and inclusivity can establish deeper connections and make a positive impact in the evolving landscape of health and wellness.

[1] Feeling good: The future of the $1.5 trillion wellness market (Mckinsey)
[2] People in APAC Facing Immense Mental Health Struggles Due to Covid‑19 Pandemic and Stigma (The Drum)
[3] Inside the Effort to Expand Virtual Reality Treatments for Mental Health (Smithsonian Magazine)
[4] teamLab’s Tokyo Museum Has Become the World’s Most Popular Single‑Artist Destination, Surpassing the Van Gogh Museum (artnet)