The Hidden Cost of Wellness — What’s Really Behind the Trend
Wellness has gone mainstream. From mushroom coffee to juice cleanses, collagen gummies to infrared saunas, it seems there’s always a new “must-try” trend promising glowing skin, boundless energy, or a sharper mind. But behind the hype and glossy marketing, there’s often a hidden cost of wellness and it’s not always what you think.
As a nutritional therapist, I see this every day. People doing their best to be healthy but feeling more stressed, confused, or let down. Wellness should support your health, not drain it. But increasingly, it’s becoming expensive, overwhelming and based more on marketing than science.
What’s the real cost of wellness?
It’s not just about money although many trends do come with hefty price tags. The real cost can be your time, energy, confidence and in some cases, your health.
1. Wellness trends often overpromise and underdeliver
From detox teas to biohacking gadgets, the wellness industry thrives on newness and novelty. But many of these “solutions” are built on poor evidence or none at all. They distract from the basics that actually work good food, regular movement, quality sleep and stress management.
Wellness truth: Simple science-based habits often work better than the latest trend.
2. Fear-based marketing leads to confusion
Words like “clean,” “toxic,” “natural,” and “bad” get thrown around with little regulation. This can lead to anxiety and food fears, not better decisions. Avoiding entire food groups or demonising certain ingredients can do more harm than good especially when there’s no clinical reason to avoid them.
3. Restrictive habits can backfire
Trends that encourage cutting out sugar, carbs, gluten, dairy, or entire meals (like extreme fasting) may work for some but for many, they lead to fatigue, stress, and disordered eating patterns. Wellness should feel sustainable, not punishing.
Health isn’t about eating less — it’s about eating better.
4. Expensive doesn’t mean effective
It’s easy to think the more you spend, the better the result but that’s rarely true in wellness. You don’t need an expensive supplement or a fancy app to make meaningful changes. The best wellness tools like walking, whole food meals, deep breathing and consistent sleep are low-cost or completely free.
5. Information overload is exhausting
There’s more health advice online than ever before but much of it is contradictory. This leads to decision fatigue, self-doubt and paralysis. When everyone’s an expert, it’s hard to know who to trust.
As a nutritional therapist, I always come back to what’s evidence-based, practical and appropriate for the individual.
So what does real wellness look like?
It’s time to strip things back. Wellness doesn’t need to be extreme or exclusive. It should be:
Nourishing, not restricting
Grounded in science, not trends
Adaptable, not all-or-nothing
Focused on daily habits, not one-off fixes
Supportive of your lifestyle, not in competition with it
Let’s rethink what health really means
The hidden cost of wellness is that it can leave people feeling like they’re not doing enough, even when they’re trying their best. But you don’t need the latest trend to feel well. You need clarity, confidence and small daily actions that work for you.
Wellness isn’t a product — it’s a process. And it should help you live your life, not control it.
Key takeaways:
The wellness industry often prioritises profits over real health
Trends can drain your time, energy and confidence
Real health is built on science-based, consistent habits
You don’t need to follow every trend to be well
Wellness should be simple, accessible, and supportive not stressful
I share real, practical wellness tips every week in my Health Bites – short, no-fluff insights you can actually use. Link below.