Bathhouses are being touted as a solution to the loneliness epidemic, but can they really deliver on that promise?
Story Overview
- Loneliness has been recognized as a public health crisis in the U.S.
- Bathhouses are gaining popularity as communal wellness spaces.
- Experts debate the effectiveness of bathhouses in fostering genuine connections.
- Concerns about accessibility and inclusivity remain unresolved.
Loneliness: A Growing Public Health Crisis
The U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health crisis in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for interventions that promote social connection. This declaration came on the heels of a significant increase in social isolation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decline in in-person social participation. In response, there has been a renewed interest in communal wellness spaces, such as bathhouses, as potential solutions to this pressing issue.
Bathhouses, with their historical roots as communal gathering places, are experiencing a revival in the United States. These spaces, which offer sauna, steam, and hydrotherapy services, are being positioned as areas where individuals can find relief from loneliness through social interaction. However, the question remains: can these wellness spaces effectively foster the meaningful connections needed to combat the loneliness epidemic?
Watch: The Loneliness Epidemic: Why We’re More Alone Than Ever | True Lives
Bathhouses: A Resurgent Wellness Trend
Operators and wellness entrepreneurs see bathhouses as an opportunity to create inclusive environments that foster genuine social interaction. The wellness industry has identified communal experiences as a top trend for 2023–2025, emphasizing the potential for bathhouses to serve as “third spaces” where people can connect outside of home and work. Despite the enthusiasm, the long-term impact of bathhouses as a scalable intervention to reduce loneliness is still under study.
Experts from Harvard University and other institutions confirm the health risks associated with loneliness, advocating for interventions that encourage in-person connections. While bathhouses have theoretical and anecdotal support as potential solutions, large-scale empirical evidence remains limited. The effectiveness of these spaces largely depends on their accessibility and inclusivity, which are critical factors in ensuring they can reach a diverse population in need of connection.
Challenges and Considerations
While the resurgence of bathhouses offers hope, challenges remain. Not all communal spaces guarantee meaningful connections, and the design, inclusivity, and accessibility of these spaces are crucial. Public health leaders and mental health professionals stress that broader societal changes are necessary to address the root causes of loneliness. Policies that support social infrastructure and public health interventions are essential for creating environments that genuinely foster social interaction and community bonding.
The wellness industry and public health sectors must work together to integrate social connection into health promotion and disease prevention strategies. This collaboration can help ensure that initiatives like bathhouses are not only trendy solutions but also effective tools in combating the loneliness epidemic. As bathhouses and similar spaces continue to grow in popularity, ongoing evaluation and research are needed to maximize their potential as interventions for loneliness.
Sources:
Coming Together to Be Well: Combating the National Crisis of Loneliness and Isolation
Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Connection
WHO Report on Social Connection and Health
Global Wellness Summit: Wellness and Gathering
