Core Insights - The term "healing" has gained significant traction in recent years, with over 830 million people in China identified as being in a state of psychological sub-health, indicating a vast potential consumer base for the "healing economy" [1][7] - The healing economy is not an independent sector but rather a value increment that integrates with various industries, reshaping the core value of products and services [2][3] Group 1: Healing Economy Characteristics - The healing economy is transforming traditional industries by shifting from practical product sales to creating "healing spaces" in home decor, offering "spiritual healing journeys" in tourism, and integrating emotional wellness into dining and beauty services [3][4] - Consumers are willing to pay a premium for healing services, as they seek emotional value and psychological comfort rather than just functional benefits [4][12] Group 2: Social and Psychological Factors - The rise of the healing economy is attributed to a combination of social structure, economic environment, and individual psychological factors, with widespread feelings of "involution" and "anxiety" prevalent across society [5][7] - The emotional economy is emerging as a new economic model focused on meeting consumers' emotional needs, shifting the focus from traditional functional value to emotional value [8][9] Group 3: Consumer Demographics - The demand for healing services is concentrated in economically developed regions, with a significant user base in cities like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong [9] - The primary consumers of the healing economy are individuals aged 21 to 40, who represent over 75% of the user base, facing multiple life pressures while possessing disposable income and awareness of mental health [9][10] - Female consumers dominate the healing economy, accounting for over 75% of attendees at healing expos, reflecting their greater emotional expressiveness and unique pressures in balancing work and family [10] Group 4: Economic Implications - The healing economy presents a multi-trillion market potential, but questions remain about whether consumers are genuinely achieving healing or merely experiencing temporary relief from stress [12][13] - While the healing economy offers a "pause" from daily pressures, it does not address the underlying systemic issues causing anxiety and stress, leading to concerns about the commodification of emotional relief [13][18] - The lack of industry standards and effective regulation raises risks of blurring lines between legitimate healing practices and pseudoscience, potentially exploiting vulnerable consumers [13][19]

Core Viewpoint - The demand for mental health services is rapidly increasing due to the fast-paced social development and lifestyle changes, leading to a surge in various healing products and services, which are often viewed as "emotional remedies" [1][2] Group 1: Market Demand and Growth - The healing industry is experiencing explosive growth as more consumers prioritize mental health and are willing to spend on emotional well-being, with a reported adult depression risk detection rate of 10.6% and anxiety risk detection rate of 15.8% in China [2] - The lack of sufficient professional psychological counseling resources, combined with a significant portion of the population being in a state of psychological sub-health, has stimulated the healing industry, making it a lucrative market for capital investment [2][3] Group 2: Industry Challenges and Issues - The healing industry is facing a "trust crisis" due to blurred service boundaries, pseudoscience, false advertising, and price fraud, leading to a situation where "bad money drives out good" [4] - Many institutions exploit public ignorance about mental health, using pseudoscientific claims to attract customers and charge exorbitant fees, as evidenced by cases of individuals being misled into expensive and ineffective treatments [4][5] - The industry is also plagued by a lack of regulatory standards and qualifications, resulting in a proliferation of unqualified practitioners and rapid training programs that do not ensure competency [6] Group 3: Regulatory and Self-Regulation Needs - There is an urgent need for enhanced industry self-regulation to protect consumers from financial and psychological harm, as many consumers face difficulties in asserting their rights due to the hidden nature of some illegal activities [7] - The government has begun to crack down on illegal training activities disguised as "spiritual healing," which has led to the closure of several organizations operating under false pretenses [7] - Experts suggest that the healing economy, while promising, requires clearer definitions, standardized practices, and professional certifications to ensure quality service and consumer satisfaction [8]

Core Insights - The healing economy is emerging as people increasingly focus on their emotional needs and pursue mental and physical well-being [1][2] - There is a lack of market access and industry regulatory standards, leading to high-cost healing projects with questionable effectiveness, necessitating regulation [1][2] Group 1: Market Trends - A diverse range of healing products and services has been introduced, from essential oils to meditation apps, catering to various emotional needs [1] - Topics related to sound healing have garnered over 3.5 billion views on a platform, while topics like spiritual healing and hypnosis have also exceeded 100 million views [1] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Consumers are attracted not only to the products and services but also to the emotional value behind them [1] - Fragmented offerings, such as "spiritual SPA packages" and "7-day stress relief courses," simplify consumer psychological needs but lack depth in healing effects [1] Group 3: Industry Challenges - Over-commercialization and superficial healing offerings have led to a devaluation of emotional comfort, with consumers equating healing to mere consumption [1][2] - Some businesses exploit the healing concept to sell overpriced products, creating anxiety rather than alleviating it, due to the lack of quantifiable emotional value and quality standards [2] Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Consumers need to enhance their understanding of the essence of healing, shifting from expectations of quick fixes to a more patient approach to personal growth [2] - There is a call for policy-level regulation to establish qualification certification mechanisms, industry access standards, and strengthen market oversight to ensure product and service quality [2] - The establishment of a domestic professional association and a transparent industry credit evaluation system is suggested to help consumers improve their discernment [2]