Wellness Evidence Study: Yoga Significantly Improves Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

A new study from Boston University indicated that yoga, combined with breathing exercises, really improves symptoms of major depressive disorder. It was the first study to try to identify the optimal “dose”/duration of yoga practice. Participants were split into two groups: one did three 90-minute Iyengar yoga classes and four 30-minute breathwork sessions per week, while the other did two 90-minute Iyengar yoga classes and three 30-minute breathwork sessions…

Is Eco Consumption Hurting the Planet?

Green consumption is intensely on the rise, but where does consumption end and consumerism begin? Is buying green products “en masse” having a negative impact on the planet? And how does that affect our subjective wellbeing? To figure the latter out, new research was conducted at the University of Arizona with a group of 1,000 young Americans. It concluded that people who consume less are…

Study: A Few More Minutes of Daily Physical Activity Could Boost Global Economy

MONTHLY BAROMETER – WELLNESS EDITION A new study published by think-tank Rand Europe and commissioned by the Vitality Group states that being physically more active for a few extra minutes a day could give the global economy a boost in the hundreds of billions of dollars. This may sound excessive, if not slightly provocative or unrealistic (if it were that easy to engineer extra economic…

Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of December 17, 2019)

Hibernation works for bears. Could it work for us, too? – The New York Times, November 15, 2019 A grizzly bear’s body can slow down for months without damage. Researchers wonder if the ability can be harnessed to aid human health. Sweet spot: Norwegians cut sugar intake to lowest level in 44 years – The Guardian, November 20, 2019 Norway has had a sugar tax…

Emerge As a Wellness Leader

Take the “Are You a Wellness Leader?” Quiz! “January’s theme is “emerge,” a verb that means both birth and creation. Emerging can also be non-physical, as our thoughts and ideas emerge in our minds, and feelings emerge in our hearts.”—Jessica Jesse, CEO & Creative Director, BuDhaGirl LLC The beginning of every year reminds us to pause and re-center our lives around what matters to us…

December’s Wellness Moonshot: Practice More Gratitude

December is the time of year when we pause to be grateful, but if we shift from gratitude as a passing season to a way to live daily, science says the mental, physical and emotional health benefits are plentiful. Eastern and Western healing traditions have long incorporated gratitude as part of a holistic wellness strategy. Gratitude reduces our hassles in life and work (as well as our complaints), decreases anxiety…