Health is Wealth – the Price we Pay for Health and Wellness

by Abigail Williams

From a young age, I’ve had an interest in self-improvement culture. Whether it is wanting to improve my physical fitness, or going on short-lived ‘journeys of personal growth and development’, the desire to be the best version of myself has been a big part of my personality. However, the recent emergence of the ‘That Girl’ trend has led me to wonder how positive these physical and mental wellness movements really are.

On the surface, there is nothing wrong with wanting to ‘be better’. Getting physically fit, or improving your mental health are admirable aims. The adoption of healthy lifestyle habits not only has positive benefits on your body, but – as extensive research has proven – also positively impacts your brain. So what could be the problem?

In recent years, health and wellness culture has drifted from the fringes of society into mainstream culture, with social media being one of the main avenues through which these wellness ideas have spread. Already a powerful tool for influencing the masses, it is even more powerful in dictating what kinds of activities, lifestyles or ‘aesthetics’ are considered trendy. Particularly amongst younger female audiences, the connection between social media and the rise of wellness culture is a concerning one. This phenomenon is exemplified by the ‘That Girl’ trend, which has recently been circulating the internet. 

In essence, ‘That Girl’ is a representative of modern day wellness culture. ‘That Girl’ is everything that your inner perfectionist has ever wanted to be: they wake up at 5am, they eat healthily, they work out regularly, they engage in activities to support their mental health effortlessly. The trend seems to have its roots in female empowerment, making it quite gendered. Yet, despite this, the messages of self-improvement that it promotes span across gender lines. As this trend has become more and more popular, more and more people have been trying to replicate it in their daily lives. Now, it feels almost impossible to use social media without seeing tiktoks and reels showcasing ‘That Girl’ morning routines, or vlogs entitled ‘A Day in the Life: That Girl edition’. But is this to our detriment?

Portraying health and wellness as a trend leaves it open to commodification. In order to embody the ‘That Girl’ aesthetic, it seems imperative to constantly have a fridge full of organic groceries, a membership to a gym with all the right equipment, and the ability to wake up early enough to do yoga. Herein lie the hidden costs of health and wellness culture: whilst these trends help boost the desirability of a healthy lifestyle, the costs attached make this same lifestyle feel exclusionary. It seems that if you cannot afford to buy those groceries, or make gym payments, you also cannot afford to engage in this version of wellness. For those who can replicate the image, we must question whether the condensing of wellness to a superficial trend actually makes this lifestyle unsustainable or even unfulfilling. Having a calendar optimised for wellness and productivity might produce results, but may also rob you of unexpected moments that could contribute to your wellness in ways a workout never could. For those whose personal circumstances make the trend unattainable, we may see them experience feelings of inadequacy. Burdened by the belief that they could never be ‘That Girl’, they may have no incentive to aim for better physical or mental health which could ultimately be self-destructive. 

The problem extends beyond the realm of physical health though; the perpetuation of ‘health and wellness’ culture has also inadvertently promoted an exclusive mental health consciousness. Mental wellbeing activities also seem to come at a cost, attainable for the few and doused in elitism – in both a cultural and economic sense. One pertinent example of this is in activities like yoga: although its physical and mental health benefits are undeniable, we must think of the wider impacts of its absorption into the world of wellness. A practice once steeped in spirituality risks being appropriated by people who do not always have a deep understanding of history, thus forsaking the foundations of the practice.  This is not an immediate problem for people partaking in wellness culture. However, in neglecting the cultural significance of yoga (and other spiritual activities absorbed into the wellness industrial complex), it does contribute to the whitewashing and marginalisation of the non-Western cultures and histories. 

The same potential for economic exclusion that we saw in the ‘That Girl’ trend also appears in the realm of mental wellbeing, particularly with regards to therapy. An article by Aleksandra Krajewska, a licensed therapist, echoes this sentiment, arguing that “money played a much bigger role in therapy sessions that I was comfortable to bear”. Not only is it a privilege to be able to afford therapy, it’s also a privilege to have the time to attend those sessions. As Krajewska notes – many therapists are inclined to choose clients whose “problems do not affect their finances and have the privilege to regularly take time off”.  Additionally, the manifestation of this wellness consciousness within the confines of a capitalist society means that happiness and mental stability are available – but only at a price. From self-care packages and wellness retreats, to lifestyle and diet changes, the message becomes increasingly clear. If peace lies at the end of your purchase, what does that mean for people who simply do not have the means?

So the question remains – have we taken this health consciousness too far? The intention of this article is not to condemn the promotion of mental health and wellbeing; ultimately, all of us are in a position to benefit from something like therapy and all of us have something to gain from taking our physical and mental health more seriously. Yet, equally, it is vital to remember that good physical and mental health does not need to be purchased, or led by a trend. As students, there are a plethora of services, both at LSE and beyond, that provide mental health help without breaking the bank. Beyond that, even acts as pure as going for walks with a friend, dancing in your room, or writing down your thoughts and feelings on paper, can provide mental reprieve and as well as physical health benefits. In a society that pushes products and services to attempt to fix our problems, let us not forget the healing benefits that come from simple (and affordable) acts of self-care.

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