The Gen XY Lifestyle
A Paradox of Wellbeing: Singaporeans Feel the Burnout Despite Greater Focus on Wellness
As the pursuit of wellbeing intensifies across the Asia Pacific region, a paradox emerges.
The 2024 Global Wellbeing Report by lululemon uncovers a troubling cycle: while more people are prioritising their wellness, the relentless pressure to “keep up” is leaving many feeling burnt out.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore ranks among the top three countries experiencing the highest levels of wellbeing burnout, especially among Gen Z and Millennials.
The Burnout Epidemic
In the APAC region, 71 percent of individuals now consider wellbeing their top priority—a 7 percent increase from 2023. However, 60 percent continue to feel consistently stressed or extremely burnt out.
Singapore, in particular, sees nearly 8 in 10 young adults struggling under societal pressures to support their wellbeing in specific ways.
Loneliness Hits Men Hard
Singaporean men are particularly affected, with 57 percent experiencing loneliness—a rate higher than their female counterparts. This is especially true for younger men, with loneliness contributing to an 11 percent dip in their overall wellbeing.
Factors such as lack of meaningful relationships, financial concerns, and uncertainty about the future are driving these feelings of isolation.
Generational Pressures
Younger generations in APAC, particularly Gen Z (76 percent) and Millennials (70 percent), feel the pressure to appear well more acutely than older generations.
In Singapore, nearly 8 in 10 young people report feeling societal pressure to maintain their mental wellbeing, often resulting in a façade of happiness. This need to “pretend to be happy” affects 61 percent of Gen Z in the region.
Coping with the Challenges
Despite these pressures, there are positive trends. Engaging in physical activities and connecting with others have shown to significantly improve wellbeing.
In Singapore:
- 72 percent are exploring diverse physical activities.
- 60 [percent enjoy working out with friends, leading to a 19% boost in wellbeing.
- 84 percent of men prioritize physical wellbeing, often through social activities and nature, improving their mental health by 16%.
- 77 percent of women combine low-intensity exercise with comfortable home activities, and 71 percent embrace “slow living.”
The Power of Community and Movement
lululemon’s “Together we grow” campaign, launched in support of World Mental Health Day, aims to harness the power of community and movement.
The campaign encourages individuals to move together, featuring inspiring stories and a community challenge targeting “1 million minutes of movement.”
By sharing these insights, we hope to stimulate conversations and encourage people to reflect on how to support their wellbeing. Moving with others and feeling a sense of community can positively impact how a person feels.
Calvin McDonald, CEO of lululemon, emphasises the importance of community and movement in enhancing wellbeing.
Through this initiative, lululemon hopes to unlock complimentary movement classes and inspire a collective uplift in wellbeing.
“Move. Mind. Unite” – Comprising of multiple one-hour workout sessions conducted over a 24-hour period, the Murph Challenge is an endurance-based CrossFit workout that involves running one mile (1.6km), doing 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and running another mile – all while wearing a weighted vest, symbolising the mental wellbeing challenges that persist throughout the day.
Details on lululemon’s Move. Mind. Unite
When: 20 October 2024
Where:
- Mobilus CQ (12am / 4am)
- FireCity, Hello Body, Fitness Bravo, Amplify, F45 Changi Business Park, BFT Loyang (8am / 9am)
- FireCity, Crossfit Kampung, Grityard, Canvas, DVS (Shenton Way, Paya Lebar), Core Collective (12pm)
- The Garage, MOF, REVL, Canvas, DVS (Shenton Way, Paya Lebar) (4pm)
- MOF, Grityard (8pm)
All proceeds raised from the challenge will be donated to Samaritans of Singapore.
Tickets will go on sale from September 30. Each ticket includes a limited edition lululemon top. For further details, refer to lululemon’s Instagram page.
Graphics and data courtesy of lululemon.
