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The pressure to appear fit and healthy is causing burnout, study shows

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The pressure to appear fit and healthy is causing burnout, study shows

Just last week, the Women’s Health team and I were discussing the impact of people sharing their fitness stats on social media. From Strava run data to WHOOP strain scores, it can feel like posting your workout is almost as important as actually doing it, but for those on the other end, is this inspiring, or overwhelming?

According to lululemon’s 20204 Global Wellbeing Report, almost two thirds of people feel the latter. The survey – taken on 16,000 participants in 15 countries – showed that 61% feel overwhelming societal expectations to appear well, leaving one in two people experiencing wellbeing burnout, despite 89% of people taking more action to improve their wellbeing than they were a year ago. In the brand’s press release, they concluded that ‘the relentless pursuit of wellbeing is making people less well’.

So, what’s fuelling the cycle? The research pinpointed three key pressure points. 61% of participants put it down to unrealistic societal expectations; 53% said it was due to conflicting information on how to improve their wellbeing; 89% argued that it was down to loneliness.

But all is not lost. The brand went on to identify three simple factors that could help break the cycle.

  1. Take social media breaks: the study found that those who do this reported 9% higher wellbeing.
  2. Move your body at various opportunities throughout the day: those who perform some form of light exercise (think a short walk, or a 10-minute yoga flow) throughout the day reported 16% higher wellbeing.
  3. Use exercise to socialise: those who train with others reported 23% higher wellbeing, while those who feel more connected to their community reported 16% higher wellbeing, and those who feel a sense of belonging when they train with others reported 21% higher wellbeing.

Dr Murali Doraiswamy of Duke University, and a member of lululemon’s mental wellbeing global advisory board said: ‘Often, the pressure to improve our wellbeing causes us to overthink and fixate on what’s lacking in our lives. I recommend setting gradual, achievable goals, turning the pursuit of wellbeing into a source of joy and anticipation rather than stress.’

As for team Women’s Health’s advice, the general consensus of our aforementioned meeting was that it comes down to your intentions behind exercise. Once you’ve identified a reason to train – are you doing it to destress; do you have a particular strength goal in mind; have you joined a group class to make friends? – you’ll be mentally and physically healthier and happier. Forget everyone else’s stats.

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Lettermark

Bridie is Fitness Director at Women’s Health UK. She spends her days sweating over new workouts, fitness launches and the best home gym kit so you have all that you need to get fit done. Her work has been published in Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and more. She’s also a part-time yoga teacher with a habit of nodding off mid savasana (not when she’s teaching, promise).

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