Has wellness become too elitist?
Just ask the £6 matcha latte I got the other day. A quick rant about how expensive it is to be well these days.
I received an email recently with a subject line that may as well have read: “YOU NEED ALL OF THESE VITAMINS, BATH SALTS, FITNESS GEAR, AND SKINCARE TO BE WELL, JUST HAND OVER YOUR LIFE SAVINGS.” Okay, maybe not quite as on the nose, but upon reading, it dawned on me that the world of wellness is truly a luxury. You can buy face creams for £500, a padel session in London is around £80 an hour, gym membership costs are through the roof, a matcha latte a day can cost you up to £30 a week, and you can easily spend close to £100 – if not more – on just three bottles of vitamins for the month. I get emails daily from health and wellness brands telling me about the new “must-have” supplement or product I ABSOLUTELY NEED in order to be happier! Live longer! Be healthier!
Wellness is getting too expensive. It feels more like a luxury than a right. There’s an overwhelming perception that true health is for those who can afford it – as if it’s exclusively for the privileged – rather than something accessible and affordable; something that belongs to everyone. Does it mean that if you aren’t well, you’re not special enough or rich enough or something enough? And, ironically, there are lots of wellness practices that come from centuries-old traditions like yoga, meditation, herbal medicine, collagen diets; these are all things that have existed for years, and often in other cultures, are passed down freely and rooted in sharing over selling.
There are lots of brands playing on wellness anxiety. They market their products by telling you that you NEED their youth-boosting, gut-improving, skin-loving, soul-saving products, otherwise you won’t be well. There’s sometimes a sense of guilt or shame or anxiety if we don’t buy into it, which results in an endless cycle of consumption, which actually works against the calm and mindful lifestyle we’re all trying to reach.
Don’t get me wrong – wellness is a huge part of my life. After all, I created this Substack to share my thoughts and insights in living “better.” I do love a bit of supplements and other thigs but it feels like a privilege not a right. But making it accessible for everyone is something I never want to compromise on.
Which leads me to my counterpoint: I think your health is an incredible worthy investment. If you have the flexibility on your budget, it’s worth spending it on higher-quality food or the supplement that’s missing from your nutritional portfolio (doing a blood test is a great way to find out what you’re deficient in). To me, there’s no better use of money than on buying premium quality food that’s going to give your body the most nutrients possible. Or spending it on a gym class that you know you love and makes you feel good. And there are so many ways to practice wellness in a more sustainable way that won’t break the bank.
Cook a fresh, seasonal meal. Move your body with stretches or dancing. Prioritise good sleep. Spend time with people that uplift your spirit and make you laugh. Take a train out to the countryside and walk in nature.
While things like matcha oat lattes and a reformer pilates class are “nice-to-do’s”, there are more simple forms of wellness that you can start with if you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything that’s being thrown in your face (or entering your inbox)…
Take a breath
Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Need to just take a minute to ground yourself? Something as simple as closing your eyes and taking three deep breaths can counteract those feelings and improve your respiratory health, even if just for a moment. You can download apps like Calm or Headspace if you want something more intentional, but you can feel better just by doing the most basic human thing: breathing.
Get outside
I love taking a walk outside to reset my nervous system and mental state. Just ten minutes of feeling the sunshine on your face, the breeze (or rain!) on your skin, inhaling fresh air, and seeing what’s around you makes all the difference. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in a gorgeous meadow or park (although if that’s easily accessible for you, even better). The air outdoors is always better than indoors.
Eat mindfully
To me, mindful eating isn’t just about cooking with fresh ingredients. It’s also about cooking with intention and love – whether that’s just for yourself, or also others, and actually enjoying your meal in the present. Turn off your screens, talk to the person next to you, and appreciate what you’re putting in your body. It’ll do wonders for your digestion, and also make the food even tastier.
Prioritise R&R
I’ve done a whole piece on sleep here – and I rave about how important it is to get your full eight hours of wink in order to feel better, function better, look better – everything better! It’s easy to dismiss how much rest your mind and body actually needs, but making sure you have undisturbed, good quality, and at least eight hours of sleep will positively impact your day-to-day.
I’d love to know your thoughts – do you think wellness is too expensive? Or do you think we’re just blindly following trends and fads that make the rounds on socials? And what are your little wellness habits that make you feel good? It’s a topic I’m always open to discussing as it’s a passion of mine. I am of course aware that I am one of the privileged who’s able to enjoy the finer things in the wellness world, but I think there’s space for brands to be more mindful as I’m an advocate for it being accessible to everyone.
Love,
Bettina x