Wellness Spaces to Stay Social

Wellness spaces are all the rage, and it makes sense! Have you ever wondered why Starbucks is so successful? It’s because they are incredibly good at creating what sociologists call “the third space”. See, you have a home. You have a workplace. And then, you have this third space that feels comforting and familiar. Where that is can vary from person to person, but this third space is a place where you find connection.

Connection is an essential part of our well-being. Immunologist Esther Sternberg has a beautiful, poetic explanation of how the human mind creates a map of all our positive relationships: “It is our mother’s lap, our best friend’s holding hand, our lover’s embrace — all these we carry within ourselves when we are alone. Just knowing that these are there to hold us if we fall gives us a sense of peace.” A strong map creates a sense of embeddedness, which we can turn to when we’re in need or distress. A smaller or poorly developed map fosters the opposite, a much more recognizable feeling — loneliness.

Loneliness: the Silent Killer

We’ve talked before about how loneliness is a silent killer, deteriorating your physical and mental health if not addressed. In chronic cases, it increases levels of “circulating stress hormones,” raises blood pressure, diminishes circulation, disrupts sleep patterns, and puts you at higher risk of developing diabetes. Plus, it has a huge impact on your mental health, increasing your risk of depression and alcohol abuse.

A recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that 3 out of 4 Americans struggle with serious feelings of loneliness, and Cigna’s continued research showed that each new generation is becoming lonelier. Former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy blames our obsession with technology, “As a society, we have built stronger Wi-Fi connections over time, but our personal connections have deteriorated.”  He may not be wrong; traditional third spaces are seeing a decline in the past decades, including bars, local barbershops and salons, malls, diners, religious houses, and libraries.  

But all hope is not lost! People have been searching for new “third spaces”, and your local gym or spa is fast becoming the new go-to social hotspot. It makes perfect sense, as our culture shifts more toward long-term lifestyle changes (instead of quick fixes) to improve overall health. Wellness spaces combine the best of both worlds — taking care of our bodies and making new friends!

Now, if you’re one of those folks who hide in the back of your exercise class hoping no one notices you, I encourage you to give these new hubs a chance. You’ll definitely learn something new, and it will help you feel more comfortable during your next workout when you already know the names of a few people.  

Here are 4 types of wellness spaces to give your social skills a workout:

The Zen Master

Yoga studios offer plenty of extra workshops and special events to create a sense of community outside of getting sweaty and strong in class. Look for studios that offer monthly sound baths (so relaxing!), reiki healers, and personal growth coaches. If you’re in the L.A. area, KNOCKOUT is the hot new spot: “A space to foster self-discovery with classes designed to shift your perspective and give you tools to design a life that you love.” 

Meditation centers are also another great option. Many have lively and interesting discussions after group classes or as special events with guest speakers. The neuroscience aspect around meditation and how it improves our minds is fascinating! 

The Moon Goddess

I’ve talked about Women’s Circles before, but I just love the experience too much to keep to myself! Circles are the oldest form of social interaction. They involve powerful ritual, honest expression, and meaningful connection with your fellow girlfriends. If you live near Atlanta, check out Divine Women’s Circle or in Los Angeles check out Sacred Woman Retreats.

The Boss Babe

If you’re all business, you might prefer to mingle at a wellness summit, retreat or workshop community. These organizations, like Hello Wellness, bring together “like-minded health enthusiasts, wellness professionals, brands, and bloggers” for a wide range of events. You can learn more about healing your gut, get tips on gluten-free baking and then try out a signature workout from one of your area’s hottest trainers. They host events in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco , and Boston. If you’re interested in bigger retreats, grab some girlfriends and plan a trip to NYC this fall for The WELL Summit. Its a huge 360° wellness expo happening in Brooklyn in October. 

The A-Lister

Full-service membership-based wellness clubs like The Well in New York offer premium perks. These include a full-service spa with steam and sauna, an organic restaurant, reflexology lounge, yoga and meditation studios, and a private training gym. Yowza! These spaces are definitely pricey. However, you’ll have access to a staff of doctors, health coaches and specialists to curate a program unique to you. It’s luxe wellness. 

Other Awesome Opportunities

If you’re a fan of bar crawls but are so over hangovers, try a fitness crawl instead! SweatCon Rally is expanding to cities across the US. It involves hitting up to three 30-minute workout classes at three different studios.

LGBTQ+ wellness spaces offer an alternative to the dwindling urban bar scene, with queer-only fitness classes that create a safe space to thrive: “It’s super important for LGBTQ+ folks to feel supported and safe in their fitness space because that’s where we’re going to take care of our bodies,” says Will Lanier, executive director of The OUT Foundation. 

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You don’t need to be in a big city to find wellness spaces. Add-on events and workshops are popping up in studios and gyms all over the country! Give your favorite “third space” a call and see what community events they have cooked up for this month. 

My challenge for you this week is to find one community wellness event you can attend and register. I totally expect you to post what you picked on our Facebook Page!!  

 

LOVE + healthy living!