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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Wellness Syndrome summary
Carl Cederström
André Spicer
Why healthy living isn't all it says it is
12 mins
Brief summary
"The Wellness Syndrome" by Carl Cederström and André Spicer critiques the contemporary obsession with health and wellness as a form of neoliberal self-governance that ultimately reinforces social inequalities.
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The Wellness Syndrome
Summary of 5 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 5
An obsession with wellness has become an ideology, limiting freedom of thought and action.
Many people consider the pursuit of wellness a lifelong goal. To stay on track, these people avoid “unhealthy” influences, whether it be eating fatty pork chops or smoking cigarettes. They head to a Pilates class daily and occasionally enjoy some pampering at a fancy spa.
Eating correctly and exercising daily – what’s wrong with that?
Well, we first have to consider that “wellness” means more than exercising regularly and eating healthily. Wellness is an ideology; it holds that a healthy body is a necessary state for success and happiness in life.
Thinking this way marks a significant societal change. If you cared about your looks and health decades ago, people would think you vain and superficial. Today, the cult of wellness stresses that to be successful in everything in life, you need a fat-free, fit body and a clear, capable state of mind.
The problem is that adhering to such an ideology compulsively can limit your freedom of thought, causing you to miss important experiences.
The wellness doctrine is based on a narrow way of thinking that revolves exclusively around health while forbidding many activities such as drinking or taking recreational drugs. Such activities society used to view as not only enjoyable but also important rites of passage.
Many American universities now require students to sign a wellness contract upon enrollment. Students pledge to abstain from alcohol and drugs and devote themselves to living healthily.
Yet these straight-edge students will undoubtedly miss out on youthful experiences that once inspired society’s greatest thinkers. French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre famously indulged in coffee, cigarettes and alcohol while at school, his circle of friends enjoying discussions of absurdity and revolution.
Such experiences were mind-expanding! Contemporary students of philosophy pushed to follow the tenets of wellness might miss out.
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What is The Wellness Syndrome about?
The Wellness Syndrome (2015) explains why a health craze that’s sweeping the world may not be all that healthy for you. These blinks get to the root of why we’re obsessed with making ourselves happier, healthier and harder-working – and who is reaping the benefits of this obsession.
The Wellness Syndrome Review
The Wellness Syndrome (2015) by Carl Cederström and André Spicer is a thought-provoking exploration of the obsession with wellness in contemporary society and why it might not be as beneficial as we think. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers a critical perspective on the wellness industry, challenging popular beliefs and shedding light on the potential downsides of the wellness obsession.
- Provides insights into the cultural and social implications of the wellness culture, encouraging readers to question their own motivations and choices.
- Engages readers with its accessible and engaging writing style, making complex ideas easy to understand and relatable.
Best quote from The Wellness Syndrome
When health becomes an ideology, the failure to conform becomes a stigma.
—Carl Cederström and André Spicer
Who should read The Wellness Syndrome?
- Self-help practitioners looking for alternate viewpoints
- Students of sociology
- People suffering from work-related anxiety or depression
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The Wellness Syndrome FAQs
What is the main message of The Wellness Syndrome?
The main message of The Wellness Syndrome is that the pursuit of wellness has become an oppressive burden in modern society.
How long does it take to read The Wellness Syndrome?
The reading time for The Wellness Syndrome varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Wellness Syndrome a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Wellness Syndrome is an eye-opening book that exposes the dark side of our wellness-obsessed culture. Definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of The Wellness Syndrome?
The author of The Wellness Syndrome is Carl Cederström and André Spicer.
What to read after The Wellness Syndrome?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Wellness Syndrome, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky
- The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky
- Happy Ever After by Paul Dolan
- Surprise by Tania Luna and LeeAnn Renninger
- The Happy Mind by Kevin Horsley and Louis Fourie
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Phaedo by Plato
- Four Ways of Thinking by David Sumpter
- Happy by Derren Brown