Sixth World Wellness Weekend aims to provide global catalyst for living well together

4,000 venues in 140 countries are to offer fun, free, inclusive group activities and classes to millions of people during the sixth World Wellness Weekend in September.

In alignment with the United Nations since 2017, World Wellness Weekend is supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 of ‘Good Health and Well-being for All’ through five Pillars of Wellness: Sleep & Creativity, Nutrition & Immunity, Movement and Vitality, Mindfulness and Serenity, Sense of purpose & Solidarity.

Set to be held from 16th to 18th September, World Wellness Weekend is encouraging wellness seekers and active travellers to team up with a friend (a ‘wellness buddy’), family or colleagues to set a specific goal to be ‘fitter together’ and, once achieved, to support the association of their choice in order turn the miles on their pedometer into money.

People running on treadmills, walking to work, jogging, cycling or hiking for fun and health, will support those who walk for days to flee war and devastation, leaving everything behind, praying that hope and help is on the way.

As World Wellness Weekend founder, Jean-Guy de Gabriac explains “there is no nobler purpose in life, than to empower people to become the best version of themselves and then reach out to support others.

“During the Covid pandemic, our focus moved to boosting vitality, serenity, resiliency and immunity.

“However, dramatic events in Beirut, Myanmar, and now Ukraine place solidarity on the forefront and the necessity of ‘living well together’.”

de Gabriac goes on to explain that World Wellness Weekend is not just a weekend with free activities, each year, before the September equinox, noting “we are a year-round movement and a vibrant network of professionals motivated by making a difference in fitness, mindfulness, well-being, beauty, hospitality, and tourism.

“We share international best practices to elevate guest experience and drive more clients into spas, clubs, hotels with meaningful activities to enhance healthy lifestyles with a sense of purpose.”

World Wellness Weekend’s work is made possible by a global network of 117 volunteers around the globe and long-lasting collaboration with leading professional federations like ISPA, IHRSA, CIDESCO, Wellness Tourism Association, Asociacion Americana de Spa, Leading Spas of Canada, Sustainable Spa Association, International Sport Network Organization, International Massage Association, International Sauna Association.

Held at the September equinox each year, World Wellness Weekend will start at sunrise on Friday 16th September in Fiji and run until sunset in until sunset on Sunday 18th September in Hawaii.

To be part of World Wellness Weekend or to view the participating venues go to www.wellmap.org

Images: Soulful Fitness (top) and Jean-Guy de Gabriac (below).