Wellness Burnout: 3 Takeaways from Lululemon’s Global Wellbeing Report

Published 14 October 2024

Author
Nienke Creemers
2 min read

Consumers worldwide may be prioritising wellbeing, but feelings of mental, physical and social wellness have stagnated over the past four years, according to the 2024 Global Wellbeing Report by Canadian sportswear brand Lululemon and global consultancy Edelman. We explore three key wellness takeaways from the report.

Key Stats

61%

Globally, 61% of people experience societal pressures to feel well

45%

Nearly half (45%) of global consumers report they have “wellbeing burnout” – meaning they’re experiencing burnout while trying to achieve physical, mental or social wellness

53%

Worldwide, 53% of people are confused about how to improve their wellbeing because of conflicting information

89%

Nearly nine out of 10 (89%) global consumers say feelings of loneliness are a key factor to feeling unwell

52%

Globally, 52% of people wish it was more socially acceptable to express their full range of emotions

45%

Among consumers worldwide, 45% think they should pretend they’re happy even when they’re not

76%

Global Gen Z (76%) and millennial (71%) consumers are more likely to feel pressure in how they support their wellbeing, compared with Gen Xers (60%) and boomers (41%)

63%

Among the global LGBTQ+ community, 63% feel the pressure to be well, and 51% experience wellbeing burnout

66%

Among people living with disabilities globally, 66% feel the pressure to be well, and 59% experience wellbeing burnout

61%

Among the global BIPOC community, 61% feel the pressure to be well, and 53% experience wellbeing burnout

53%

Worldwide, only 53% of consumers currently feel connected to their community

34%

Global consumers who feel connected to their community are 34% less likely to experience wellbeing burnout

14%

Worldwide, people who participate in team sports report 14% higher wellbeing

16%

Global consumers who are more connected to their community report 16% higher wellbeing

15%

People worldwide who take group fitness classes claim 15% higher wellbeing

17%

Global consumers who join group workouts to meet like-minded people report 17% higher wellbeing

18%

Worldwide, people’s wellbeing is shown to increase by 18% when they spend time outdoors with others

  • The Pressure to Be Well: The constant pressure to improve their physical, mental and social wellness is making consumers feel worse. Globally, 61% of people experience societal pressures to feel well, and 45% report dealing with “wellbeing burnout” – experiencing exhaustion in the strive for physical, mental or social wellness (Lululemon, 2024). Meanwhile, 53% of individuals say conflicting information makes it difficult to determine which interventions will improve their overall health.

    People also feel restricted in expressing their emotions (52%), and 45% think they should pretend they’re happy even when they’re not.

  • Specific Groups Feel More Pressure: Marginalised communities experience more pressure to be well and are more likely to report wellbeing burnout. Sixty-three per cent of LGBTQ+ people, 66% of those living with disabilities, and 61% of BIPOC feel the pressure to be well. And 51% of LGBTQ+ people, 59% of those with disabilities, and 53% of BIPOC report wellbeing burnout.

  • Community (Exercise) Helps: Only 53% of global consumers currently feel connected to their community. Those who do have close connections are 34% less likely to experience wellbeing burnout. But 89% of respondents with wellbeing burnout say loneliness also contributes to lower wellness levels.

    Exercising with others helps people find community and improve their wellbeing, according to Lululemon. Those who use physical activity as an opportunity to socialise with others report 23% higher wellness. Participating in team sports (+14%), attending group fitness classes (+15%), joining workout groups (+17%) and spending time outdoors with others (+18%) likewise increase feelings of overall health.

 

See also 10 Wellness Trends to Watch 24/25.

  • The Pressure to Be Well: The constant pressure to improve their physical, mental and social wellness is making consumers feel worse. Globally, 61% of people experience societal pressures to feel well, and 45% report dealing with “wellbeing burnout” – experiencing exhaustion in the strive for physical, mental or social wellness (Lululemon, 2024). Meanwhile, 53% of individuals say conflicting information makes it difficult to determine which interventions will improve their overall health.

    People also feel restricted in expressing their emotions (52%), and 45% think they should pretend they’re happy even when they’re not.

  • Specific Groups Feel More Pressure: Marginalised communities experience more pressure to be well and are more likely to report wellbeing burnout. Sixty-three per cent of LGBTQ+ people, 66% of those living with disabilities, and 61% of BIPOC feel the pressure to be well. And 51% of LGBTQ+ people, 59% of those with disabilities, and 53% of BIPOC report wellbeing burnout.

  • Community (Exercise) Helps: Only 53% of global consumers currently feel connected to their community. Those who do have close connections are 34% less likely to experience wellbeing burnout. But 89% of respondents with wellbeing burnout say loneliness also contributes to lower wellness levels.

    Exercising with others helps people find community and improve their wellbeing, according to Lululemon. Those who use physical activity as an opportunity to socialise with others report 23% higher wellness. Participating in team sports (+14%), attending group fitness classes (+15%), joining workout groups (+17%) and spending time outdoors with others (+18%) likewise increase feelings of overall health.

 

See also 10 Wellness Trends to Watch 24/25.