Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Begin.
As a wellness practitioner, my sole mission is to guide people back to the knowing that they are their first and greatest healer. As an entrepreneur running a wellness business, this mission guides me as I make decisions, accept or deny collaborations, and work with clients that are aligned to receive what I can offer. This also means I am constantly checking myself and relying on my team of trusted advisors to check me as well. According to Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy reached a peak of $6.3 trillion at the end of 2024 – and is forecast to hit $9 trillion by 2028. That makes the wellness industry about four times larger than the global pharmaceutical industry ($1.6 trillion). Anything can be capitalized.
In moments of need – in moments of hardship, it can feel incredibly overwhelming to know where to turn. The medical system that this country has been standing on has many passionate practitioners trying to work and fight within the systems to give people the care they need. It has also failed many – specifically those of the global majority and those who can’t fight or advocate for themselves with their dollars. There is then this vastly expanding industry of wellness practitioners – again, a space with many intentional practitioners trying to offer solutions that often fall outside the scope of what insurance will cover making it simply inaccessible to a majority in need. In both spaces the drive for dollars over people creeps in. The desire to move faster – filtering people in and out as quickly as possible, to “fix” more, to have more and more reviews and testimonials, to sell more – it all overshadows the mission – to help people.
In any space where you are seeking support there are ways to check for assurance that the true desire is to help you:
• Overpromising with “Quick Fixes + Instant Results”
• There is no such thing. First, there is no need to “fix” – there is a need to connect. To listen to your body, to your breath, to your mind. That takes time, it takes rest, and it requires us to slow down and expand (write, talk, create, be with nature). True wellness invites us to explore new modalities like breathwork, meditation, yoga, somatic therapy and more. All great practices to support you in understanding yourself, connecting to yourself, and working toward how you want to feel. The listed modalities are referred to as practices because that’s exactly what the relationship requires: practice. Wellness asks us to be consistent.
• “One-Size-Fits-All” Solutions or Routines
• Your journey is unique to you. There are absolutely aspects of your wellness journey that will align with another’s but whether it’s mental health, physical needs, or beyond – you need a practitioner who will meet you where you are and walk forward with you towards your goals. It is the practitioners job to offer information and it is your responsibility to implement and take action.
• Ancient, Exotic, or Secret Methods
•Advertising that presents something as mystical or secret can be misleading and even harmful. Traditional indigenous healing ceremonies and practices hold deep power, but they must be approached with respect. These experiences are rooted in belief, practice, and a way of life that goes beyond a single event. If you expect to take a short break from work, engage in a profound healing experience, and return to your routine unchanged, you may quickly revert to old habits and thought patterns–potentially even more deeply. If you acknowledge the transformative potential of these practices, you must also recognize that engaging with them without proper respect or under the guidance of those who lack authenticity and alignment can lead to unintended consequences.
• Fear-Based Marketing
• If you are being led to believe that if you don’t do something or participate in a program you will be worse off, scrap it! True wellness is about self empowerment, not fear or shame.
• Expensive = More Effective
• The more you pay does not necessarily mean you’re receiving a higher quality service or product. Many top level practitioners seek ways to offer services in an accessible way. This means partnering with local organizations to provide low cost or free programming. Look around your community for organizations that are doing just that!
At the end of the day, true wellness is about sleeping well, eating well, hydrating, moving your body, connecting with yourself and your community, and being connected to nature.
Slow down, simplify, connect.
Jasmine Linane-Booey of Kazuko Wellness is a Somatic Energy Guide.