Photo by ?ULE MAKARO?LU on Unsplash
The global wellness industry is worth $6.32 trillion. That’s trillion with a T. Many of the products and services available within the industry promise better physical, mental, and emotional health. As many people are interested in improving their lifestyles, the increase in yoga classes, meditation apps, supplements, retreats, etc. is astounding. That said, there is a toxic side to the wellness industry that you may not have considered. Let’s take a look at some of the “darker” aspects of the industry.
1. Unrealistic Body Standards and the Pressure to Be “Perfect”
Unrealistic body standards aren’t anything new. Many people growing up in the 2000s saw a lot of publications and brands promoting “perfect” bodies. Many wellness advocates today seem to have the “ideal” body, and it creates pressure among their followers to look a certain way. If they don’t look like that, then they’re not “healthy” or “fit.” While it’s not direct, it is still a form of body shaming, which makes their followers feel bad about themselves. In extreme cases, they might even resort to eating disorders to get the results they’re looking for. The problem is compounded by the sale of products that promise rapid weight loss, body toning, or skin perfection, further perpetuating an unattainable image of health.
2. Exploitation of Vulnerability and Financial Pressure
The wellness industry capitalizes on people’s desire to improve their health, often exploiting vulnerabilities for financial gain. Whether through expensive detox programs, overpriced supplements, or luxurious retreats, the industry preys on consumers’ insecurities by offering quick fixes for complex problems. Many products are marketed with claims that sound too good to be true, such as promises of permanent weight loss or mental clarity. Unfortunately, these often come at a hefty price, leaving many consumers feeling disillusioned or worse, financially burdened.
3. Unregulated Products and Harmful Ingredients
A significant concern within the wellness industry is the lack of regulation surrounding supplements and wellness products. Many health supplements, beauty products, and alternative treatments are not thoroughly tested for safety or efficacy before hitting the market. While these products often make bold claims about boosting energy, detoxifying the body, or improving skin health, they can sometimes do more harm than good. Ingredients that are touted as “natural” or “organic” may still cause adverse reactions or interact negatively with prescribed medications.
4. Mental Health Stigma and the “Self-Care” Paradox
While mental health awareness has grown significantly in recent years, the wellness industry has simultaneously contributed to a problematic narrative that “self-care” is always the answer. The concept of self-care, when done right, can be incredibly valuable. However, it has been commodified and turned into a consumer-driven mantra that often equates to expensive spa treatments, skincare routines, or retail therapy. This creates a dangerous cycle where individuals feel as though they need to buy products or services to achieve mental well-being, which can lead to feelings of guilt or inadequacy if these things don’t work as expected.
5. Cultural Appropriation in Wellness Practices
Another toxic aspect of the wellness industry is the cultural appropriation of spiritual practices. Yoga, meditation, and other wellness practices with deep roots in Indigenous, Eastern, and non-Western cultures have been commercialized and sometimes stripped of their cultural significance. The commodification of these practices, often disconnected from their original context, can lead to misrepresentation and trivialization of the very traditions they come from. Western wellness influencers and brands frequently profit from these practices, while ignoring the cultural histories, spiritual beliefs, and struggles of the people who created them.
6. The Pressure to Be “Always On” and “Never Enough”
In an age where wellness is often equated with constant self-improvement, there is an underlying pressure to be “always on.” The wellness industry tends to promote the idea that to be healthy, you must constantly strive for personal perfection, whether through exercise, mindfulness, or diet. This creates an unhealthy cycle where individuals feel that they are never enough unless they are constantly optimizing their bodies, minds, and lives. This relentless pursuit of perfection can lead to burnout, anxiety, and stress—ironically counterproductive to the original goals of wellness.
7. Greenwashing and Misleading Environmental Claims
As the wellness industry continues to grow, so does the demand for sustainable, eco-friendly products. However, many wellness brands are guilty of “greenwashing”—a marketing strategy where companies make misleading claims about the environmental benefits of their products or services without backing them up with true, sustainable practices. From skincare brands that claim to be “eco-friendly” but use plastic packaging to health supplements that boast “natural” ingredients while sourcing them from environmentally harmful practices, the greenwashing phenomenon can mislead consumers who want to make ethical choices.
8. Diet Culture and the Promotion of Restrictive Eating Habits
Diet culture is a pervasive and toxic influence within the wellness industry, often equating “wellness” with weight loss or restrictive eating. From “cleanses” and juice fasts to trending diets that promise quick fixes, the wellness world frequently emphasizes the idea that health is synonymous with a certain body type. This focus on weight loss often disregards the importance of nourishing the body with a balanced, diverse diet that works for individual needs. Moreover, the promotion of fad diets can lead to unhealthy relationships with food, disordered eating habits, and a focus on external appearance rather than overall well-being.
The Need for a Healthier, More Transparent Wellness Industry
There are plenty of valuable tools in the wellness industry. In some ways, it is improving the lives of many people. However, you can’t acknowledge the good it is doing without also seeing the toxic parts of the industry as a whole. These apps and other tools often push unrealistic body standards and even promote harmful products (or products that do next to nothing). At the end of the day, it’s up to us to advocate for more transparency and inclusivity. This would create a space where truly anyone is welcome and potentially even create a healthier population.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.
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