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]