New York, NY (PRWEB) May 26, 2010 — Wellness is often represented as a passing fad or niche market, but a major study conducted by SRI International (SRI), released at the 2010 Global Spa Summit (GSS) in Istanbul, Turkey, reveals that the yearly worldwide wellness industry is poised to cross the $2 trillion mark.

The report, titled “Spas and the Global Wellness Market,” represents one of the first analyses of the wellness industry and the consumer forces driving its growth. The study also for the first time presents wellness as an integrated industry cluster with nine core segments, adding definition to what has been an amorphous market.

Global Mega-Trends Drive Growth

Three mega-trends will ensure continued growth in wellness: (1) an aging world population; (2) failing conventional medical systems, with consumers, healthcare providers, and governments seeking more cost-effective, prevention-focused alternatives to a Western medical/”sickness” model focused on solving health problems rather than preventing them; (3) increased globalization, with consumers more aware of alternative health approaches via the Internet and the powerful reach of celebrity wellness advocates such as Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra, and Jamie Oliver.

While the study finds that there are 289 million active wellness consumers in the world’s top 30 industrialized nations alone, wellness has proved exceptionally resistant to definition. SRI does not offer a single definition, but the report describes wellness as: (1) multidimensional and holistic, integrating physical, mental, spiritual, and social approaches; (2) complementary and proactive, not only treating illness, but more importantly, focused on preventing sickness and improving overall quality of life; (3) consumer driven, relying on consumer choice rather than patient necessity. (sounds like an office we know.)

“Whether you find the term meaningful or not, wellness is a vast, mainstream, and very real industry, with an extraordinary global ancient and modern history. It’s interesting that this $2 trillion dollar market has received so little research and that there is not more consensus on key definitions and benchmarks,” said Katherine Johnston, senior economist with SRI. “Governments, health professionals, and investors need to take consumer demand for wellness products and services very seriously, because, with the shortcomings in the global healthcare system, a shift toward wellness and prevention not only will, but must, accelerate.” Johnston further noted that 81 percent of consumers surveyed have a strong interest in improving their personal wellness.

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Date__________________

• Did I wake up with “attitude of gratitude and ask what am I grateful for”
• Did I do some light stretching after my shower?
• Did I eat a healthy breakfast?   (high fiber, low sugar, fresh fruit, good protein)
• Did I take my supplements to complement what I don’t get in my diet?  (Good Multi, Fish Oil, Vitamin C, Anti-Oxidants, Co-Q-10)
• Did I Exercise or plan to today? Look at myself naked in the mirror to know why? (20 minutes interval cardio training, 45 minutes yoga or strength training,  be  mindful of intensity level, push yourself )
• Did I eat healthy snacks (Ultrameal, fresh fruit, raw nuts)
• Did I feed and challenge my brain? Use it or lose it!!    (read, crossword puzzle, learn a new skill, teach a new skill, turn off the TV at night, spend time with friends, family, social groups such as reading club, bridge club, community learning center, etc.)
• Did  I drink 50-70 oz of water   (keep a water bottle with you in the car or at  your desk)
•  Did I practice (4-7-8) breathing, Inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7 and exhale for a count of 8, repeat 5 times. Complete twice a day.
•  Did I avoid High Sugar Carbohydrates after 2pm? (anything with flour, refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup)
• Did I read at least one food label today and learn from it?
• Did I love someone or serve someone or something today?
• Did I get 5-7 servings of vegetables in my diet?
• Did I eat a healthy dinner with my family if possible?   (lean protein with veggies, interact and listen to family)
• Did I drink something or do something to sooth my body before sleep (chamomile or green tea, read something light, practice meditation)
• Did I go to bed at a time that will allow me to get 7-9 hours of sleep?

 Read this everyday until it become a habit after about 4-6 weeks

Join the Newtown and Yardley 8WW offices at the Bucks County health & fitness fair this weekend, April 17th & 18th.  It’s being health at the Bucks County Expo Center at the Sportplex in Feasterville. Presented by Aria Health there will be over 75 exhibitors, cooking demos, spa treatments, fitness classes, fun activities for children and lots more.  Look for our 8WW booth.  Goto www.bucksfitfair.com for more info.

We recently attended a great seminar in NYC recently with Dr. Jeffrey Bland who is recognized by Dr. Mehmet Oz as one of the leading scientists in the field of nutrition in the world.  He shared a story we’d like to share with you.  Dr. Bland said several weeks ago he was presenting to a large audience and the medical doctor he was presenting with was unable to attend because he was on his way to Haiti to provide medical services there.  Dr. Bland said as he walked up to the stage his thought was “what on earth am I going to say to these people regarding nutrition while tens of thousands of people have died or were injured in Haiti.” And then he said it was as if a light bulb went off in his head.  While the deaths in Haiti are heartbreaking, what is equally tragic is the ten of thousands of lives that are lost EVERY year in the United States due to preventable diseases… diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.  This analogy was indeed eye-opening for us as well.  Nothing we aren’t aware of.  But it certainly gives us resolve to continue doing what we are doing with our 8 Weeks to Wellness® program.

 And as if we don’t have enough preventable deaths related to our lifestyle choices, we learned last week about the deliberate cover-up of deaths caused by Avandia, a top diabetes drug made by GlaxoSmithKline. According to FDA scientists, this drug is linked to 83,000 heart attacks. The company knew about this increased risk — and so did the FDA! Yet both the FDA and GSK conspired to hide this information from the public, says the U.S. Senate committee report.

We need to all take collective responsibility for this.  For years now we have put the responsibility of our health into someone else’s hands.  Our doctors will get us healthy by prescribing a pill for every stinkin’ symptom we have.  Our government will make us healthy by ensuring that our ‘medical care’ is covered by our insurance.  Of course we realize that this is all coming to a huge head now as our current healthcare infrastructure is imploding.  And while we recognize that there’s a time and place for medicine, it isn’t every time and every place, and it doesn’t take the place of making excellent healthy living choices each and every day.  Visit an 8WW center near you  and let us help!!!

Yes it is a happy Monday.   Do you know why??  Because I decided it should be.  Yes happiness is in fact a choice.   Stop thinking about good health habits.  Do them!!  Wake up 30 minutes earlier and spend quiet time.  Read an inspirational book.  Pray.  Mediate to a great CD.  Exercise.  TODAY!!. Plan your meals today.  Little bit of protein, little bit of carbs, little bit of fat at every meal.  Drink y0ur water.  Your goal should be half your body weight in ounces each day.  Give thanks.  Thank your significant other.  Thank your family and friends.  Thank your co-workers.  Yep, today is a happy day.  Because I decided it should be.