We’re more obsessed with our wellbeing than ever before. A global survey of over 16,000 individuals from 15 countries has revealed 89 percent of people are dedicating more attention to nurturing their wellbeing than they were a year ago.
Good news, right? Surely more time focusing on wellness will lead to a boost in physical and mental health across the board.
Unfortunately not. It seems fixating on wellness might actually be making us less well.
A whopping 60 percent of survey participants said they were consumed with societal pressures to appear well. And the younger they were, the more likely they felt the load – 76 percent of Gen Z and 71 percent of Millennials were worried about wellness expectations. Almost half reported feeling ‘wellbeing burnout’, which means they’d reached a state of physical, mental, or social exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. When wellbeing burnout kicks in, people start feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to keep up. It can go hand-in-hand with a sense of reduced accomplishment and purpose. Interestingly, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia have been picked as the peak wellbeing burnout zones.
“Feelings of wellbeing have not increased in four years.”
Adding to the alarm is the fact that, despite the increased focus on wellbeing, it isn’t actually making much difference. Overall feelings of wellbeing have not increased in four years (according to global wellbeing scores). This highlights how the more pressure there is to feel well, the harder it is to be well.
“The more pressure there is to feel well, the harder it is to be well.”
And to top it off, people are confused. In recent years we’ve been inundated with an influx of wellbeing quick fixes and innovations – everything from biohacking and ice plunges to sound bathing, earthing and psychedelic-assisted therapy. As a result, we’re feeling more overwhelmed than ever, with conflicting information about the best ways to improve our mental, emotional and physical wellness.
So what’s best? Perhaps it’s time to stop chasing the latest wellbeing trends and instead choose the tried and true methods for improved holistic health.
3 SIMPLE WELL-ESTABLISHED WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WELLBEING
Move your body
Physical activity is a powerful way to dial up your mental wellbeing. When you move your body, it releases chemicals in your brain which boost your mental health and emotional wellbeing, contributing to lower rates of mental illness. Any type of exercise can improve your life, but activities like yoga and Pilates can be particularly valuable. Yoga is a well-regarded way to improve sleep, boost positive feelings, and enhance recovery from mental, as well as physical stress. Pilates is also a calming and restorative activity.
"During Pilates, you're focusing on the movement and the breath, so you have to let go of everything else. It's time away from your daily stresses and that's what leaves you feeling calm," says Dr. Gillian Hatfield, who explains the benefits of movement with controlled breathwork.
Move with others
While any exercise is good for you, group training is a particularly potent wellbeing elixir. People feel a sense of belonging when they work out with other people and report 21 percent higher wellbeing. When Dr. Dayna Yorks from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine conducted a 12-week study involving regular LES MILLS CORE™ group workouts, she found those who worked out with others scored significantly higher in terms of stress reduction and physical, mental, and emotional quality of life compared to those people who worked out alone. Find out more about the power of group workouts.
Rest well
Sleep is the only time when we put our bodies in full psychological, physiological and physical recovery mode. Sleep scientist, Dr. Meeta Singh explains that sleep stimulates the recovery we need at a cellular level. “During sleep, the brain gets cleansed of waste material – akin to being power washed. Similarly, while the body is at rest, restorative functions and energy storage take place." A consistent sleep habit – where you go to bed at the same time and allow yourself to wake naturally – will lead to between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. A healthy sleep pattern like this is vital for good brain health and lower risk factors for diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Learn more about the importance of sleep and wellbeing.
Other things to enjoy:
- Mindfulness and breathwork: Explore breathwork, meditation and mindfulness practices to increase energy and vitality, improve focus, and boost your emotional strength. SEE THE OPTIONS
- Calming movement: Add small doses of calming movement to your daily routine. Follow the Calming Calendar for daily recommendations.
- Wellness coaching: Spend time working through an online program with holistic coach Kylie Gates taking you on a guided journey for personal growth and life transformation. FIND OUT MORE
