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The third edition of the World Happiness Report just came out, research which uses six variables to identify the differing levels of happiness in countries around the world. And economist Thierry Malleret explains that while money and health are keys to happiness, factors like “social support” and “generosity”—and the fact that people are happier when they’re socially fulfilled as members of a group—that make Mexico (less wealthy and institutionally strong) a happier place than the richer U.S. Read which are the happiest countries and why.

Nutrition science seems to be undergoing an enormous state of flux, and according to this article, a lot of recent scientific research suggests we know far less than we think about which particular food is good (or bad) for us. U.S. officials, for example, are poised to drop their longstanding warning about cholesterol in foods, while the evidence for the government’s warning about salt has shifted. This is food for thought!

The Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region is the second fastest growing wellness travel market in the world, albeit growing from a smaller base than more established markets like Europe or North America. And new Global Wellness Institute research reveals which ten MENA nations will grow fastest through 2017. The three, big powerhouses begin with “U,” “I” and “M” – and each of these countries will double their wellness trips from 2012-2107.

A new openness and transparency among the leadership of Saudi Arabia have helped foster the growth of many industries, including spa and wellness. This is partly owed to the government’s commitment to empowering women, which, over the next few years, is expected to play a significant role in the growth of spa and wellness.

Literally and metaphorically, a light went on for me last week. I had the privilege of attending an event hosted by Lighting Science, a company devoted to marshaling light to work with our bodies, not against them. Fred Masik, the company founder, Dr. Michael Bruce, a sleep expert, and Dr. Smith Johnston, a flight surgeon working with NASA, presented on the panel. 

 

In a thought-piece on why, today, it’s governments, not markets, that really call the shots, Malleret speculates on how it’s pretty inevitable that the unbearable cost of healthcare means that many governments will soon be unable to foot the bill. So, while it’s not “politically correct,” more governments will start to legislate against (and penalize for) unhealthy behaviors. Just look at how a new bill introduced in Puerto Rico would penalize parents for not tackling childhood obesity.