Lululemon’s Global Wellbeing Report reveals that the pressure to be well could be causing wellbeing burnout, so how can we break the cycle?

Canadian athletic apparel brand Lululemon shared its fourth Global Wellbeing Report in the latter half of this year. Titled “The Pressure to Be Well,” the report provides a snapshot of worldwide wellbeing statistics, which reveals that the continuous pressure to improve our wellbeing could be causing us to feel less well. 

Lululemon commissioned the survey by Edelman Data and Intelligence (DXI). It surveyed 16,000 people across 15 markets in the spring of 2024. According to the report, 89% of people are taking more action than a year ago to improve their wellbeing, but 45% are experiencing wellbeing burnout. 

Defining ‘wellbeing’ as the balance of physical, emotional and social health, the findings suggest that there are three key pressure points that are causing us to feel stuck. These are:

  • Unrealistic societal expectations - 61% experience overwhelming expectations to appear well. 
  • Conflicting information - 53% of respondents said there was conflicting information about the best ways to improve wellbeing. 
  • Loneliness - 89% of people said they felt as if they were going at it alone. 

Whilst the importance of wellbeing is stronger than ever, so too is the pressure to keep up. The rise in wellbeing burnout is causing many of us (particularly the younger generations) to feel stuck - 63% say they feel powerless to improve their wellbeing when burnt out.

Fortunately, the report outlines ways to break the cycle:

  • Take social media breaks. Wellbeing increases by 9% when people ground themselves in reality. 
  • Setting boundaries in work and personal life can see a 13% rise in wellness. 
  • Practice self-love and acceptance to see a 16% increase in wellbeing. 
  • A mindfulness and meditation practice can increase wellbeing by 16%. 
  • Do what feels good for you. This might mean opting for lower-intensity exercise or moving your body a little at a time throughout the day. 57% feel they only need to stretch for 30 minutes or less a day to experience positive effects. 
  • Use physical activity as an opportunity to socialise with others. This is thought to improve wellness by 23%. 
  • Embrace slow living and take things at your own pace to improve wellbeing by 15%. 
  • Invite others to join you on your journey. Feeling a sense of connectedness to your community can increase your sense of purpose by 28%.
  • Move with others. Participating in team sports can improve wellbeing by 14%.
  • Show up for yourself and your loved ones. Wellbeing can increase by 18% when you’re there for your loved ones, and by 8% when you regularly check in with a health care professional. 

Above all, the findings from the Lululemon Wellbeing Report note that if you’re experiencing wellbeing burnout, it’s important to remember that moving forward doesn’t have to mean tackling everything all at once. Physical, mental and social wellbeing are all interconnected, so by focusing on one aspect of your life, you’re likely to see the benefits elsewhere. 

If you’re struggling with wellbeing burnout and feel you’d benefit from some professional support, you can find a private therapist dealing with burnout on Counselling Directory.