How to Take Back Wellness From the Wellness Industry

“In 2023, consumers gained more awareness of misinformation, misleading promises, and lack of regulation in certain markets. As writer Hasina Khatib explains, few ‘trends’ exemplify these notions quite like the rise of ayurvedic beauty—and the modern-day skewering of its ancient roots and true meaning.” -Sam Escobar

SE: “Attachment styles have been a huge topic of conversation in recent years. Equally true, though, is that we are more cognizant than ever of our imperfections—and analyzing them.”

SE: “When ‘wellness’ as a concept went mainstream a few years ago, it was often conflated with, say, bubble baths, eye masks, and spa days—lovely things, to be sure, but all are purchasable, surface-level Band-Aids that can sometimes overshadow our true needs. Wellness, in both its history and its modern significance, goes much deeper. I love this piece by writer Alisha Acquaye on the importance of repose and self-care for Black women. She writes, “I am tired of lifting my family on my shoulders, of forcing myself to forgive aches that have spread from my heart to my body and spirit. There are two problems: Black women don’t get enough rest, and we don’t get all the types of rest that we need.”

SE: “As someone who got sober 17 months ago, I always imagined travel would be far less fun without alcohol. After all, the travel industry is often chocked full of scenes of sipping carefree glasses of wine in Paris or high-end sake flights in Japan. Fortunately, as non-drinkers are on the rise, that image is changing.”

SE: “I want to give a shoutout to one of my absolute favorite newsletters: Internet Princess by Rayne Fisher-Quann. While it’s not technically a ‘wellness newsletter,’ her sharp sense of humor and beautifully written entries on everything from grief to shame to therapy never fail to make me stop and be present. And what could be more wellness-aligned than that kind of break from the typical doomscroll?”

SE: “Our financial health can have an immense impact on our mental health, as can the trap of endless ‘stuff’ accumulation. I thoroughly enjoyed Amanda Mull’s examination into why online shopping is (intentionally and detrimentally) far too easy.”

SE: “I love a candid critique of corporate initiatives! A great example of the difference between what’s peddled to us as wellness versus what actually helps people.”

SE: “For better or for worse—and in spite of the aforementioned increased consumer awareness regarding products—it is unlikely that we’ll see a drop in strange, social-hocked supplements like these. Which just underscores the importance of seeking out your own definition of what wellness means.”

SE: “A huge aspect of wellness: Identity and self-image. LGBTQ+ culture has contributed hugely to the modern forms of ‘wellness’ that we see today. Therefore, examining the rights that are at stake for this community, particularly for trans and nonbinary individuals and groups, is once again being made central to conversations on the background and meaning of wellness.”