A Sociological Eye

I really despise the "wellness" program we are forced to participate in or pay $150 more per year per family member in my employer-provided health insurance. It is presented as all about caring for us and empowering us to improve our own health. But in fact it coercively imposes bad health advice, often relies on surveillance and fear of humiliation, and fails to take into account any but seven health conditions we may actually be dealing with. Mostly it seems to focus on the idea that we all need to lose weight. Recently as a "gift" I was sent a "WebMD Health and Wellness Coaching Well-Being Journal." I'm supposed to use it to track my progress in achieving my "wellness goals." On the face of it, that's fine, but the implementation is so problematic. For example, there's a small section that shows us how we are supposed to figure out what barriers are keeping us from reaching the "wellness goals" given to us by the journal,...

  This is a friendly reminder that "self care" and "wellness" are both fine things to aim for--but that the terms can also be deployed in harmful ways. They can be used to blame victims, and to distract us from demanding social change. When someone talks about how stressed or depressed or exhausted they are, it's common today for others to tell them to practice self-care. And it's true that we all need to learn what our boundaries are, and how to say no to requests that cross them. We need to nourish our bodies, take breaks, engage in activities we enjoy, and so on. But if someone is in distress because they are facing harassment, or their kid has to stay home for the week due to Covid in the classroom but their boss won't let them take off work, or they can't pay their medical bills, then telling them they should take B vitamins or have a relaxing pedicure or download an affirmations app is just wrong. It implies that the problem isn't inequalit...

  Did you drag yourself out of bed grumbling and bleary-eyed instead of springing up fresh as a sprig of locally-sourced lemon thyme this morning? Well, I have the solution for you! Just do an internet search about waking up exhausted and read a few of the jillion articles on "sleep hygiene" that it turns up, and soon a flare of indignation will perk you right up! On the other hand, it just may depress you and make you even more tired. Because nothing says "blame the victim" like the term "sleep hygiene." You are a dirty person, say the sleep hygienists. You have sabotaged your ability to get refreshing sleep by not following the Rules. Let's consider those Rules. 1. "The only things you should ever do in your bedroom are sleep or have sex. This is necessary so that your mind associates being in your bedroom with sleeping." Because everyone can afford to live in a large house with multiple rooms and needn't, say, set up a computer desk i...