For years, wellness has been defined by intensity.
Early alarms. Fasted workouts. High-performance routines designed to optimise every hour of the day. The kind of habits that looked impressive on paper, but often came with a quiet cost. Burnout, stress, and a sense that health had become something to chase rather than something to live.
That narrative is starting to shift.
A new wave of wellness, amplified by voices like Pamela Anderson, is moving in the opposite direction. Less about pushing harder, more about returning to slower, more grounded behaviours. Gardening, fermenting, cooking from scratch. Practices that feel simple, but carry surprisingly deep biological benefits.
From performance to presence
The appeal of “homesteading habits” isn’t just aesthetic. It reflects a broader recalibration in how we define health.
Instead of asking, “How much can I do?” the question is becoming, “What actually supports me long term?”
Activities like gardening don’t spike your heart rate in the same way a gym session might, but they engage the body differently. Repetitive, low-intensity movement, time outdoors, and exposure to natural light all play a role in regulating stress, supporting circadian rhythm, and improving overall wellbeing.
There’s also something else happening beneath the surface.
The soil–gut connection
When you garden, you’re not just interacting with plants. You’re interacting with soil, and soil is alive.
It contains a diverse ecosystem of microbes, many of which we’ve become increasingly disconnected from in modern, sanitised environments. Some research suggests that exposure to these environmental microbes may help support immune function and even influence mood through the gut–brain axis.
One organism often highlighted is Mycobacterium vaccae, a soil-based bacterium that has been linked to improved serotonin regulation and reduced stress responses. While we’re not suggesting gardening as a treatment, it points to something interesting. Our relationship with the natural world may play a more active role in our health than we realise.
The “Pamela Effect”: probiotics from the jar
Alongside gardening, there’s a renewed interest in traditional food preparation, particularly fermentation.
Pickle-making, once seen as a niche hobby, is now being reframed as a practical way to support gut health. Fermented foods like pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, and kimchi are rich in live bacteria that can help support the diversity of the gut microbiome.
This is where the “Pamela Effect” comes in. A shift away from relying solely on supplements, towards incorporating naturally probiotic-rich foods into daily life.
Regular consumption of fermented foods has been associated with:
- Increased microbial diversity in the gut
- Reduced markers of inflammation
- Improvements in digestive health and even mood
Again, it’s not about quick fixes. It’s about creating an internal environment that supports long-term health.
Why this matters for skin and beyond
One of the more visible outcomes of this shift is its impact on skin.
There’s growing recognition that skin health is closely linked to gut health and inflammation levels in the body. When the gut microbiome is balanced and supported, it can reflect externally through improved skin clarity and reduced irritation.
Add in the effects of lower stress, better sleep, and time outdoors, and it starts to make sense why this slower approach to wellness is being associated with a more natural kind of vibrancy.
A quieter, more sustainable model of health
What makes this trend stick isn’t just the science. It’s the accessibility.
You don’t need a membership, a strict routine, or expensive equipment. You need time, consistency, and a willingness to slow down.
Gardening instead of another high-intensity workout. Preparing food instead of outsourcing it. Stepping outside instead of staying plugged in.
It’s less performative, but arguably more aligned with how the body actually functions.
The bigger picture
Wellness is moving away from extremes.
From high-output routines to low-intensity, high-consistency habits. From doing more to doing what matters.
Gardening won’t replace movement, and fermentation won’t replace a balanced diet. But together, they represent a shift in mindset.
One that values connection over control.
Connection to your food, your environment, and ultimately, your own biology.
References
- Haahtela, T. et al. (2015) ‘The biodiversity hypothesis and allergic disease: world allergy organization position statement’, World Allergy Organization Journal, 8(1), p. 17.
- Lowry, C.A. et al. (2007) ‘Identification of an immune-responsive mesolimbocortical serotonergic system: potential role in regulation of emotional behaviour’, Neuroscience, 146(2), pp. 756–772.
- Mayer, E.A., Knight, R., Mazmanian, S.K., Cryan, J.F. and Tillisch, K. (2014) ‘Gut microbes and the brain: paradigm shift in neuroscience’, Journal of Neuroscience, 34(46), pp. 15490–15496.
- Taylor, A. and Hochuli, D.F. (2017) ‘Defining greenspace: multiple uses across multiple disciplines’, Landscape and Urban Planning, 158, pp. 25–38.
- Wastyk, H.C. et al. (2021) ‘Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status’, Cell, 184(16), pp. 4137–4153.
