The Death of Solo Self-Care

We've spent the last decade perfecting our isolated morning routines. Now we're looking for each other again in communal wellness events.

For years, wellness was sold as something you did alone: solo runs, silent meditation, morning journalling, and green juices. Self-betterment has long been marketed as a solitary pursuit. Wake up at 5 am and protect your peace: suffocatingly individualistic, to be honest.

There's nothing inherently wrong with carving out time to be alone, but the wellness landscape pushed the idea that this was the only way to work on yourself. But now, it is quietly shifting. Increasingly, people are swapping solo self-care for shared experiences by joining walking clubs instead of running alone, booking pottery classes instead of spa days, and spending Sunday mornings at community Pilates classes rather than scrolling through another unattainable wellness routine online.

New research suggests one of the most powerful wellbeing habits might simply be spending time with other people. The idea suggests that social connection is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and wellbeing. The landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development (one of the longest-running studies ever conducted) has followed participants for more than 85 years and consistently found that the quality of our relationships is a better predictor of happiness and healthy ageing than wealth, fame, or career success.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has identified loneliness as an emerging public health challenge, with evidence linking chronic social isolation to poorer mental and physical health outcomes.

Perhaps wellness was never supposed to be something we did alone. Balance has always followed this ethos, so in the same spirit, here is our list of six ways you can help make your wellness routine more communal.

1. Join a walking club

Walking remains one of the most accessible forms of exercise, but doing it with others adds another layer of benefit. Conversations flow more naturally side by side than face to face, making walking groups an easy way to build routine, accountability, and genuine connection. Walking is already one of the UK's most popular forms of exercise, and research from Living Streets suggests that walking with others can improve motivation, confidence and enjoyment… three key predictors of long-term adherence.

2. Try community Pilates

Pilates continues to dominate studio schedules, but it's the community element that's helping many people stick with it, with ClassPass reporting Pilates as one of its fastest-growing workout categories globally in recent years. Whether it's reformer classes or mat sessions in the park, moving alongside others can increase motivation while still offering the mindful focus Pilates is known for.

3. Create something together

Floristry workshops, pottery classes, and bouquet-making afternoons have become surprisingly popular wellness activities… and for good reason. A study found that people who regularly engaged in arts and crafts reported significantly higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction than those who didn't. Creative hobbies encourage mindfulness by drawing attention to the present moment while offering the satisfaction of making something tangible. They're also inherently social, permitting people to connect without the pressure of constant conversation.

4. Cook, don't just eat

Instead of meeting friends only over dinner, try cooking together. Research by the World Happiness Report has consistently linked shared meals with improved diet quality, greater life satisfaction, and stronger social bonds, reminding us that nourishment is about far more than nutrients alone. Preparing food collectively encourages slower eating, conversation, and shared responsibility while helping people reconnect with nutrition in a more joyful, less restrictive way. And with the rising trend of supper clubs in your local area, you aren’t short for delicious options.

5. Volunteer outdoors

Community gardening projects, beach cleans and local conservation groups combine gentle movement with a sense of purpose. Research consistently shows that spending time in nature benefits mental wellbeing, and adding social connection creates a powerful combination. Literally, go ‘touch grass’ with some new friends.

6. Host a wellness morning

Forget expensive retreats. Invite friends over for a morning walk, followed by coffee, fresh fruit and a simple stretching session. Wellness doesn't need a membership fee or a luxury venue! Use what you have with who you have, and make it a weekly staple. Who knows, you might start the happiest trend in your friendship group.