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7. The Pursuit of Wellness Without Pressure

Relax, Breathe and Pause! Remember, wellness can mean different things for different people!

 If you have been putting off wellness activities because of the pressure to “feel well”, then you are not alone! A recent report by Lululemon suggests that nearly 50% of adults feel this pressure, which is in fact preventing them from making progress in their wellness journey. One would believe the main aim behind pursuing a wellness activity is to feel better – physically, mentally and emotionally. Ideally, these activities should reduce stress and anxiety while leaving participants feeling rejuvenated.

However, modern tracking methods and increased competitiveness in this sector have hindered this effect of wellness, making people feel pressured to feel well. The expectation that anyone participating in any fitness activity must look the part has further added to this pressure. To counter this, the concept of soft wellness has emerged. Soft wellness focuses on encouragement, consistency and collaboration over competition. It includes motivating individuals to achieve their fitness goals without time limits and deadlines, allowing them to progress at their own pace, even if they may be slower than the average person. The entire concept revolves around creating communities wherein people can feel like they belong and feel motivated to come and participate at their own convenience, emphasising that some activity is always better than none.

More importantly, it brings back the joy and fun of wellness activities. Several brands and larger companies have also supported this concept and revamped their branding and campaigns to be more inclusive in their approach. For example, Adidas has changed their tagline from “Impossible is Nothing” to “You Got This”, adopting a softer, more encouraging approach. This shift is known to encourage participation, motivate people and promote consistency. So, the next time you scroll through Instagram and see people in athleisure wear showcasing their fitness journeys while you feel demotivated—remember, you're not alone. Many people’s progress isn’t as fast as they expected, and that’s okay. The key is to keep going, embrace your own pace, and remove the pressure. Wellness is a journey, not a race.

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