The Global Wellness Brief

The Global Wellness Brief is curated by the Global Wellness Institute and offers concise, smart insight into the multi-trillion global wellness economy. Explore issues of The Brief below and subscribe here to receive new issues to your inbox every other week.

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Previous Issues of The Global Wellness Brief

05/28/2025 – Surprising findings from new Global Flourishing Study | Smart wellness tourism policies | Are wearables making us paranoid?

04/23/2025 – Wellness Policies Tackling Nature Access | Without Healthy Aging, Economies Will Be Destroyed | The Surprising Science of Touch

03/26/2025 – GWI’s policy toolkits turn talk into action | For longevity, lifestyle matters MUCH more than genes | Being in shape far better for longevity than being thin

02/26/2025 – What Is Wellness Policy? | The Brain on Beauty: The Rise of Neuroaesthetics | Weight-Loss Drugs Shift the Economy

01/28/2025 – Global Wellness Economy: Country Rankings Report

12/30/2024 – Season’s Greetings from the Global Wellness Institute

11/27/2024 – Why it’s crucial to measure the wellness economy | Why wellness is defying a slow economy | Why group fitness classes are the best place to make friends

10/23/2024 – New Global Wellness Economy data out Nov 5 | Have we reached ‘peak obesity’? | Meditation offers real pain relief; not a placebo

09/25/2024 – Deep dive into per-capita wellness spending around the world | Workplace wellness is unwell | Global survey finds widespread “wellbeing burnout”

08/24/2024 – The megatrends destroying young people’s mental health | Extreme heat kills mental wellbeing | Work stress linked to 97% greater risk of AFib

07/31/2024 – New snapshot of spa industry, 2007-2027 | Extreme heat & the threat to new wellness destinations | Small study shows psilocybin causes massive changes in brain

06/26/2024 - Just Released: New GWI Policy Toolkit for Mental Wellness
05/29/2024 - New data on wellness real estate market | Obesity’s impact on the economy & productivity | Strength training boosts women’s longevity
04/24/2024 - New research: a decade of hot springs | ‘Coolcationing’ trend to heat up | End discrimination in access to nature
03/26/2024 - GWI releases new wellness tourism research and datasets
02/28/2024 - 145 countries ranked by wellness markets | Younger Gens’ new ‘money dysmorphia’ | Saunas vs. cold exposure for depression
01/31/2024 - Press Release: GWI Ranks 145 Countries by Wellness Market Size
12/27/2023 - Top Insights from The Brief in 2023
11/29/2023 - Wellness tourism: $1 trillion market by 2024 | The future of work & employee experience | Fascinating research on gentle touch
10/25/2023 - Gallup on Faith and Wellbeing | Sitting all day & dementia risk | We need to re-embrace concept of convalescence
09/27/2023 - Global survey reveals "wellbeing dilemma" | Travel & wellness to dramatically outperform global economy | Psilocybin’s impact on depression
08/30/2023 - Extreme heat will change wellness tourism | Policymakers tackle kids’ physical inactivity | “Astonishing” aromatherapy study
07/26/2023 - The future of food: from Food RX to more community tables | 23 diverse wellness trend reports released
06/28/2023 - The wildfire & air pollution crisis | Employees: more engaged, more stressed | Surprising findings: yoga for cancer patients | The meditation app trap
05/31/2023 - The war on obesity: Big Food drove it; Big Pharma steps in to solve | Preview: New Wellness Policy Toolkit | TCM herb protects heart attack patients
04/26/2023 - Why “gloomy” Finns are the happiest | Green exercise beats indoor workouts | Chinese travelers roar back, seeing wellness & nature
03/29/2023 - Analyzing the $1.2 trillion US wellness economy | The worrisome ‘premiumization’ of the wellness market | Benevolence surges globally
02/22/2023 - Surprising research: wellness tourism/spa spending & health outcomes | Indonesia’s $36B wellness economy | cyclic sighing beats meditation
01/25/2023 - New GWI Research Coming January 31
12/28/2022 - Six ways the wellness movement has positively changed the world
11/30/2022 - Why we desperately need wellness policy | New research on the UK’s wellness economy | Meditation as effective as medication for anxiety
10/26/2022 - Does spending on wellness make you happier, healthier? | Eye-opening breathwork study | Major partnership for Wellness Moonshot
09/21/2022 - The rising class divide in wellness | Thailand’s wellness market | Psilocybin curbs heavy drinking A QUESTION
08/24/2022 - Don’t be fooled by the numbers; workplace wellness shifts are impacting the $4.4 trillion global wellness economy
07/13/2022 - Record stress and sadness worldwide | 8 fitness trends | Brazil’s wellness economy
06/15/2022 - Shifts ahead in the fitness market | The “wellness divide” will further sharpen | Groovy dance music boosts the brain
05/18/2022 - Asia’s $1.5 trillion wellness market shrank least during pandemic | GWI launches ‘Geography of Wellness’
04/20/2022 - Wellness market composition varies by country | ‘Leave only footprints’ travel trend | Psilocybin improves depression by ‘liberating’ the brain
03/23/2022 - How Will War in Ukraine Change the Wellness Industry? | Surprising Impact of Wellness Travel on Small Countries | ‘Goblin Mode’ vs. Wellness Culture
02/23/2022 - Swiss, Icelandic & US consumers spend the most on wellness | “Indoor” wellness is in retreat, while outdoor wellness markets are exploding
02/09/2022 - New Global Wellness Economy Country Rankings Report Released
01/26/2022 - Ranking the top wellness nations | Spa industry to surpass pre-pandemic revenues in 2022 | Remote workers moving to ‘wellness locations’
01/12/2022 - Wellness travel market: $817 bil. in 2022//The top emotion of 2021? Languishing//52 places to travel in 2022
12/29/2021 - What’s the Future of Wellness? 7 Shifts to Watch// Pandemic Wellness Inequalities //Exercise’s Incredible Impact on Mental Health
12/15/2021 - New Research: Which wellness markets were pandemic winners and losers? Which will now grow fastest?
12/01/2021 - HOT OFF THE PRESS - New GWI Research and Special BBC Collaboration Announcement
11/17/2021 - How big is the global wellness economy now?––The radical rethinking of our relationship to work– A science of human energy is rising
11/03/2021 - Number of wellness-certified buildings explodes––Workplaces need fresh air, not foosball––Rise of mental health gyms
10/20/2021 - Top 20 international markets for wellness real estate–The power of “awe walks”–The “Great Resignation”: payback for so much unwellness at work
10/06/2021 - Wellness real estate = fastest-growing wellness market | Pandemic keeps shifting consumer spend to physical and mental health
09/22/2021 - How Fast Is Wellness Real Estate Growing?// Investors Betting on Gyms & Fitness Studios// The ‘Air Pollution Inequality’ Crisis
08/25/2021 - Study: how do people perceive ‘beauty’ & ‘wellness’? // Conventional wisdom about metabolism is wrong // Interoception: a new concept in wellness
08/11/2021 - 30 new wellness trends reports by sector // Surge for in-person fitness & wellness experiences // The murkiness of “clean beauty” labels
07/28/2021 - The future: the “circadian timing” of health & wellness // Happiness is all about expectations // Psilocybin restores damaged brain connections
07/14/2021 - ‘Fitness market’ isn’t just gyms & studios//4-day workweek trial a smashing success//Are we actually in a mental health crisis?
06/30/2021 - How big is the mindful movement market? // Sober tourism surges // Beauty brands jump into mental wellness
06/16/2021 - Fit-Tech Surge: $1.1 Trillion by 2023 // Zoom Boom in Cosmetic Procedures // Psilocybin vs. Antidepressants // When Beauty Isn’t “Wellness”
06/02/2021 - Consumer prioritization of wellness surging // saunas & hot tubs offer similar benefits as jogging // new experiences change the brain
05/19/2021 - What’s Next in Wellness Travel, Wellness Real Estate and Spas? //  “Spiritual Fitness” and Brain Health // New Wellness Innovation Competition
05/05/2021 - Apps that Track Time-in-Nature // Wellness Real Estate vs. Wellness Communities // Psilocybin Impacts Anxiety for 5 Years
04/21/2021 - It’s Time to Pay Attention to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals // Wellness Surging as Consumer Priority // Exercise Protects Against Severe COVID
04/07/2021 - ‘Dying well’ movement surges with pandemic // Aging populations to skyrocket // Pathways to mental wellness // The power of walking fast
03/24/2021 - Healthcare costs, the pandemic & the case for wellness // Research: healthy built environments // Profound impact of what you eat in childhood
03/10/2021 - Bike Lanes & Tree-Planting Surge in Cities // Exercise’s Startling Impact on Mental Health // Physical Activity Research
02/24/2021 - Affordable wellness: the next, big market opportunity // Limits to the digital fitness boom // Social vs. app-based meditation – what wins?
02/10/2021 - Move to be creative // A new wellness focus? empathy-building // Virtual reality tourism takes off
01/27/2021 - Deep Dive into the Mental Wellness Economy + 2021 Wellness Trends
01/13/2021 - Wellness Trends + Research // Exercise = mindfulness for stress reduction // January: BELIEVE // Nature, nature, nature
12/30/2020 - Happy New Year & Your Invitation to the Wellness Research + Trends Event of the Year
12/16/2020 - 2021 trend: financial wellness // The wellness tech categories grabbing the investment money // The new burnout fighter? The “no-meetings” week
12/02/2020 - Six wellness trends for 2021 // Meditation up 2900% in pandemic // Weight training reduces anxiety
11/18/2020 - Mental wellness is $121 billion market; meditation $2.9 billion // Employer spend on mental health/wellness tech platforms will surge 
11/04/2020 - How big is the mental wellness economy? // Asia’s wellness market playing ‘catch-up’ // Presidential elections cause heart attacks
10/21/2020 - New report: All brands need to be wellness brands // A few COVID wellness trends // Major study on touch // Healthy buildings during the pandemic
10/07/2020 - The Wellness Investment Trends to Watch // New Reports on Regional Fitness Markets // "Awe Walks” Boost Mental Wellness
09/23/2020 - Elitist, consumer-y wellness trends & influencers fading fast // 500 innovative wellness brands // Pandemic solution: the 4-day workweek
09/09/2020 - Build-Back-Better Tourism // The Big Work-from-Home Wellness Upsides // Mental Wellness Tech Funding Surge
08/26/2020 - Millennials / Gen Z: A Rush to Wellness during COVID // How to Address the “Wellness Disconnect” for Black Communities // Obesity Hurts the Brain
08/12/2020 - The COVID-19 Cycling Boom // Urgency for Indoor Ventilation Solutions // Intermittent Fasting Slashes Calorie Intake
07/29/2020 - What Is the Future of Cities? // Shorter Work Week Concept Gains Steam // What Needs Fixing in Our Culture of Death & Grieving
07/15/2020 - Investment Money Is Pouring into Wellness // COVID-19-Accelerated Wellness Trends // New UK Sugar Taxes
07/01/2020 - Neil Jacobs: The Future of Travel & Wellness // The New Anti-Consumerist Ethic & the Wellness Industry // COVID-19 Raises Stakes for Healthy Buildings
06/17/2020 - The Post-COVID future of fitness, spas & healthy food // Racism declared public health emergency // Women-led countries are beating Coronavirus
06/03/2020 - New white papers on mental resilience & human connection // Role of wellness, immunity & inflammation in fighting COVID-19 // WFH means more work
05/20/2020 - The Growing, Disturbing Connection between Obesity & Air Pollution & COVID-19
05/06/2020 - What’s the Future of Spirituality? // New $200,000 Fund for Wellness Start-Ups // An Exercise Boom Post-COVID
04/22/2020 - How Will Travel Change Post-Virus? // Avoiding Work-from-Home Burnout // Digital Earth Day Today
04/08/2020 - Post-COVID wellness futures: Localism will rise in travel; Perma-anxiety over cleanliness and shared spaces
03/25/2020 - Happiest Nations Announced: Nordic Domination, Superpowers Not Super Happy // Online Wellness & Fitness Classes Surge // Exercise Is Immunity Booster
03/11/2020 - Optimism Is Strong Medicine // Companies Up Investment in Mental Wellness // New Moonshot Partnerships // Gyms & Coronavirus
02/26/2020 - Coronavirus Slamming Tourism // Masks as Wellness Trend // Power of Hand-washing // 1 in 2 Americans Obese by 2030
02/12/2020 - Women Lead the New Wellbeing Public Policy Charge // Wellness Companies Like Equinox, SoulCycle & Goop Jump into Travel // The Air Pollution Crisis
01/29/2020 - The Top 10 Wellness Trends for 2020
01/15/2020 - 2020 Trend: Coaching Will Rise
01/01/2020 - Holiday wishes from GWI & a sneak peek at 2020
12/18/2019 - Is Eco Consumption Hurting the Planet? // More Physical Activity Could Supercharge the Global Economy // Yoga or Anti-Depressants?
12/04/2019 - Vitamin Sea: Time Spent Near Water Is Medicine for Mind & Body—“Blue Prescriptions” Will Rise
11/20/2019 - The WeWork debacle // Millennial health crisis // Trends: “single positivity,” sensory deprivation, walking in the wind, Korean “nunchi"
11/06/2019 - Air Pollution Kills Productivity // The Walking & Snoozing Connection // The US’ Middle Class & Social Progress Backslide
10/23/2019 - New research on the fitness, sports & active recreation, mindful movement & fitness technology markets
10/09/2019 - GWI to Release Major Research Report on the Physical Activity Market – from Fitness to Mindful Movement to Tech
09/25/2019 - The #Flyshame Era // What’s Ahead in Wellness Travel // Naps as Medicine // New Psychedelic Research Centers Opening
09/11/2019 - The Best Overtourism Solution?
08/28/2019 - The Future: Social & Multigenerational Communities // The Problem with Global Food Habits // Music Therapy as Powerful as a Sedative
08/14/2019 - Wellness Invades the Car // Five Hot Wellness Markets for Japan // The “Trillion Dollar” Wellness Taboo
07/31/2019 - The Four Big Forces Driving the Wellness Explosion
07/17/2019 - Is At-Home Fitness Squeezing Gyms & Studios?
07/03/2019 - What’s the right dose of nature? // Ultra-processed foods are the villain // “Do No Harm” will become travel destination obligation
06/19/2019 - Meet the “Young-Old” Generation // Hot Springs Trends // Meditation Like a Vacation
06/05/2019 - Asia Is the Future of Wellness Tourism // Digital Surveillance Will Become Wellness Issue // Processed Foods Are Killer
05/22/2019 - Climate Change: A Defining Issue for the Wellness Industry
05/08/2019 - The ‘Brexeternity’ Effect: The Huge Impact on Brits' Wellbeing
04/24/2019 - Estée Laundry: The Instagram Platform Holding the Beauty Industry to Account
04/10/2019 - Expert interview: from importance of death doulas to having a better death
03/27/2019 - Top 2019 Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Trends Released
03/13/2019 - What Are the Healthiest Nations? Two Studies Shed New Light
02/27/2019 - Calling all Leaders: Bring the Wellness Moonshot to Place of Work
02/13/2019 - Wellness Concepts Shaking Up Fashion Industry
01/16/2019 - Wellness research and trends event of the year // New Infographic defines consulting sector // Why are we so miserable
01/02/2019 - A Wellbeing Lesson from Scandinavia / Wellness Trends for 2019 / How Many Hours of Sleep Are Best?
12/19/2018 - Wellness Trend Forecasts for 2019
12/05/2018 - 5 trends in wellness tourism // “Pet wellness” surges // Digital divide is reversing
11/21/2018 - Eco-Anxiety Surging // CBD Everywhere // Big Tech Invades Beauty Market
11/07/2018 - Wellness Tourism Report Released // $639 Bil. Market // Growing 2X Faster than Tourism Overall // Asia Surging
10/24/2018 - Forces Shaping $4.2 Trillion Wellness Economy // Sedentary Life More Deadly than Smoking // Intense Connection between Emotions & Heart Health
10/10/2018 - New Research: Wellness Now a $4.2 Trillion Industry
09/26/2018 - It’s Official: Overtourism Is Now A Defining Issue of the Travel Industry
09/12/2018 - Climate Change & Mental Wellness: More Conflict, Suicide and Rage
08/29/2018 - Workplace wellness study flawed/Over-tourism backlash/Facebook deletes wellness pages as Fake News
08/15/2018 - Workplace wellness disappoints // Wellness for tweens // The superpowers of sauna
08/01/2018 - The Story of Goop: The More It’s Criticized, The Faster It Grows
07/04/2018 - Wellness Wearables Market Is Booming – But So Are Concerns About Data Privacy
06/20/2018 - The Suicide Epidemic and the Crisis in Social Connection
06/06/2018 - Retailers – from Beauty to Fashion – Rushing into Wellness
05/23/2018 - Working Beyond Age 80: Impact on the Wellness Industry
05/09/2018 - New Report: Emerging Trends in Wellness at Work
04/25/2018 - New Insights: How Wellness Is Transforming Real Estate
04/11/2018 - Richard Carmona, Former U.S. Surgeon General, on Ways You Can Improve Global Health
03/28/2018 - Research: The U.S. Takes a Happiness Dive
03/14/2018 - Happiness Science Shows New Focus for Wellness Industry
02/28/2018 - Prediction: Intangible Wellness Goods Will Gain on Tangible Ones
02/14/2018 - Is Obesity Contagious?
01/31/2018 - 4 New Reports on New Markets and Future Trends in Wellness
01/17/2018 - 2018 Trend: Backlash Against Big Tech Companies and Addictive Social Media
01/03/2018 - Will More Wellness Brands Start Taking a Political Stance?
12/20/2017 - Happy Holidays and Happy Reading
12/06/2017 - Workplace Wellness Programs Will See Double-Digit Annual Growth
11/22/2017 - Introducing the “Wellness Moonshot”
11/08/2017 - GDP and Wellness Are Bad Bedfellows – What’s the Future?
10/25/2017 - Wellness Moonshot Takes Aim at Preventable Disease
10/11/2017 - GWI Launches Wellness Moonshot: A World Free of Preventable Disease
09/27/2017 - Backlash from the Growing Mass Tourism Crisis
08/30/2017 - Impact of Terrorism & Political Instability on Tourism Shows Some Surprises
08/16/2017 - U.S. Is Becoming the “Sick Man” of the Rich World
08/02/2017 - Too Many Social Media Hours = More Mental Illness in Children
07/19/2017 - Bubbles Forming in Some Corners of Wellness Industry
07/05/2017 - Americans Don’t Take Vacation to Impress Bosses
06/21/2017 - Chinese Outbound Wellness Tourism Will Be a Huge Force
06/07/2017 - Wellness Spend Is Surging in China
05/24/2017 - Constant Digital Connection Is Killing Wellbeing – What to Do?
05/10/2017 - Millennials - the "Anxious Generation" - Will Spur Wellness Industry Growth
04/26/2017 - GWI Releases Research on Middle East/North Africa Wellness Markets
04/12/2017 - What's the Future of Wellness Real Estate & Communities?
03/29/2017 - Work Burnout is Worsening
03/15/2017 - Trend to Watch: Wearable Fitness Tech Struggling
03/01/2017 - Why Reducing Depression & Anxiety Could Have Bigger Impact than Eliminating Poverty
02/15/2017 - Trump Effect: Negative Impact on Inbound U.S. Tourism
01/31/2017 - Global Wellness Industry: Major report released today 
01/18/2017 - Global Trend: A Worker’s Right to Disconnect
01/04/2017 - Trend to Watch: How A.I. Will Transform Health & Wellness
12/07/2016 - Why Do Cubans Live as Long as Americans at a Tenth of the Cost?
11/23/2016 - Major economic shifts that will impact the future of wellness
11/09/2016 - New Research on Wellness Tourism Industry – Top 20 Nations & Key Trends
10/19/2016 - Wellness Now a $3.72 Trillion Global Industry
10/05/2016 - Inequality in access to wellness a growing problem
09/21/2016 - The Obesity Wars: One Country Weakens its Fight
09/07/2016 - Trend: With terrorism/travel fears, people vacationing closer to home
08/24/2016 - Tourism Winners and Losers and the Obsession with Safety
08/10/2016 - Wellness trends for August
07/27/2016 - Do we need to unplug from bad news for our mental health?
07/13/2016 - What does Brexit mean for Wellness Tourism in Europe?
06/29/2016 - Experts predict the future of wellness, spa and beauty in Europe
06/15/2016 - Media Puts Too Much Focus on the Wellness “Few”
06/01/2016 - Medical Tourism and Wellness Tourism: Confusion Persists
05/18/2016 - 1 Minute of Intense Exercise Could Have Big Health Benefits
05/04/2016 - Age Matters, Especially for Wellness at Work
04/20/2016 - What’s the difference between Wellness and Well-being?
04/06/2016 - Move Over Painkillers: Mindfulness is Best for Back Pain
03/23/2016 - Wellness for Cancer Goes Global
03/09/2016 - Radical Changes Coming to Work
02/24/2016 - New Research Asks: Does Your Company Care About You?
02/10/2016 - At What Age are People Happiest?
01/27/2016 - Financial Wellness Will Become Hot Topic in Future
01/13/2016 - Dr. Deepak Chopra Decodes Your DNA