You’ve probably noticed how, in recent years, more and more people have been shifting the way they gather and build community. For many, gone are the days of dancing the night away after having a carb-loaded meal and a few drinks.
As more and more consumers are stepping into their healthy era, there has been a rise in folks joining run clubs, participating in IV spa dates, and attending wellness raves. The verdict is in, and we’re being told that group wellness is now the way forward.
Wellness has created a new third space for people
Third spaces aren’t a new concept for many folks. For some, it was their local bar, while others loved hanging out with friends at their local restaurant. But as we moved into a post-COVID world, people wanted to have their Little Mermaid moment and be out where people were, in a space that didn’t lead them to overeat, overdrink, or overspend.
In recent years, more and more people have spoken up about how they are giving up drinking alcohol because of its effects on the body and how they are looking to live a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, for some time, the spaces for us to gather without compromising our health journey were few and far between. Also, after living in isolation for a while, everyone really wanted to be around their community.
That’s part of the reason running clubs became so popular. WellnessLiving cites a report showing a 59% increase in running club participation globally. But that’s not all that’s been happening; people are also attending wellness raves (yes, you read that right).
According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness industry has been marking the rise of the “festivalization of wellness.” This is finding folks at events that prioritize human connection and wellness by merging the magic of raves with “music, saunas, learning, and creative expression.” These raves are all sober events, of course.
Why did so many start these types of communities? Because they wanted to make friends. With friends, there’s the added layer of accountability. If we’re real, there’s a higher likelihood of us running if we know our friend will be there. But also, dancing with your friends is always so much more enjoyable.
When you’re surrounded by like-minded friends who are looking to the horizon for more ways to stay on track with their health goals, it’s easier to maintain yours, and that’s a hack that’s almost always foolproof.
