Has anyone asked you how you are doing lately? What did you reply? Was it honest, or just the basic auto reply of “I’m fine”? That is the default reply of a nation that is struggling from overwhelming stress affecting their emotional wellness due to a variety of factors that can be umbrella termed into “guilt”. However, most of the time, that is misplaced guilt (indoctrination), but that is a story for another time. Many people are struggling with powerful barriers like time constraints, financial constraints, and geographic constraints that are preventing them from taking care of their emotional well-being.
A comprehensive survey was recently conducted by HotSpring of 1,000 Americans that highlights the complex and sometimes contradictory ways that people look to unwind, ranging from surrounding themselves in the therapeutic embrace of nature to the ironic paradoxical scrolling on social media. Taking a look at grounding wellness routines and barriers like lack of time, and deep-rooted guilt.
Key Findings 41% of Americans most often say that they are fine when they are not. 37% prefer to spend time in nurturing nature when they want to feel more grounded. 37% of Gen Z report scrolling social media when they feel drained. 35.9% reflect in silence while drinking a nice cuppa tea or coffee. 31.7% are hoping to get a hot tub to upgrade their at-home wellness routine. 21% report not having enough time as the biggest barrier to taking care of themselves. 20% of women report feeling guilty for taking care of themselves over other things, which is their biggest barrier to taking care of themselves. 15% of Americans intentionally make time for some “me time” only a few times a month or less. Listen to Nature’s Call: Reconnect with the Great Outdoors
When stress builds up, most people will instinctively go outside, and that is for good reason. Studies show that time spent outdoors in nature, whether that be in a green space or a blue space, provides one of the most reliable sources of calm. Nature nurtures emotional and physical well-being. Time spent outdoors lowers stress hormones, boosts serotonin, and triggers the body’s natural relaxation responses.
Hot Tubs: The Home Wellness Upgrade
Creating a home wellness routine is gaining momentum, and investing in a hot tub is becoming one of the ways to improve mind and body at home by simply soaking in it. Studies show that hot tub hydrotherapy can help to relieve muscle/joint soreness/stiffness, improve blood circulation, reduce stress, and help prepare the body for sleep. Hot tubs are starting to be seen not just as a luxury but also as an essential addition to a sustainable wellness routine for emotional, mental, and physical health.
Morning Rituals with Sacred Silence
Many people find solace in their morning cup of tea or coffee; that quiet moment can be more than just a daily routine; it can be an emotional reset. These moments create structure and calm by engaging all 5 senses for mindfulness by providing processing time for thoughts and emotions, as well as reflection to start the day. Studies show that this small pause can help to lower stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and improve focus.
Digital Addiction: The Paradoxical Coping Mechanism
Mobile technology and the internet are both a source of stress and a solution for younger generations, though science shows the irony of it causing more stress in the long run. Even though 3 out of 4 Gen Z acknowledge the negative impact of social media on mental health, they still turn to it for comfort, spending well over 5.5 hours a day on these platforms. Most importantly, the ironic paradox highlights the toxic cycle of digital dependence, underscoring the need for the development of healthier coping mechanisms.
The Guilt Trap
Cultural expectations, even in this day and age, continue to position people’s personal needs, especially among women and even more so among mothers, as being less than secondary. This outdated thinking creates emotional taxation that discourages any kind of self-care. Unfortunately, women have been conditioned to believe that in order to be a good caregiver, wife, sister, friend, or mother, they should put the needs of other people first, making even thinking about self-care feel selfish and morally wrong.
Hiding in Plain Sight Behind the Facade of I’m Fine
This default reply, more often than not, masks deep struggles. This emotional armor is a learned behavior that stems from experiences where one had expressed feelings that were met with punishment, dismissal, or being told to “walk it off” or “stay strong.” This may offer temporary effects, but it most often leads to long-term consequences, including trust issues, strained relationships, depression, and anxiety.
Take Away
This research paints a less-than-ideal picture of American emotional wellness, from widespread emotional disconnect with powerful barriers and a strong desire to reset with grounding rituals. To add to this, another study suggests that Half of America is in therapy. Moving forward means treating emotional well-being as a key part of maximizing both health and lifespan to transition from a state of struggling to genuine overall well-being.
To view the full HotSpring Study, click here.
This article was created at the WHN News Desk in collaboration with Taylor Tomita on behalf of HotSpring, where the team is invested in doing more than making the best spas; they also create great experiences while providing all of the wellness benefits of hydrotherapy, including relaxation, relief, and reconnection.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
