Tracing the Roots of the 'Wellness' Phenomenon

The wellness movement that appears novel in today's culture has deep historical roots.

Exploring the Concept of Wellness

Currently, the term 'wellness' trends as a popular hashtag, often accompanying visuals of collagen being added to health drinks or forming the central topic of a famous chef’s latest recipe book. This trend has even grabbed the attention of figures as prominent as the US health secretary. But what defines true wellness? This is the core inquiry we tackle on the call-in podcast, Explain It to Me by Vox, where we delve into questions that truly impact our audience.

A Century of Development

Despite being perceived as new, the wellness industry is an evolution over more than a century. Clinical psychologist Jonathan Stea, known for his book Mind the Science: Saving Your Mental Health From the Wellness Industry, highlights that many wellness fads attempt to bridge gaps in standard healthcare. From chilly plunges to trendy superfoods, these may not pose immediate harm, yet their scientific basis is sometimes questionable. Stea mentions a key issue: wellness advocates often market their products by quoting supposed ‘scientific’ backing. Scrutinizing these claims often reveals that any claim can find supporting research.

Origins of the Wellness Craze

The genesis of today’s wellness culture can be traced back to the late 1800s. Significant figures ambitiously shaped the industry, notably John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will Keith. Their creation of the Battle Creek Sanitarium attracted societal elites, blending health practices with Christian moral philosophies into what Kellogg termed 'Biologic Living.'

The name Kellogg might involve breakfast cereal for many, but John was more than a cereal maker—he was a medical doctor and a famed author with a substantial publication following. Unlike the wellness we discuss today, Kellogg advocated for Biologic Living, a precursor concept emphasizing the combination of good sleep, exercise, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for overall health.

While these health principles seem aligned with modern medical advice, the issue in contemporary wellness lies in marketing these as universal solutions. Kellogg believed that failure to adhere strictly to these health rituals, and indulging in alcohol, meat, or obesity, was immoral and punished such behaviors severely, including extreme measures against practices like masturbation.

The Broader Context

Kellogg wasn’t alone in propagating these beliefs. Bernarr MacFadden, a self-styled health celebrity of the early 20th century, made quite the spectacle with his barefoot walks and sleep habits intended to synchronize with the earth. His aversion to vaccination echoed the wellness skepticism we sometimes see today.

Both figures pushed a notion that health equates to moral superiority, an idea that oversimplifies scientific insights while omitting factors like genetic predispositions or socio-economic impacts. This perspective first solidified in the 19th century, a time marked by medical advancements, highlighted by the 1910 Flexner Report which revolutionized medical education, emphasizing scientific rigor over alternative practices.

Defining 'Wellness'

Halbert Dunn, often credited as the father of modern wellness, first articulated what we recognize as wellness today in a 1959 article, differentiating general health from an aspirational 'high-level wellness.' Although Dunn's vision was thoughtful, it did not gain immediate traction.

Subsequently, the 'wellness' term has expanded beyond its original scope. In much of North America, wellness now covers a broad range of meanings. Ask two wellness experts today, and you may receive distinct interpretations.