Los Angeles has become a hub for increasingly elaborate wellness trends, transforming the pursuit of health into an all-consuming lifestyle. Residents report feeling pressured to constantly "optimize" their bodies, a sentiment captured by the feeling that one must "wake up and have a body" rather than simply possess one.
Morning routines often involve monitoring data from devices like Oura Rings, scrutinizing sleep quality, and analyzing daily step counts. Nutritional advice extends to questioning basic habits, such as how water is consumed. By mid-morning, many feel they have already fallen short of the day's wellness expectations. This dedication to self-improvement has turned taking care of oneself into what some describe as a full-time job.
Activities include strength training, Pilates, cold plunging, sauna use, red light therapy, tracking protein intake, supplementing with creatine, consuming electrolytes, and diligent sleep monitoring. Stress management, including cortisol levels, and discussions about inflammation are common. The market has responded with supplements aimed at improving sleep and aiding recovery from inadequate rest.
The pursuit of optimal health has reached a point where individuals without diabetes use continuous glucose monitors to receive "performance reviews" of their meals. The pervasive nature of this trend has led to a situation where, if one feels overwhelmed by wellness demands, there is likely a supplement available to address that feeling.
California, and Los Angeles in particular, has a long-standing susceptibility to the idea that one can become a better person through specific practices related to eating, movement, breathing, or spending. This has fueled wellness tourism and the appeal of products like Erewhon smoothies, promising enhanced well-being. The state has also turned aging into a significant industry, focusing on longevity through diagnostics, supplements, biotechnology, and extensive data collection, making annual physicals feel like comprehensive biological assessments.
A new phase in this evolution is emerging, where wellness is not just an activity but a social setting. Los Angeles now hosts events like running clubs followed by yoga and sound baths, and "wellness socials" that combine workouts with recovery treatments and networking. Sober brunches, breathwork circles, and cold-plunge parties have become opportunities for social interaction, with the latter offering a chance to meet new people while enduring freezing water.
One notable development is the emergence of singles meetups in saunas, suggesting that traditional dating challenges are now being addressed in the extreme environment of a hot, enclosed space. These gatherings are described as reinvented bars where patrons have visible abdominal muscles and the primary drink is electrolytes.
This particular strain of wellness culture, originating in Los Angeles with its focus on matcha, fitness, and alcohol-free socializing, is spreading to other cities. Reports indicate a "Santa Monification" trends appearing in places like New York, suggesting a broader national adoption of these practices.
Many participants acknowledge being part of the trend they observe. Practices like weightlifting, Pilates, using red-light masks, and maintaining a collection of supplements are common. Some individuals are acutely aware of their sleep scores, a level of personal data tracking that the author suggests is unnecessary.
In response to the intensity, some are experimenting with a more relaxed approach to wellness, which includes enjoying items without immediate health justifications, such as Dr Pepper Cherry Zero or Nerds gummy clusters. The author notes that consuming these items without tracking their nutritional impact or effect on cortisol levels has not led to negative physical consequences. The experience prompts reflection on whether the most rebellious act in Los Angeles is to occasionally consume something without any perceived benefit.
While the trend has generated criticism, it's acknowledged that certain elements have genuine benefits. Strength training, adequate sleep, and stress management are beneficial. Reducing alcohol consumption is also seen as a positive development. Social wellness activities may address loneliness by providing opportunities for human connection that are healthier than solitary phone use.
The core issue identified is not wellness itself, but when it becomes another area where individuals feel they can fail. The demands of maintaining optimal sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress levels can become overwhelming, prompting a sentiment that wellness should come with more comprehensive support, akin to dental insurance.
Self-care was intended to improve life, not to become life itself. A proposed counter-trend emphasizes engaging in activities purely for enjoyment. This includes taking walks without tracking them, eating meals without analyzing glucose impact, and socializing without discussing cortisol levels. It also encourages sleeping without constantly monitoring data from wearable devices.
The article concludes by advocating for embracing simple pleasures, such as drinking a Dr Pepper or eating gummy clusters. It suggests that even unconventional social events, like a singles meetup in a sauna, could lead to interesting connections, potentially followed by a shared indulgence like hot fries and a cocktail. Mary Kay Holmes, the author, is a writer focused on Los Angeles culture and relationships.