Are wellness standards the new unattainable beauty standards?
They might be, according to a new report from Lululemon that suggests people are burnt out from the pressure to be well.
Monday, Lululemon released its annual global well-being report managed by Edelman Data and Intelligence, and the results are surprising. While it may come as no shock that people are burnt out, part of the reason is the uptick in the pressure to be well, according to the survey’s 16,000 respondents across 15 markets.
According to the report, 61 percent of people feel pressured to achieve well-being (physical, social and mental), while 45 percent have “well-being burnout,” which can also lead to feelings of stress, loneliness and exhaustion. The U.S. is one of the top five markets where this burnout is being felt, and Gen Zs and Millennials feel it more than other generations. The report cites three “pressure points,” including societal expectations, conflicting information and feelings of doing it all alone.
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Last year’s report showed that people were prioritizing wellness but not actually feeling any better. Similarly, people are still investing in their overall wellness but are actually feeling unwell due to the pressures to achieve an unattainable level of well-being. Additionally, per Lululemon’s past research, this latest report claims global well-being has not increased over the past four years.
The report offers three suggestions to combat this pressure: “Quiet the noise so you can hear yourself,” “do what feels good to you” and “invite others on your journey.” In terms of what this could actually look like, there are a variety of specific suggestions, like setting clear boundaries, finding community and partaking in small or quick wellness activities like 15 minute walks.
Additionally, members of Lululemon’s Mental Wellbeing Global Advisory Board shared tips.
“It’s OK to have off days — prioritizing well-being isn’t about perfection. Lean on supportive people around you and focus on one small action each day, whether it’s drinking more water or taking a five-minute walk,” said Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, founder of The Aakoma Project. “Small steps can build momentum over time.”
Dan Gillison, chief executive officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, added: “Connecting with peers is essential for maintaining mental well-being. Whether it’s through building community in the workplace, in local neighborhoods or in shared spaces, these relationships truly matter. Strong connections support mental health, and when they flourish, they help create a solid foundation for overall well-being.”
While the overall sentiment may seem negative, the report also highlighted several bright spots and opportunities to achieve well-being. For example, respondents who participate in group fitness classes or have a sense of community report better overall well-being.
Alongside releasing the report, Lululemon will host free workouts at 500-plus locations on World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, as well as commit to donating $3.1 million to several organizations, including United for Global Mental Health and NAMI. In addition, for each attendee to the workout classes on World Mental Health Day, Lululemon will donate $1 up to $100,000 to NAMI.
