(NC) Wellness is often seen as an independent activity. These days, everything can be personalized, whether it’s routines, workouts or apps for better sleep, stress management or meditation. These are all designed to help optimize our health.
But it appears the tides are changing. After years of self-care being seen as a solo journey, Canadians are now heading in a more social direction with the rise of shared wellness experiences.
Perhaps all the years of pandemic isolation have created a renewed drive to socialize, but community wellness experiences are popping up all around the world. From traditional bathhouses to thermal pools, these spaces let people relax and disconnect in a group environment.
The idea of resting with others, without screens or a fixed schedule, is gaining traction as more people look for ways to address loneliness and digital burnout. Here are three reasons communal wellness is resonating now:
It’s rooted in history
There is nothing new about communal bathing. In many ways, today’s interest marks a return to earlier bathing cultures, where public baths were common. It’s worth noting that for many cultures outside of North America, it has remained a consistent practice.
In ancient Rome, public baths served as civic spaces where people from different backgrounds could gather for the health benefits, as well as to socialize and spend time together. Nordic cultures have long embraced shared saunas, while Japan has its onsens. Across these traditions, bathing was often accessible to people across social classes.
It brings the power of connection
Research continues to support what many ancient cultures understood: strong social connections are linked to better mental health and lower stress. In fact, chronic loneliness is increasingly recognized as a public health concern, with a 2023 Mount Sinai Hospital clinical study finding that it may contribute to as many as 45,000 deaths per year in Canada.
Thermal bathing may offer additional benefits, including cardiovascular support, stress relief and improved sleep, with both immediate and long-lasting effects.
It provides a third place
As cities have grown and changed, many people have lost access to what are often called the “third places:” spaces outside home and work where people can gather, relax and spend time without pressure to be productive.
Communal wellness spaces can help fill that gap by offering quiet, unstructured time and rituals that support both body and mind. These spaces bring these ancient practices into a modern setting, with inclusive designs and amenities such as food and beverage services. Wellness companies like Therme Group are helping adapt traditional practices for urban environments in accessible and sustainable ways.
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