Rethinking Wellness: From Ibiza to the Office

Why joy, food, pleasure and presence belong in every wellbeing conversation, at home and especially at work.

By Rani Sheilagh - Cyberpsychologist | Wellness & Lifestyle Futurist

“ I just don’t get how Ibiza fits with your whole wellness thing?”

That’s what a friend said after I got back from a recent trip.

They weren’t being judgey… just honest, and maybe a little confused.
And honestly? It’s a fair question.

Ibiza has a certain reputation.
But then… so does Wellness.

One is seen as wild and messy.
The other, neat, quiet, controlled.

But here’s the thing:
Joy and pleasure aren’t the opposite of wellness. They’re part of it.

As a cyberpsychologist and wellness & lifestyle futurist, I spend a lot of time exploring how we live, connect, eat, work, and engage with technology - and what actually helps us thrive, both online and offline, in a world that moves fast and often demands a lot.

More and more, I see how deeply we’ve internalised the idea that wellness has to be rigid.
Restrained. Rule-bound.
But real wellbeing isn’t about performance.
It’s about presence.

And often, presence shows up through play, rhythm, pleasure, and connection.

Ibiza was a reminder of that.

(for me anyway, if you know me, you know that I visit regularly).

Dinners. Swims. Cocktails. Friends.
Dancing. Laughing with strangers. Boldness.
A functional mushroom retreat at Pikes that was informative, joyful… and, honestly, delicious.

Joy without guilt.
Fun without judgement.
Moments of deep rest and pure aliveness.

We’re allowed to feel good.
To savour. To celebrate.
To be well and wild.

The idea that wellness and pleasure are in conflict? 

That’s the story I’m here to challenge.

Not just for individuals, but across workplaces, leadership spaces, and wider culture.
Because when we give ourselves (and each other) permission to lean into joy, something shifts.
We soften. We come alive. We feed creativity.

We connect more deeply with ourselves, with each other, and the world around us.

So no, Ibiza doesn’t clash with wellness.
Nor does anything or any place that brings out your boldness, your joy, or your freedom.

It reminds us what it really means to feel good, be well  in a way that’s real, human, delicious, and sustainable.

Because how we nourish ourselves through movement, rest, play, connection, and yes, food! shapes how we show up in every part of life. Including how we work.

Maybe it’s time our approach to workplace wellbeing reflected what truly fuels us.

YUMMIE TAKEAWAY

Wellness doesn’t have to be quiet or rule-bound.
Joy, pleasure and connection are part of what it means to be well, not a distraction from it.
Whether it’s a meal shared, a swim, a deep laugh or a moment of stillness, how we nourish ourselves shapes how we show up in every part of life… including how we work.