In this day and age of social media, nothing is a secret. From your Rocky Mountain vacation to your newborn’s name to the number of miles you’ve driven, everyone knows it. While sharing your life, including your fitness goals, can be a great way to connect and inspire those around you, it can also lead to some serious comparisons.
In fact, according to lululemon’s 2024 Global Wellbeing Report, nearly two-thirds of respondents feel pressure from others and society to support their wellbeing in certain ways. This pressure is leading to nearly half of respondents experiencing “wellbeing burnout.”
It’s a counterproductive cycle in which relentlessly trying to improve our well-being actually makes us feel less good. Think about it this way: Running two miles every morning to start your day is a net positive. It’s almost guaranteed to improve your cardiovascular health and mood. But if you see your friend consistently running 10 miles before work in the morning, you might start to question your own success.
Related: Take Your Leave: Taking Vacations May Slow Aging, Study Shows
The survey of 16,000 participants across 15 countries found that, despite 89% of people taking more action to improve their well-being compared to the previous year, the way our society views and talks about health may be doing more harm than good. You’re probably thinking, “How can sharing your health journey be bad?”
The research points to three key pressure points that keep us in this perpetual cycle of well-being: 89 percent of people feel alone in their health journey, 53 percent say there’s too much conflicting information about how to improve their health, and 61 percent feel overwhelming societal expectations about looking healthy.
“Often the pressure to improve our well-being leads us to overthink and focus on what’s missing in our lives,” said Dr. Murali Doraiswamy, professor at Duke University and member of the lululemon Mental Wellbeing Global Advisory Board. “I recommend gradually setting achievable goals, turning the pursuit of well-being into a source of joy and anticipation rather than stress.”
If you're feeling the effects of wellness burnout, the brand has a few steps it recommends to break the cycle.
Related: Study Finds How Many Cups of Coffee You Drink a Day Can Benefit Your Heart
1. Don't Do It Alone
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing we love more than hitting the gym, putting on some sports headphones, and destroying the world for a while. However, those who use physical activity as an opportunity to socialize with others report a 23% higher sense of well-being. So if you want to make the most of your wellness journey, consider joining a running club or getting a gym membership.
2. There is no one-size-fits-all approach
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health. While running a marathon may be possible for some guys, not everyone is meant to be an Olympian. Even just moving your body at different times throughout the day (a quick run in the morning and walking your dog after work) can lead to a 16% increase in well-being.
3. Take a Break from Social Media
What’s the first step to ending the cycle of comparing yourself to others’ health journeys? Take a break from social media and focus on yourself. According to the report, those who take a break from social media report a 9 percent increase in overall well-being.
If you’re taking steps to improve your health, congratulate yourself on how far you’ve come. The next time you start comparing your health and wellness journey to others, take a step back, reconnect with your community, and remember why you started in the first place.