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Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of May 3, 2016)

“The science of happiness can trump GDP as a guide for policy” – The Conversation, April 13, 2016

At a time when global GDP is bound to be structurally lower, this is an important article. The economist (best known for the “Easterlin Paradox”) argues that and explains why happiness could supplant GDP as a measure of societal wellbeing. He offers four reasons as to why happiness should be preferred to GDP. In a nutshell: “Happiness tells us how well a society satisfies the major concerns of people’s everyday life. GDP is a measure limited to one aspect of economic life: the production of material goods.”

What’s the Difference Between Wellness and Well-being? Or is There One?

Shakespeare famously wrote, “What’s in a name?” The answer is a lot. Words, and how they’re mobilized, matter. The subtle ways that words evolve and the “work” they do have a major impact on how people think. Most of us have probably used the words “wellness” and “well-being” interchangeably. We probably haven’t thought much about whether there is (or should be) a distinction.

Chinese Economy on Skids, But Consumer Wellness Spending Will Boom

The deceleration in the Chinese economy tops the economic headlines. But as Chinese consumer spending evolves – from products and services to experiences – Malleret argues that the new Chinese consumer will, in fact, spend much more on travel, spas, organic food and fitness. Read about how, by 2030, China’s working-age population and its appetite for wellness goods and services will account for 12 cents of every dollar spent in cities worldwide…

GWI “Baltic to the Black Sea” Initiative Launches

We celebrate the wellness traditions of India…China…the Mediterranean and Scandinavian nations. But the wellbeing practices of Eastern Europe have been far too little known. Now, a new GWI Initiative, “Baltic to the Black Sea,” steps up to start to correct that problem. Chaired by Alla Sokolova (co-founder, Balans International Wellness Centre, Latvia), it will bring together official ministry representatives and entrepreneurs to share best practices and promote Eastern European wellness that is both ancient and authentic – and modern and effective – for today’s travelers.

Wellness Evidence Study: Walking, Swimming, Dancing, Even Gardening – All are Alzheimer’s Fighters

We’ve all seen the studies that show exercise improves mental power in older people. But new research from UCLA is some of the first to track people over a span of several years using brain scans. The findings are crucial in a world where dementia is predicted to triple in the next 35 years. Because, whether you walk, swim, ballroom dance, or even garden (just a few times a week), keeping moving means significantly more gray matter – and 50 percent less risk of experiencing memory decline or Alzheimer’s.

Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of April 19, 2016)

“There’s a Place in India Where Religions Coexist Beautifully and Gender Equality Is Unmatched” – Huffington Post, April 6, 2016

In a world struggling with virulent strains of intolerance and violence, the Indian state of Kerala is a symbol of religious coexistence, not simply tolerance. It has a unique mix of three of the world’s largest religions and is a model of how to keep multiethnic and multi-religious communities stable in the long-term. The founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Tomorrow offers a few reasons as to why it is so.