Social wellness is more than a trend – it’s a cultural shift. After years of solo self-care, silent retreats, and detoxing in solitude, a new wave of wellness is emerging, one built around connection, community, and curated experiences. From bathhouses and boutique gyms to modern wellness clubs, social wellness is redefining how we restore, recharge and relate – and it’s shaping the future of self-care in 2025.
Once upon a time, wellness was a solo pursuit – meditating in silence, detoxing in solitude, booking facials as an occasional indulgence. But something changed. The pandemic years, marked by isolation, restriction, and digital overwhelm, cracked open a new craving: connection.
Enter the rise of social wellness – a trend that’s transforming the industry from me-time to we-time. Wellness clubs, bathhouses, boutique gyms and lifestyle lounges are now creating spaces that nourish both individual wellbeing and meaningful human connection. And it’s booming.
From Isolation to Integration
COVID-19 reminded us of something we forgot we needed – each other. And post-lockdown, the way we approach health has shifted. We still want to move, rest, and restore, but now we want to do it together. Cue the new wellness hubs that double as community hangouts, complete with cold plunges, matcha bars, mindfulness classes, and yes – even pickleball.
The Modern Wellness Club
Think private members’ club meets holistic health studio. Places like Saint Haven in Melbourne or Remedy Place in LA are leading this new wave. These spaces combine state-of-the-art recovery (infrared saunas, float pods, cryotherapy) with communal spaces, curated events, and even networking opportunities. The idea? That wellness isn’t something you squeeze in, it’s something you live.
At Saint Haven, the design is as intentional as the service. Recovery lounges with tea and tonics encourage guests to linger. You’re not rushed in and out of treatments – you’re invited to stay, sip, and reset. It also features a health-focused café serving wholefood meals, juices, adaptogenic tonics and post-recovery treats – perfect for a solo wind-down or catch-up with friends.
There’s also a dedicated co-working space, complete with high-speed Wi-Fi, plush seating, and calm lighting -which encourages you to bring your workday into a wellness-aligned environment. In every sense, it’s a lifestyle hub. It’s wellness without walls. And people are loving it.
Other examples include Shelter in Double Bay, which fuses ice baths and infrared sauna with spin classes and smoothie bars, and The Well in Sydney’s Bondi Junction, where gym, spa, café and family-friendly services come together in one seamless space. These places are about integration – of health, community and daily life.
The Bathhouse Renaissance
No longer confined to traditional spa settings, bathhouses are being reimagined as contemporary wellness playgrounds. Aurora Spa & Bathhouse on the Mornington Peninsula and Nature’s Energy in Sydney are two shining examples. Here, warm pools, Nordic saunas and cold plunges provide the thermal therapy benefits, but the real draw? The communal vibe.
Nature’s Energy blends ancient healing traditions with modern design. You can drift between infrared saunas, magnesium baths and essential oil steam rooms, all while surrounded by warm timber finishes and a hushed, calming atmosphere. It’s a favourite for solo ritualists and catch-ups between friends alike. Here, warm pools, Nordic saunas and cold plunges provide the thermal therapy benefits, but the real draw? The communal vibe.
These spaces are equal parts serene and social. You’re just as likely to engage in deep conversation over herbal tea as you are to drift into quiet contemplation.
Movement with a Side of Fun
We’re also seeing a rise in playful wellness – think rooftop yoga followed by kombucha cocktails, or a sauna + swim club followed by a sunset DJ set. Then there’s pickleball – a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, and is currently one of the fastest-growing activities in Australia. Social, active and low-impact, it’s the perfect blend of wellness and community.
Why It’s Working
Accessibility: Social wellness centres are designed to be welcoming. No gatekeeping. No pretence. Come as you are.
Flexibility: Many operate on a drop-in or membership basis, making it easy to build rituals around your lifestyle.
Belonging: They offer something beyond fitness — a sense of place and purpose. A wellness home.
The Future of Wellness Is Social
This shift isn’t about losing the personal, it’s about adding the collective. We’ll still book massages, meditate solo, and take solo nature walks. But increasingly, we’re seeking spaces that hold us – together.
Whether it’s a candlelit bathhouse in the city, a boutique club in the suburbs, or a sunny court with friends and paddles in hand, social wellness is helping us remember: wellbeing is richer when it’s shared.
And if the current trend is any indication, the future of wellness looks less like isolation, and more like connection, community, and curated calm.
As the wellness world evolves, social wellness is leading the way, inviting us to care not only for ourselves, but also for our connections. Whether it’s sharing a sauna session, bonding over breathwork, or enjoying a smoothie after group Pilates, we’re rediscovering the joy of feeling good together.
This isn’t a passing fad – it’s a meaningful shift toward more inclusive, connected, and sustainable wellbeing. And in a world that can often feel disconnected, social wellness reminds us that true self-care doesn’t have to be a solo act, it can be a shared experience that uplifts us all.
Written by Kris Abbey
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