Why stressed workers need four-day weeks – not wellness trends

Spiralling work pressures make us sick. A debate about shorter hours is the answer, not gong baths or 'mindful minutes'

The latest wellness trend to assail us? "Gong baths." For those unfamiliar with the term, a gong bath aims to provide spiritual nourishment via long, calming notes played on a large metallic percussive instrument. Yes, it is just a gong - from an orchestra, maybe, or that excessively styled Cotswolds B&B you stayed at - and people are reportedly chilling out like crazy by lying down next to one while it's being bonged.

The sonorous resonance is said to induce a state of mental escape that you would normally attain only when breaking for kombucha after a full set of ashtanga salutations with Gwyneth. And you will not be surprised to learn that large corporations have rushed to embrace gong baths. Some top firms are reportedly booking sessions with gong masters in their endless pursuit of workplace wellness.