Wellness guru

A health and wellness guru is typically someone with a significant following among those seeking health advice. In the United States, it has evolved to describe any teacher whose teachings on health and wellness are widely followed. A common characteristic is that these individuals often have few, if any, medical or professional credentials, instead frequently being celebrities from popular entertainment who have become spokespersons for health topics. Their evident good looks and fame usually play a large role in their success in this field. People tend to believe what becomes popular based on public influence. This phenomenon is partly explained by "self-conception," where people replicate the actions of those they see as the best potential version of themselves, hoping to achieve a similar state.

• Arianna Huffington's personal experience of collapsing from exhaustion and chronic burnout in 2007 was a wake-up call that led her to redefine success. She subsequently became a strong advocate for sleep, emphasizing that quality sleep is crucial for mental clarity, energy, and overall health.
• Gwyneth Paltrow is an actress who transitioned into a health "expert" and founded the website Goop. Initially, Goop focused on celebrity lifestyle and travel, but it later shifted its emphasis to internal health and well-being, detailing Paltrow's exercise regimens and cleanses.
• Andrew Weil is a biomedically trained physician who earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1968. He became disillusioned with conventional biomedicine after encountering opposition to his research and subsequently investigated indigenous healing systems and medicinal plants, leading him to adopt practices like yoga, vegetarianism, and meditation.
• Deepak Chopra, a biomedically trained physician with board certifications in internal medicine and endocrinology, became disillusioned with his successful conventional medical career. His conversion to Transcendental Meditation (TM), which he credits with helping him cease drinking and smoking, led him to Ayurvedic medicine and quantum healing method.

Influences

Wellness promoters and the holistic health movement draw on various influences. The original term "guru" comes from Eastern religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. The movement draws heavily on various Eastern healing systems, such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. It also attempts to create a core neoshamanism drawing from indigenous healing traditions, particularly those of Native American cultures. Nineteenth-century Western heterodox medical systems like homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and naturopathy are also antecedents. Other influences include the human potential movement, humanistic medicine, the wellness movement, the feminist movement (and associated natural birthing movement), and the environmental movement. In the 1960s and 1970s, Americans became fascinated with Eastern culture and philosophy. A rise in anxiety levels and a desire to reassert control over one's body and mind may also contribute to seeking out wellness approaches. Educational backgrounds among wellness promoters vary significantly. Some, like Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra, have medical degrees from established institutions. Others have training in fields like nutrition, psychology, physical fitness,or personal experience. However, many popular figures in the field lack medical or professional credentials.

Promotion

Wellness promoters make their knowledge and guidance available to the public in various ways. They utilize organs of mass communication, including books, audiotapes, videotapes, and television appearances. This includes self-help books and accompanying videos. Over-the-counter guided imagery packages with music are also widely available. Promoters run websites, like Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. They market specific exercise videos and programs, engage in public speaking and give lectures. Wellness centers, like the Chopra Center for Well Being and Parsley Health offer programs, courses, and therapies. Social media has significantly changed how people access health and wellness information. Anyone can create a wellness program by sharing photos or videos of food or fitness routines.

Criticism

The accessibility of mass content on the internet and social media has allowed self-proclaimed experts and health and wellness gurus to gain attention and influence public opinion by sharing often misleading information about health and nutrition. The rise of these figures, many lacking ethical standards, competes with credible nutrition professionals and scientists who adhere to evidence-based practices. Gurus attract followers through compelling narratives, often monetising content without significant consequence for spreading false information. Credentialed experts, such as registered dietitian nutritionists, face challenges in competing in the online space while adhering to evidence. For example, Gwyneth Paltrow's advocacy for controversial practices like inserting jade eggs has been labelled unnecessary and risky. Critics like Timothy Caulfield, a health and law expert, have called the idea that the body needs detoxifying completely ridiculous from a scientific perspective. Jennifer Gunter, an OB/GYN, has stated that Goop's theories negatively impact her patients, leading them to adopt potentially harmful practices and undergo unnecessary testing.

Potential benefits

Despite the criticisms, some sources acknowledge potential benefits associated with wellness promotion. Some advice, such as promoting exercise, balanced eating, relaxation, and seeking social support, can be genuinely beneficial. Popular media can serve as an accessible starting point for individuals looking to improve their health, offering pragmatic advice adapted to the constraints of busy lives. Engaging with wellness information can potentially lead readers to acquire expertise, enabling them to critically assess health claims and institutions. Furthermore, some wellness publications and gurus touch upon broader social concerns, such as environmental health, issues within the healthcare system, and the food industry, potentially raising readers' awareness beyond individual health.

Sources

• Shally-Jensen, Michael (2019). Alternative Healing in American History: An Encyclopedia from Acupuncture to Yoga. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. pp. 344–352. ISBN 979-8-216-04482-6.

Further reading

• Baker, Stephanie Alice (2022). "Wellness Gurus, Internet Celebrities and Influencers". Wellness Culture: 75–113. doi:10.1108/978-1-80262-465-620221004. ISBN 978-1-80262-468-7.
• Rojek, Chris; Baker, Stephanie Alice (21 May 2019). "The scandal that should force us to reconsider wellness advice from influencers". The Conversation.
• Raphael, Rina (2022). The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-1-250-79301-0.
• Gillespie-Hoffman, Samantha (August 2024). Praying to TikTok, Seeking the Self: How Rhetoric Reveals and Conceals the World's Most Powerful Guru of the Postindustrial Age (Thesis).
• Baker, Stephanie Alice (2022). "Wellness as a Gateway to Misinformation, Disinformation and Conspiracy". Wellness Culture. pp. 115–151. doi:10.1108/978-1-80262-465-620221005. ISBN 978-1-80262-468-7.