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“The science of happiness can trump GDP as a guide for policy” – The Conversation, April 13, 2016

At a time when global GDP is bound to be structurally lower, this is an important article. The economist (best known for the “Easterlin Paradox”) argues that and explains why happiness could supplant GDP as a measure of societal wellbeing. He offers four reasons as to why happiness should be preferred to GDP. In a nutshell: “Happiness tells us how well a society satisfies the major concerns of people’s everyday life. GDP is a measure limited to one aspect of economic life: the production of material goods.”

Shakespeare famously wrote, “What’s in a name?” The answer is a lot. Words, and how they’re mobilized, matter. The subtle ways that words evolve and the “work” they do have a major impact on how people think. Most of us have probably used the words “wellness” and “well-being” interchangeably. We probably haven’t thought much about whether there is (or should be) a distinction.  

The deceleration in the Chinese economy tops the economic headlines. But as Chinese consumer spending evolves – from products and services to experiences – Malleret argues that the new Chinese consumer will, in fact, spend much more on travel, spas, organic food and fitness. Read about how, by 2030, China’s working-age population and its appetite for wellness goods and services will account for 12 cents of every dollar spent in cities worldwide…

We celebrate the wellness traditions of India…China…the Mediterranean and Scandinavian nations. But the wellbeing practices of Eastern Europe have been far too little known. Now, a new GWI Initiative, “Baltic to the Black Sea,” steps up to start to correct that problem. Chaired by Alla Sokolova (co-founder, Balans International Wellness Centre, Latvia), it will bring together official ministry representatives and entrepreneurs to share best practices and promote Eastern European wellness that is both ancient and authentic – and modern and effective – for today’s travelers.

Read more about this unique Initiative

“There’s a Place in India Where Religions Coexist Beautifully and Gender Equality Is Unmatched” – Huffington Post, April 6, 2016

In a world struggling with virulent strains of intolerance and violence, the Indian state of Kerala is a symbol of religious coexistence, not simply tolerance. It has a unique mix of three of the world’s largest religions and is a model of how to keep multiethnic and multi-religious communities stable in the long-term. The founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Tomorrow offers a few reasons as to why it is so.

 VIEW ALL BRIEF POSTS Fresh evidence that treating employees well improves a company’s bottom line? A recent U.S. study revealed that companies that won the Koop National Health Award for effective workplace health and wellness programs had much higher stock value appreciation (tracked from 2000-2014) than average S&P 500 companies. How much higher? Koop winners’ stock appreciated 325% vs. 105% for the market average. Read…