In rich countries, inflation is picking up yet wage inflation is not. “Normally,” an increase in employment (or even more so, full employment like in the U.S.) should lead to an increase in wages. But technology is creating a “new normal.” It is now eliminating well-paid jobs (stockbroker, credit analyst, writer and so on) while increasing the number of low paid ones for all those who work and compete in the new gig economy. This is progress with a dystopian twist and is destined to exacerbate the populist wave.
Trend: Organic Food Sales Booming and Mass-Market Retailers Winning
The wellness industry may be booming, but that doesn’t always equate with a positive market performance. Example: In the U.S., organic food sales have skyrocketed more than 200 percent in the last decade, but organic specialty retailers like Whole Foods or Sprouts have seen stock prices plummet. It’s mass-market stores like Walmart and Costco that have grabbed the majority of the organic market.
Video: The Value of Taking a Year off Work
Watch an inspirational, personal moment at the Global Wellness Summit as CG Funk (Funk Consulting, U.S.) explains the priceless value of taking a year off work and “slowing down.”
New Back Pain Guidelines: Try Acupuncture, Massage, Tai Chi or Yoga Before Pills
The American College of Physicians just issued new guidelines for lower back pain: try safe alternative approaches like acupuncture, massage, exercise, tai chi, heat wraps or mindfulness/yoga first – and prescription drugs only as the last resort. As NBC News reported, it may represent a big change for doctors, who often turn to pills first to treat pain.
GWI Launching Africa Wellness Initiative
The Global Wellness Institute is launching an Africa Wellness Initiative, with a mission of strengthening wellness institutions, training and human resources development across Africa. Chaired by Elaine Okeke Martin (president, Spa & Wellness Association of Africa), it has numerous goals from building a database of African wellness operators and practitioners to protecting and promoting indigenous African wellness knowledge/practices.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of March 28, 2017)
New World Happiness Report – “Where Are the Happiest Countries?” – CNN, March 21, 2017
The UN’s latest World Happiness Report was recently released, and Norway took the “world’s happiest country” honors for the first time with Nordic/Northern European nations cleaning up: Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland and the Netherlands took the next five spots. The World Happiness Report 2017 ranked 155 countries with six factors explaining much of the difference in happiness among countries. Key finding: social factors like community foundations and trust play an underappreciated role compared to per capita income. For instance, countries like China and the U.S., which have seen recent significant economic growth, saw their happiness scores decline.
