Looking Beyond COVID: The Shifts Ahead in the Physical Activity and Fitness Markets The GWI’s most recent research report on the global wellness economy includes a complete update on the six-sector physical activity market: fitness ($77 billion), sports and active recreation ($200 billion), mindful movement ($30 billion), fitness technology ($49.5 billion), sports and fitness equipment ($105 billion), and sports apparel and footwear ($293 billion). It…
A new metareview published in the highly-respected JAMA Psychiatry reveals that even modest exercise (less than recommended by public health guidelines) can have a major impact on mental health. Just 2.5 hours a week of brisk walking was related to a 25% lower risk of depression–and the biggest benefits were seen when moving from none to some activity (rather than moving from moderate to high…
Russia’s Aggression Stoking a Global Food Crisis and Major ‘Wellbeing Inequality’ Issue By Thierry Malleret, economist Russia’s aggression is stoking a major global food crisis which hurts disproportionately the poorest nations and the poorest people. The conflict is constraining production and supplies in the Black Sea breadbasket region (which accounts for about a quarter of all grain trades) and is wreaking havoc on food and…
Asia’s $1.5 Trillion Wellness Economy Shrank the Least During the Pandemic The GWI’s recent research report ranks 150 countries by their annual wellness spend. It also measures every global region’s spend and recent growth rates. The report finds that Asia-Pacific is the world’s largest wellness market ($1.5 trillion), followed by North America ($1.3 trillion) and Europe ($1.1 trillion). Asia’s wellness market simply has the…
Psychedelics have shown promise in treating diverse mental health disorders, but exactly how they rewire the mind remains a mystery. A small 2022 study from Imperial College in London provides some answers. Patients with severe depression were given either psilocybin or a popular antidepressant (escitalopram). The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity pre-dose and three weeks after. The results were enlightening:…
As the Climate Crisis Intensifies, ‘Leave Only Footprints’ Travel Is Gaining Traction By Thierry Malleret, economist The warning lights of accelerating climate disruption and possible abrupt climate breakdown are flashing red. A few weeks ago, Antarctica was 40°C (104° Fahrenheit) degrees warmer than average. These extremes can in turn trigger amplified warming and further extreme weather events. The recent “rain bomb” in Lismore, Australia is…
