lululemon Establishes Global Benchmark for Wellbeing with New Report

February 1, 2021

lululemon released its first-ever Global Wellbeing Report, advancing the Company’s commitment to advocate for wellbeing—enabling holistic wellbeing through movement, mindfulness, and connection. The 10-country study benchmarks the state of wellbeing worldwide with an inaugural Global Wellbeing Index and explores the dimensions, drivers, and barriers to being well.

“The events of the past year brought unprecedented challenges to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people worldwide,” said Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer. “At lululemon, we believe in a holistic approach to wellbeing that helps create a healthier future for all. This research accelerates our efforts to support the wellbeing of the guests, employees and the communities we serve.”

Some key findings include:

The state of global wellbeing exposes the paradox of people saying they feel “fine.”
 

• The Global Wellbeing Index currently sits at 65, indicating a moderate level of feeling well on a spectrum of weak to strong wellbeing. The index is based on how people around the world rate how they feel across the physical, mental, and social dimensions of wellbeing.

• Despite a moderate Index average, less than a third (29 percent) of global respondents indicate strong wellbeing across all three dimensions.

• An examination of performance against the top five drivers of strong overall wellbeing reveals a critical need to improve:
        o Only 15 percent consider themselves in good physical health
        o Only 17 percent feel they are able to manage stress effectively.
        o Only 19 percent feel like they have enough energy to be able to accomplish things they need to do every day.
        o Only 19 percent feel confident in themselves most of the time.
        o Only 18 percent have a good work/school/home life balance. 
 

Optimism for the future is on the decline.
 

• Optimism has fallen 19 percent with only 40 percent feeling optimistic about the future now, compared to 59 percent who felt optimistic about the future a year ago.

• As optimism declines, the importance of wellbeing is on the rise with half of global respondents expecting to increase focus on physical and mental wellbeing this year.

• 86 percent report barriers impacting their wellbeing with key inhibitors including: 
        o COVID-19 (51 percent)
        o Time/personal responsibilities (47 percent)
        o Lack of money (46 percent)
        o Lack of a personal support network (45 percent)
        o Health conditions (42 percent)  
        o Stress (32 percent)
        o Limited access to resources (32 percent)
 

Gen Z has the lowest wellbeing among generations.
 

• More Gen Zs (92 percent) report facing barriers that impact their wellbeing – including stress and a lack of time, money, knowledge and resources – than any other generation.

• Gen Z has had the most difficulty coping with COVID-19 and is most focused on, and impacted by, social issues. One in four Gen Zs are deeply affected by issues including COVID-19 and racial injustice, creating a barrier to mental wellbeing.

• The generational impact is acute in the US, where Gen Z report the lowest Index score (56) and are the least likely to feel well across all three dimensions (only 13 percent) than in any other country.
 

A holistic approach and proactive mindset catalyze stronger wellbeing and optimism.
 

• People coping very well during these unprecedented times are focused on simple activities to support their wellbeing. The actions creating the greatest impact among those coping very well (versus those having difficulty coping) include getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, connecting with people they care about, being physically active, and spending time outdoors.

• The study found that the drivers of being well are interconnected; making strides in one area will benefit overall wellbeing.

• The research reveals that a proactive approach to personal development drives stronger wellbeing and a more optimistic view toward the future:
        o Those who are proactive are more likely to feel they are in good physical health and able to manage stress—the top two drivers of over wellbeing.
        o People with a proactive mindset are significantly more likely to be optimistic about the future (53%) than those who are not proactive (22%).

• The impact of a proactivity is seen in China, the standout market with the highest regional Wellbeing Index of 79 (vs. 65 global average), and 62 percent of its citizens feeling well across all three dimensions.
        o The research indicates strong wellbeing in China is supported by a proactive mindset amongst 78 percent of the population.
 

Employers must do more to support being well.
 

• Only 15 percent of those employed strongly agree their employer offers resources that support their overall wellbeing. The study also revealed a close connection between a positive work environment and optimism for the future.

• The impact of work on wellbeing is highlighted in Japan, which reports the lowest regional Wellbeing Index of 60, with only 21 percent of its citizens feeling well across all three dimensions.
        o Stress acts as a greater barrier in Japan, where fewer than 1 in 10 experience positive work/life balance.

For more information on our key findings click here and to view the full lululemon Global Wellbeing Report, click here.