A University of Illinois-Urbana study showed that there might be something uniquely beneficial to the brain from social dancing compared with other exercise. Scientists analyzed the impact of country dance (with intricate moves from partner to partner) on older people’s brain function, compared with brisk walking and stretching/balance training. After six months, only the dance group showed improvement in “white matter” brain health (i.e., memory and processing speed). Researchers concluded movement mixed with socializing might be a potent force in slowing brain changes that come with aging.
GWI Launches “Immersion” Initiative
The Global Wellness Institute is launching an “Immersion” Initiative dedicated to highlighting global research on how immersive wellness experiences (i.e., destination spas, integrated health resorts and wellness retreats) can be powerful environments for achieving sustained lifestyle change. The goal is to substantiate the benefits of these evolved ecosystems. The initiative is chaired by Joshua Luckow, MBA (former executive director, Canyon Ranch, and co-founder, NEXUS Executives, Austria) with Vice-Chair, Sallie Fraenkel, president of Mind Body Spirit Network.
Video: What is Today’s Investment Money Looking For?
Watch Omer K. Isvan’s insights on what investors are now looking for in wellness-focused hospitality concepts. He has powerful experience in the space as president of Servotel Corporation.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of April 26, 2017)
“What Will Healthcare Look Like in 2030?” – World Economic Forum, April 10, 2017
Rising costs combined with an aging population and increases in non-communicable diseases means that global healthcare needs to be “fundamentally reinvented.”
What Factor Would Drive the Most Happiness in the World?
The recent Global Happiness Report shows why obsessing over GDP growth is misguided: countries with the highest happiness rankings (six European nations) trail the world in GDP growth, while high GDP growth nations (like China) lag in happiness. Malleret discusses why this is – and what matters more than economic growth.
New Report: Future of Wellness Real Estate & Communities
The GWI just released a report from its recent roundtable on the “next frontier” in wellness: wellness real estate and communities. Twenty experts gathered in NYC to debate the direction that this emerging market needs to take. Recommendations ranged from expanding wellness real estate beyond “multi-million-dollar wellness condos” and more offerings for regular people to a more intense focus on social and intergenerational connections given the skyrocketing health costs of loneliness.
