Confronting Wellbeing Washing
The Impact on Our Lives and How Organizations Can Do Better
I have to admit, I've been feeling a little disheartened lately. Scrolling through my social media feeds, I can't help but notice the endless parade of perfectly curated images and posts promoting "wellness" and "self-care." Each time I see another article about "work-life balance" or "mental health days," I can't help but feel a gnawing sense of unease. It seems like everywhere I turn, the concept of wellbeing is being commodified and diluted into a shallow, one-size-fits-all approach. It's what some have dubbed "wellbeing washing," and it's been permeating both the workplace and our online world.
Source: Unmind
Wellbeing washing, in essence, is superficially promoting mental health and wellness without genuinely addressing the root causes of stress, anxiety, and burnout. In the workplace, this might manifest as companies offering token perks like free yoga classes or mindfulness workshops while still expecting their employees to work unreasonable hours or endure toxic work environments. On social media, often it presents as beautifully staged images of people practising self-care, accompanied by generic advice that can feel disingenuous and disconnected from the reality of many people's lives.
The problem with wellbeing washing is that it not only trivializes people's real struggles but can also exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and failure. When we're constantly bombarded with images of "perfect" wellbeing, it's easy to feel like we're falling short. We might wonder why we cannot find the same level of peace and balance that others seem to have achieved. This comparison can leave us feeling even more anxious, stressed, and isolated.
So how can organizations and individuals take a stand against wellbeing washing? Here are a few suggestions:
Embrace authenticity: Instead of promoting unrealistic, picture-perfect wellness ideals, let's focus on sharing genuine, relatable stories and experiences. This means acknowledging that life isn't always perfect, and that's okay. We can foster a more empathetic and inclusive environment by embracing our vulnerabilities and imperfections.
Address systemic issues: Companies should look hard at their organizational culture and practices to identify and address the root causes of stress and burnout. This might involve reevaluating workload expectations, improving communication, and fostering a more supportive and flexible work environment.
Prioritize mental health: Employers should invest in comprehensive mental health programs and resources beyond token gestures. This could include offering access to therapy, mental health days, stress-management training, and creating a culture that encourages open conversations about mental health.
Encourage personalization: Recognize that wellbeing is a deeply personal and individual journey. What works for one person might not work for another. Encourage employees and followers to explore their own paths to wellness, and support them in finding the practices and techniques that resonate with them.
Advocate for change: Use your platform, whether it's within your workplace or on social media, to raise awareness about the dangers of wellbeing washing and promote a more nuanced, holistic approach to wellness.
As I continue navigating the complexities of my wellbeing journey, I hope to contribute to a more authentic, inclusive conversation about mental health and wellness. I invite you to join me in challenging wellbeing washing and in working together to create a world where we can all thrive, imperfections and all.
