In a time of rising stress levels, wellness tourism is booming – but this often involves long flights, high costs and treatments that do not have a lasting effect. For World Mental Health Day, ASICS and their new Wellbeing Ambassador Natasha Rothwell are inviting the world to an Everyday Escape – a simple, 15-minute exercise break that is proven to make you happier and have longer-lasting effects than a week at a wellness retreat.
According to Euromonitor, global demand for wellness travel has increased by 33% in the last year. The Global Wellness Institute finds that people spend an average of $1,764 on a week-long wellness vacation – 41% more than regular trips. But new global research from ASICS, which surveyed 11,000 people who recently took a wellness vacation, shows that on average they travel 1,200 miles for their wellness vacation – with sobering results: 67% said their wellness vacation didn’t live up to their expectations, and just as many reported that the positive effects disappeared as soon as they left the retreat or shortly after returning. For some, the vacation even meant more stress: 32% cited the costs as a stress factor, 25% cited the long journey.
In contrast, ASICS’ research shows the transformative power of exercise for mental well-being: just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise is enough to achieve measurable improvement.
In a new Everyday Escape experiment led by Dr. Brendon Stubbs from King’s College London, participants who incorporated 15 minutes of exercise daily reported a 21% greater mental boost compared to their wellness vacation. 71% found daily exercise more effective in managing stress, 65% found it improved mood, and 73% said the positive effects lasted longer than after the retreat.
To help more people find balance through movement, ASICS has tapped actress, author and wellness advocate Natasha Rothwell as its Everyday Escape Concierge. It will provide inspiration on how to integrate small but meaningful moments of exercise into everyday life – accessible and affordable for everyone.
Natasha Rothwell, ASICS Everyday Escape Concierge, says: “I truly believe in the power of movement – not just for our bodies, but for our minds. Sure, you can spend thousands of dollars or fly halfway around the world to feel better – or you can just get out the door and move. Your Everyday Escape can be a walk, a stretch, or a dance in your kitchen. It’s free, easy and yours. Wellness shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be something we can all experience on a daily basis. When we move we feel better. And that’s exactly the kind of break everyone deserves.”
ASICS encourages people around the world to treat themselves to an #EverydayEscape and experience the benefits for themselves. Anyone who takes a 15-minute exercise break can share their Everyday Escape to raise funds for mental health organizations around the world.
Dr. Brendon Stubbs, leading exercise and mental health researcher at King’s College London, said: “It’s amazing to see the impact 15 minutes of exercise can have on mental wellbeing. The Everyday Escape study shows that small exercise breaks are more effective at improving mood and stress levels than a wellness holiday. All participants said they would continue these exercise breaks want – 81% now prioritize exercise over another retreat visit. A vacation may provide a short-term boost, but exercise offers long-term benefits.”
Gary Raucher, Head of Global Marketing at ASICS, added: “At ASICS, we believe that you don’t have to go far to escape everyday life. That’s why we invite everyone to take an Everyday Escape – a simple, 15-minute movement break to take your body and mind to a better place. ASICS has always championed the power of movement – no matter how small – to empower people help you feel better. That’s why we were founded and why we’re called ASICS – an acronym of the Latin saying ‘Anima Sana in Corpore Sano’ – ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’. We hope that many people will join in on World Mental Health Day and treat themselves to their own Everyday Escape – because when you move your body, you also move your mind.”
Create your own Everyday Escape at: asics.com/everydayescape
