The US is currently one of the rich world’s fastest-growing economies, but from a wellbeing perspective, the dissonance between the macro and micro pictures it offers is quite striking. In particular, the US economy shows why focusing on GDP data to the detriment of more qualitative indicators can be so misleading when evaluating wellbeing. Here is the reason why: The US currently has the most…
When people promote time in nature as the key to wellbeing, they usually focus on green spaces. But a new article in the Guardian explains why and how “blue space” (the ocean, rivers, lakes, canals, waterfalls, even urban fountains) positively impacts our mind and body—from boosting Vitamin D to having a stronger psychologically restorative effect than other natural environments. Support for the idea of “blue”…
MONTHLY BAROMETER – WELLNESS EDITION MONTHLY BAROMETER A growing sense of uncertainty about what is coming next is affecting the global economy. It is further entrenched by (1) trade wars being waged on multiple fronts; (2) greater political and geopolitical instability around the world; and (3) mounting policy concerns about big macro issues, such as the effectiveness of monetary policy or impending regulatory backlashes related…
The GWI has just announced a new initiative that supports the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiative, and it will focus squarely on goal No. 3, which seeks to eradicate—or significantly improve—the number of people suffering from a wide range of preventable diseases by 2030. The Initiative chair is Jean-Guy de Gabriac, founder of the successful annual World Wellness Weekend; the vice-chair is Gareth…
A new study from Brandeis University showed a strong connection between the simple act of walking and better snoozing: Middle-aged men and women who took about 7,000 steps a day experienced significantly better sleep quality across a variety of measures. ACCESS STUDY
A recent report from the US Census Bureau highlights the predicament of the US middle class and helps explain the concomitant political fallout. At year-end 2018, the median household income was $63,200. Adjusted for inflation, this is barely above the 1999 level and 135 percent above income levels of 30 years ago (a mere 14 percent in real terms)—this despite the economy growing by almost…
