We've got to hand it to Gwyneth Paltrow: she was ahead of her time. The wellness industry has exploded over the past decade, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. One day, it seemed like we woke up and we couldn't move for influencers on Instagram, and later TikTok, extolling the benefits of niche yoga, raw diets, and CBD infused smoothies.
Occasionally, this new crop of shiny-haired sirens will give away some OK advice to their many avid followers. It's got to be good for most of us to try moving more and consuming green vegetables, after all. Other times, their practices and/or ruthless chasing of the bag veers into dangerous and antimedical territory. Then, there's a distinct category of things they choose to publicize that can only be described as shamelessly batsh*t.
For some reason, this is often related to genitals. Who can forget Gwynnie's intimately-scented candle, or the suggestion that people who possessed a certain baby-making body part would benefit from getting it steamed? This time round, though, the viral focus has shifted to something that everyone can get involved with. All you need is some flexibility and that great big burning ball in the sky.
Recently, Twitter users have come to the startling realization that there are people out there who promote "sunning your holes". Supposedly, giving anything you've got down there a dose of Vitamin D does wonders for that inner glow, or in quackery speak, will "increase your vibrations".
It comes as no surprise that most didn't think that this therapeutic practice was all it's cracked up to be, and that there were some questions to do with the logistics. Even more importantly, multiple people pointed out that the whole thing was a massive melanoma risk.
Take this from somebody who has purchased a crystal or two before — sometimes there isn't much harm in indulging a little woo-woo weirdness. However, it's important to know where to draw the line. At least with something like astrology, the only cancer you can get is if you were born between June 21st and July the 22nd.
