It’s a brand new year. After the shocker that was 2020, and the world trying to attain a semblance of normalcy in 2021, what does 2022 hold in store for us?
Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you will find some words that describe how most people may be feeling about the New Year – from 'anxious' to 'positive'.
A new Global Advisor survey of 22,000 adults in 33 countries, by the France-based multinational market research and consulting firm Ipsos, tried to gauge people’s concerns and predictions for the year ahead. The survey found that over 75 per cent of people think 2022 will be a better year than 2021.
Despite the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, people expressed optimism that vaccine roll-outs around the world would help the situation improve. The two areas of concerns people had, however, were related to rising prices and the state of the environment.
Here is a breakdown of wellbeing trends from Google Search, which indicate what people are looking to improve in the coming year:
1. Gut health
The UK-based international health insurance group BUPA revealed that Google searches for ‘gut health’ were up by 83 per cent. People are looking for healthier choices when eating, and improving their digestion for a stress-free, healthier 2022.
2. Environmental welfare
A survey across 10 countries, led by UK’s Bath University and the research group Avaaz, asked 10,000 people aged between 16 and 25 about their feelings towards the state of the environment. Nearly 60 per cent of young people said they were ‘very worried’ and over half (56 per cent) went as far as to say they thought humanity was doomed. There has been a 418 per cent surge in Google searches for ‘climate anxiety’, whereas ‘eco anxiety’ surged by 238 per cent. Environmental doom is a feeling that’s pervading people’s thoughts around the world, and it’s likely going to get people to take proactive action to protect the Earth in the coming year.
3. Immunity
It’s probably no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic had people researching how they could better improve their immune system. Google searches on ‘boosting immune system’ saw an 80 per cent increase. Altering eating habits and fitness routines to optimise immunity could be a resulting trend in the upcoming year.
What are your goals for 2022? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
