Lighten up

Today, we're unpacking our obsession with living well.

Plus: 

• Ghia founder Mélanie Masarin shares her go-to wellness products.

• New launches from Oura, Tracksmith, Nike Strength, and more.

• A simple way to boost mood and productivity during the work day. 

Let’s go!
- Ash Read and Joe Niehaus

The wellness paradox

Reality check. lululemon's latest Global Wellbeing Report found that the relentless pursuit of wellness could be making us unwell. 

The numbers. Despite a majority of respondents saying they actively prioritize wellbeing, the pressure to keep up is creating a counterproductive cycle:

• 61% experience unrealistic expectations from society

• 53% say there's conflicting information on best  practices

• 89% say loneliness contributes to wellbeing burnout

The data is clear: Healthy habits fuel self-improvement, but striving for perfection leads to self-sabotage. 

“Often, the pressure to improve our wellbeing causes us to overthink and fixate on what’s lacking in our lives,” says Dr. Murali Doraiswamy, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University and lululemon Mental Wellbeing Global Advisory Board member.

Breaking the cycle. There's no foolproof wellness formula. The report suggests taking a simple approach. Here's how:

1. Quiet the noise: Cut out distractions and set boundaries. People who take social media breaks report 9% higher wellbeing.

2. Move your way: Those who incorporate even a little movement throughout their day boost wellbeing by 16%. Challenging the notion that intensity is necessary, the report says a brief stretch, walk, or meditation is enough for positive effects. 

3. Connect and sweat: Make wellness a social activity. When people feel a sense of belonging during workouts, they experience 21% higher wellbeing.

"Setting gradual, achievable goals, turning the pursuit of wellbeing into a source of joy and anticipation rather than stress," recommends Dr. Doraiswamy.

This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble of The AAKOMA Project, who adds, "It's okay to have off days — prioritizing wellbeing isn't about perfection. Focus on one small action each day, whether it's drinking more water or taking a five-minute walk.” 

The Bottom Line: Wellness shouldn't be a source of stress. Focus on small, sustainable habits. Prioritize people and practices that bring you joy, not protocols that burn you out. 

My Health Stack by Mélanie Masarin

Each week in our Health Stack series, Wellworthy taps into its network of health and fitness experts to offer personal insights and recommendations.

This week: Mélanie Masarin, founder and CEO of Ghia, a cult-favorite non-alcoholic aperitif brand.

Mélanie prioritizes regular movement, aiming for 4-5 workouts a week and 15k daily steps. "I try to move a little every day. It's about doing small things consistently rather than big, lofty goals for me," she says.

“There are a lot of things that I can’t control," adds Mélanie. “So, I try to focus on the things that I can control — consistent workouts, building up my cardio, eating healthy and, most importantly, managing my stress levels and understanding my hormones.”

Here’s Mélanie to share her Health Stack:

• MADE OF Chocolate Whey Protein: “I put a scoop into my iced coffee after a workout and it helps my body recover and not be as inflamed. It also happens to be delicious! It’s made with a whey isolate so it never makes me sick.”

• Ghia: “I truly think that not drinking alcohol is a secret superpower, and I can’t imagine ever going back. I made Ghia to be the cleanest, tastiest possible, so I’m biased but while it’s not a wellness product per se, it’s helped me be well.”

• Supplements: “It is hard to explain why I love Fatty15 so much, but I really do. Clearstem is a hormonal support supplement that I’ve been taking for the better half of a year now. It’s helped me clear up my acne and has made my skin so much better.”

• Lymphatic massages: “I try to get a lymphatic massage every two weeks even when I travel. It helps me recover from flights, it helps with digestion, and with getting rid of unnecessary fluid. I go to either Shila Beauty Center or Ricari, which is so luxurious.”

• Rocky’s Matcha Ceremonial Blend Matcha: “I’m actively trying to cut down my caffeine intake, so, while I cherish my morning and afternoon coffees, I’ve been replacing them with a matcha when I need an afternoon pick me up. The ceremonial grade matcha from Rocky’s Matcha is the best I know and I just have it pure on ice. It’s my favorite!”

• IZIPIZI Blue Light Glasses: “I spend a ton of time at my computer and I’m feeling the effects of the blue light on my body and sleep so I try to wear my blue light glasses whenever I can. These from Izipizi are super cheap and look great!”

• District Vision running gear and technical sunnies: “They’re light enough to run in and look super cool. I love most things this brand does!”

• Soft Services Clearing Mist: “Soft Services clearing mist post-workout, pre-shower to avoid breakout!”

Just Dropped: Oura Ring 4

Our weekly roundup of the latest product launches and drops in the health and wellness space.

Oura introduced its next-gen device, the Ring 4. It has a lightweight, titanium build promising improved comfort and sensor accuracy. 

The Ring 4 is available in a range of sizes and six sleek colors. The Oura App also received an update, adding new health-tracking features. The new ring is available for pre-order now and starts shipping on October 15th. Order yours.

More drops perfect for:

• At-home lifting. Nike Strength released the Nike Grind Dumbbell, weights made of at least 20% Nike Grind rubber, a material recycled from Nike’s shoe manufacturing process. Shop here.

• Winter warm-ups. MUD\WTR introduced the limited-edition Hot Cacao, the brand’s first-ever holiday blend crafted with 100% organic cocoa, mushrooms, and adaptogens for enhanced relaxation and focus. Order here.

• Brain + body boost. Moxie recently entered the market with a dietary supplement focused on enhanced body and mind performance. The blend includes ingredients like creatine, L-Theanine, and more and is free of GMOs, gluten, dairy, and artificial flavors. Buy here.

• Fashionable tech. Garmin launched the Lily 2 Active, a stylish smartwatch with built-in GPS to track outdoor workouts and a hidden display that turns on when you tap it. Shop now.

• Minimalist movement. Salomon released its fourth collaboration with Copenhagen-based cycling brand Pas Normal Studios. The collection includes a hydration vest and the DRX Defy GRVL trail runner. Discover the collection here.

• Training. Echelon, a leader in home exercise equipment, introduced the Strength Home, a strength training machine boasting a versatile design to fit in any space. Get it here.

• Fall runs. The beloved Tracksmith Eliot Runner is now available in Forest/Ivory, a classy dark shade of green and the brand’s classic off-white hue. Shop here.

The Rundown

Quick, actionable insights from the latest research, expert opinions, and trending topics:

• Break it up. An ASICS study found four hours seated at a desk increases stress by 18%. But, there's a simple fix — a 15-minute movement break can boost mood, productivity, and focus. 

• Beware. Microplastics are a major problem, with studies linking them to cancer, infertility, and early death. Delving into the science, author Michael Easter says some research might be exaggerated, but we should still try to avoid microplastics. 

• Use it or lose it. Muscle mass naturally decreases by 3–8% per decade after the age of 30. Taking action, experts say two full-body strength sessions each week could prevent age-related muscle loss.

Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Joe Niehaus and Ash Read.

P.S. We’d love to hear from you! Send us your favorite gear, personal health stack, or feedback on the newsletter — we read every reply.