Competitive Wellness

recovery feels less like a break and more like an achievement unlocked.

“⁠The antidote to the alienating spiral of self-optimisation is collective joy, like dancing badly in the dance class,” and later, “I guess, in the end, it all circles back to the same thing as always – commodification. Is there any way to escape this loop?”

Jia Tolentino’s 2019 essay in The Guardian, “Athleisure, Barre and Kale: the Tyranny of the Ideal Woman”, which resonates even more today: “Most pleasures end up being traps, and every public-facing demand escalates in perpetuity.”

Wellness isn’t an extra. It’s the edge

63% of people globally feel that the pressure to be well is impacting their wellbeing; only 23% feel that they are currently meeting society’s expectations of what it means to be well.

Success in this culture is measured not just by professional or personal achievements but by how well you adhere to an ever-expanding list of wellness trends. It always seems like there’s another benchmark to hit. Social media significantly amplifies this competition – curated snapshots create unrealistic expectations and foster comparison, leaving... See more

Mirroring traditional occupational burnout, it is rooted in personal lifestyle choices rather than professional obligations. The irony is stark: practices meant to alleviate stress – like meditation, clean eating or fitness challenges – can become stressful when pursued too hard, too often. For many, wellness has shifted from being a source of joy ... See more