The second-annual Global Wellness Day, the brainchild of Belgin Aksoy (creative director, Richmond International), will be celebrated worldwide this year on June 11. This very special day, which brings together exercise, healthy eating and inner peace/happiness at a series of public events (at spas, hotels, fitness studios, public parks, etc.) recently became a GWI Initiative. Global Wellness Day was an amazing success in 2015, and will blossom further this year as its being celebrated in 100 countries at 1,000 locations with 70 official Ambassadors across all continents.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of March 9, 2016)
“Harvard Researchers Discovered the One Thing Everyone Needs for Happier, Healthier Lives”
– The Washington Post, March 2, 2016
(Hint: It’s close, intimate relationships)
Waldinger, a Harvard psychiatrist in charge of the Grant Study (it began in 1938 – the longest study of human development) presents its conclusion: the happiest and healthiest participants were the ones who maintained close, intimate relationships. It is that simple! By contrast, commercial projection of a good life – wealth, fame, career success – won’t bring health or happiness (contains a TED video presentation).
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of February 9, 2016)
“Rethinking the Calorie” – The Atlantic, January 26, 2016
This article claims that the simple weight-loss formula—burn more energy than you consume—may actually be holding us back in the fight to curb obesity. Progress to understand this is critical: in the U.S. alone, the inability to curb the extraordinary prevalence of obesity costs more than $147 billion in healthcare, as well as $4.3 billion in job absenteeism and yet more in lost productivity.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of January 12, 2016)
“Genetic Testing May Be Coming to Your Office” – The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 15, 2015
Some companies are now offering their employees free or subsidized tests for markers linked to metabolism, weight gain and overeating, with a few even offering subsidized tests for genetic mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer. Naturally, employers tout genetic tests as a perk for their workforce, while health advocates raise concerns about privacy and the potential for illegal discrimination based on employees’ genetic information.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of December 14, 2015)
“The mid-life crisis is real: People in their 40s are officially more depressed” – Quartz, Nov. 23, 2015
The issue as to whether, and when, the mid-life crisis occurs is hotly debated within the academic community. According to this short article, new research shows that the mid-life crisis is real: happiness starts falling from early adulthood, hitting a low at the ages of 40-42, before rising up again towards the age of 70.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of December 2, 2015)
“Bitwalking Dollars: Digital Currency Pays People to Walk”
– BBC, November 21, 2015
An intriguing idea at the intersection of technology, wellness, finance and retail! With the help of Japanese investors, two entrepreneurs have launched a new digital currency (Bitwalking) that will allow walkers to earn 1 BW$ (or $1) for each 10,000 steps (verified by an app). Their idea is to take advantage of the trend for fitness trackers by offering an additional incentive to keep fit, and to partner with sportswear brands, health services, health insurance firms, environmental groups, and potentially advertisers, who could be offered unique insights into the audiences they are targeting.
