A large, long-term University of Eastern Finland study revealed that frequent time spent in saunas was associated with a longer life and less cardiac-related deaths. Analyzing 2,300 middle-aged men over two decades, the researchers found that men who visited a sauna 2-3 times a week had a 24 percent lower risk of death, while those who sweated it out 4-7 times weekly had a 40 percent mortality reduction, compared with only one sauna session a week.
Thierry Mallaret’s Barometer: Wellness Edition
There is no better gauge of global sentiments than the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Davos Annual Meeting that took place in late January. What is the conventional wisdom now among global decision-makers and investors?
Their two biggest concerns – leaving the economy and financial instability aside: rising income inequalities and climate change. And note: An interesting feature of this year’s Davos was the realization that wellness disciplines such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness have passed an inflection point and are now becoming part of the mainstream.
GWI Brief Science of Wellness Roundtable
Last week the Global Wellness Institute, in partnership with Scientific American Worldview, convened a Roundtable discussion entitled: “The Science of Wellness: Hype or Hope?” Around this illustrious table were business leaders, scientists, journalists, doctors, technologists, researchers, hotel and spa owners and more. It was a fascinating conversation and the resounding conclusion was that the Science of Wellness is definitely more HOPE!
Which are the biggest spa markets in the world?
The global spa industry grew 57 percent between 2007 and 2013, – from a $60 billion market to a $94 billion market. That’s across three years of severe economic recession – proof that in nasty financial times people will seek stress-reduction. So, what are the biggest spa markets in the world today? The U.S. may still rank #1 by solid margins, but which nations cracked the top five – and top ten – over the last six years?
GWI launches WellnessEvidence.com
The Global Wellness Institute launched WellnessEvidence.com last week, and it’s the first website that gives the world direct access to the medical evidence for the most common wellness approaches, from acupuncture and massage to meditation and music therapy. It’s designed for consumers and doctors—and for wellness businesses, so they can put the “hard science” for what they do right in front of their potential customers. It’s the most powerful marketing message possible.
Harvard and Stanford Business School on Stress
This eye-opening article makes the point that U.S. workers are both overworked and overwhelmed. According to a recent paper from Harvard and Stanford Business Schools , health problems directly a result of job-related anxiety (like hypertension, cardiovascular disease and decreased mental health) now account for more deaths each year than Alzheimer’s or diabetes. Read more about how – and why – workplace stress is killing about 120,000 Americans every year…
