MONTHLY BAROMETER – WELLNESS EDITION MONTHLY BAROMETER The pandemic has magnified the macro challenge of social inequalities by laying bare the shocking disparities in the degree of risk to which different social classes are exposed. In much of the world, a pattern has emerged: The wealthiest have escaped to their holiday homes; the middle class hunkers down at home to telework and homeschool; while the…
The Cluster Effect: How Social Gatherings Were Rocket Fuel for Coronavirus – Guardian, April 9, 2020 This article explains how social gatherings of different sorts (religious, social, cultural, etc.) helped spread the virus. This is the so-called “cluster-effect” that turbo-charged the spread of the pandemic. It begs the fundamental question of whether governments, when they start relaxing social distancing measures, will allow large social, cultural…
“In real ways, we are invited each day to slow down and listen. But why listen at all? Because listening stitches the world together. Because listening is the doorway to everything that matters.”—spiritual teacher Mark Nepo Your commitment to be a wellness leader means you are serving as a positive force for wellbeing. And when you take a lead in increasing the health and wellness…
Beth McGroarty, VP, Research & Forecasting, Global Wellness Institute asks: How will the travel industry change post-virus? What are some silver linings of the COVID crisis? Q&A with Bill Bensley, owner, Bensley Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape, Thailand In the hospitality world, Bill Bensley needs no introduction: He’s designed 200+ boundary-pushing, jaw-dropping hotels in 40 countries; he’s completely redefined and “rewilded” luxury hospitality in Asia;…
Study: Frequent Baths Are Very Good for Your Heart A new, large observational study (over 20 years) out of Japan found that compared with people who took baths less than twice a week, those who took baths three to four times had a 25 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and a 13 percent lower risk of stroke. Daily bathers had a 35 percent…
Strengthening our lungs and practicing conscious breathing (one of the most potent, accessible wellness tools) is more critical now. Controlled or mindful breathing can reduce chronic pain; lessen symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, mass disasters and depression; and positively affect your immune system. Mindful breathing is also linked to increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a better cortisol awaking response (CAR)—each a physiological key for meeting challenges with…
