Do you really know? What is wellness syndrome?
Apr 10, 2025
Explore the phenomenon of 'wellness syndrome' and how societal pressures have redefined self-care into a moral obligation. Discover the implications of this trend on individual health and access to wellness practices. The conversation critiques the psychological toll of unrealistic expectations and the commodification of well-being. Is prioritizing wellness truly beneficial, or is it just another pressure we face?
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Wellness Syndrome Definition
- "Wellness syndrome" describes the societal pressure to prioritize well-being.
- This demand for constant happiness and health has become increasingly normalized.
Origins of Wellness Syndrome
- Carl Cederström and André Spicer's book The Wellness Syndrome (2015) explores the moral obligation to be well.
- Spicer argues that modern Western societies constantly remind us that being good means pursuing pleasure and optimizing wellness.
Wellness as an Ideology
- "Wellness" suggests that healthy individuals are virtuous, while unhealthy ones are flawed.
- This ideology, similar to self-help, fuels a lucrative wellness market projected to reach $4 trillion in 2023.