Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of August 24th 2022)

Vast New Study Shows a Key to Reducing Poverty: More Friendships Between Rich and Poor – The New York Times, August 1, 2022   Over the last four decades, the financial circumstances into which children have been born have increasingly determined where they have ended up as adults. But an expansive new study, based on billions of social media connections, has uncovered a powerful exception to that pattern…

The Future of Workplace Wellness: Meaningful Approaches; Less Spending on “Programs”

The Future of Workplace Wellness: Meaningful Approaches; Less Spending on “Programs”   The GWI’s most recent report on the global wellness economy reveals that workplace wellness will be the slowest-growing future wellness category, estimated to expand from $48.5 billion in 2020 to $58.4 billion in 2025–a modest annual growth of 3.8%. Why does growth seem so slow at a time when employees are facing even more…

Trend: The Explosion of Fitness-Meets-Nature-and-Wellness Festivals

Trend: The Explosion of Fitness-Meets-Nature-and-Wellness Festivals  By Thierry Malleret, economist AN EXPLOSION OF FITNESS and WELLNESS FESTIVALS – We were well aware of book, food, cinema, music and many other breeds of festivals that punctuate the summer months, but we are struck by the recent boom in fitness-meets-wellness festivals, which are on a steep upward path in the Northern Hemisphere. These cool new festivals are,…

Low to Moderate Levels of Stress Boost Brain Functioning

A new study in Psychiatry Research indicates that low to moderate levels of stress are good for your brain. “Good” stress levels proved psychologically beneficial, acting as a kind of inoculation against mental health disorders, such as depression and antisocial behavior. They also build resilience to cope with future stressful experiences, and positively impact neurocognitive abilities, from working memory to cognitive flexibility.     Access this…

Hot Springs Initiative Trends for 2021

Hot Springs Initiative 2021 Trends TREND 1:  More Space, More Nature Instead of focusing on volume, emphasis will be placed on creating opportunities for guests to connect with nature and to have fewer people in facilities. This will manifest into more private bathing experiences; private spaces like reserved lounge chairs and cabanas; and maximum guest numbers being displayed in all bathing pools, saunas, and other places…