Global Wellness Day: Inspiring Better Living Year-Round

In need of a day to take care of yourself – physically, mentally, spiritually? Enter Global Wellness Day, a health and wellness movement you can join at participating Opal Spas on June 10, 2023.

There seems to be a day for practically everything: Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (first Saturday in February), Take your Houseplants for a Walk Day (July 27), there’s even International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19). While we doubt these are penned into your personal calendar, there is one that you might very much consider saving the date for. We’re talking about Global Wellness Day, a health and wellness movement (observed the second Saturday every June) that boasts quite an international following, from Azerbaijan to Thailand.

If you haven’t heard of this particular day yet, don’t worry: Opal Spas are happy to make the introduction. That’s because eight of our spa locations in Florida, New York, Maine, and New Hampshire are paying homage to the day (June 10 in 2023) with special complimentary programming open to guests and the public alike. With a mission to help people incorporate wellness pastimes into their lifestyle – not just for the day, but the remaining 364 – the movement is yet another example of how Opal Spas are elevating the wellness experience beyond just traditional massage appointments.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WELLNESS DAY?

Now entering its 12th year, the day was founded by a Turkish spa owner and wellness pioneer, Belgin Aksoy. After personally battling health challenges that included a bout with thyroid cancer, she began a journey in 2004 to seriously – not sporadically – incorporate wellness into her daily lifestyle. By 2012, after her health had completely turned around, she made it her mission to help others find the path to prioritizing their physical, mental, and spiritual health. That same year, Global Wellness Day was born under the banner slogan that “One day can change your whole life.”

While considered a success with thousands of people participating in various wellness activities and events throughout her home country of Turkey, Aksoy had clearly tapped into something the rest of the world was hungry for. In the following years, the event has since become an international movement that’s celebrated in thousands of locations, across more than 150 countries, and on seven continents. Participating ambassadors and partners – such as Opal – observe the day by organizing and offering free wellness activities to the public. Think anything and everything, from yoga and Pilates classes to laughter therapy sessions and sound healing baths to mental health assessments and nutrition seminars.

THE 2023 THEME: DANCE & MOVEMENT

Each year, a different theme is selected to serve as a guideline for the day’s activities and events. For instance, in 2020, the theme “Nourishing Wellness” focused on the importance of nourishing our bodies, minds, and souls. And in 2021, the theme of “Protecting Mental Wellness,” was especially relevant given the global pandemic and its impact on mental health.

For Global Wellness Day 2023, the theme, titled “#DanceMagenta” (magenta being the movement’s branded color), is centered around championing the benefits of regular dance and movement. To that end, activity highlights include – but are not limited to – dance workshops, flash mobs, contemporary dance for kids, and more.

WHAT OPAL SPAS ARE OFFERING

As for what’s on the Global Wellness Day menu at participating Opal Spas, here’s a sneak peek:

Zumba Classes and Meditation Exercises

The classic cardio-meets-Latin-inspired-dance workout craze will be led by professional instructors, while unique meditation exercises encourage attendees to incorporate dance into their mindfulness practice. The latter includes refreshing Kerstin Florian Neroli Water for guests to mist on their face and body for deeper relaxation and focus. 

Binaural/Theta Wave Therapy

Fifteen-minute sessions allow guests to test drive and experience the benefits of sound wave and vibration therapy, systems that are built into the zero-gravity Oakwork Britta beds custom-designed for Opal spas.

Recovery, Facial Exercise, and Social Media Stations

A series of stations where attendees can enjoy a chair massage, accompanied by Theraguns massage devices and Therabody jet boots; a facial exercise session with NuFace, promoting skin health and wellness through gentle facial massage techniques; and snap photos for social, showcasing their dance moves alongside Global Wellness Day props.

WHY THE MOVEMENT FITS INTO THE TRANSFORMED SPA EXPERIENCE

If you haven’t been to an Opal Spa in a little while, expect to see some exciting changes, including newly curated spa menus centered around the holistic healing of Kerstin Florian products. Beyond treatments, however, refreshed spaces are also in the works. Utilizing what’s known as biophilic design – the concept of bringing the outdoors in – the goal is to engage all five senses in nature-inspired smells, sights, sounds, tastes, and textures to open the body to healing. Self-guided experiences are also being brought into play, including no-touch systems that use sound, vibration, or color therapy. It’s all part of a larger initiative to bake wellness into the entire spa experience, from the moment you step into the space and to linger well beyond your stay.