Results of a University of Oxford (UK) meta-analysis of 8,500 adult smokers revealed that financial incentives to quit generally carried higher sustained success rates when 1.) subjects were required to make a cash deposit (refundable upon quitting, along with additional cash incentive); and 2.) when the cash reward was significantly higher.
GWI Initiatives: Global Wellness Day is June 13, 2015
Exactly two months from today the first “Global Wellness Day” will be celebrated worldwide (June 13). The buzzed-about brainchild of Belgin Aksoy, founder of Richmond Nua, Turkey’s first destination spa, Global Wellness Day is to make us aware of the value of our lives: to make us stop and think, get away from the stress of city living and our bad habits, and find peace with ourselves.
World Happiness Report: People in Mexico Happier than U.S.
The third edition of the World Happiness Report just came out, research which uses six variables to identify the differing levels of happiness in countries around the world. And economist Thierry Malleret explains that while money and health are keys to happiness, factors like “social support” and “generosity”—and the fact that people are happier when they’re socially fulfilled as members of a group—that make Mexico (less wealthy and institutionally strong) a happier place than the richer U.S. Read which are the happiest countries and why.
Officials to Drop Longstanding Warning about Cholesterol in Foods
Nutrition science seems to be undergoing an enormous state of flux, and according to this article, a lot of recent scientific research suggests we know far less than we think about which particular food is good (or bad) for us. U.S. officials, for example, are poised to drop their longstanding warning about cholesterol in foods, while the evidence for the government’s warning about salt has shifted. This is food for thought!
The UAE, Israel and Morocco will be the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) growth leaders, with each of nation adding nearly 1 million wellness trips from 2012-2017
The Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region is the second fastest growing wellness travel market in the world, albeit growing from a smaller base than more established markets like Europe or North America. And new Global Wellness Institute research reveals which ten MENA nations will grow fastest through 2017. The three, big powerhouses begin with “U,” “I” and “M” – and each of these countries will double their wellness trips from 2012-2107.
Exercise: How Much Is Too Little? Too Much? Just Right?
How much exercise is just right? Not enough? Too much? A recent, large study conducted by Harvard University and the National Cancer Institute on 661,000 mostly middle-aged subjects showed that people who did the recommended 150 minutes/week or less of exercise (but more than nothing) are 20 percent less likely to die prematurely, while those who exercised three times the minimum are 39 percent less likely to die prematurely. Those who worked out at 10x the recommended levels showed no significant gains beyond 40 percent, and should have perhaps opted for AMC Breaking Bad reruns.
