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This World Mental Health Day, ASICS invites everyone to take an Everyday Escape, showing you don't need to travel far or spend big to take your body and mind to a happier place.
- ASICS enlists Natasha Rothwell to champion movement as a more accessible and effective alternative to wellness holidays.
- Global study of 11,000 people shows wellness holiday benefits often fade quickly, with travel and costs adding stress.
- In a new Everyday Escape trial, participants who took a simple daily 15-minute movement break reported a 21% greater uplift in their overall mental state compared to their wellness holiday.
- What's more, 71% said daily exercise was more effective at reducing stress than their wellness holiday, while 65% found it more mood-enhancing.
LONDON, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As stress levels rise, wellness travel is booming—but it often comes with long flights, hefty price tags, and treatments that don't always deliver lasting results. This World Mental Health Day, ASICS and its newest wellbeing ambassador, Natasha Rothwell, are inviting the world to take an Everyday Escape – a simple 15 minute movement break - that is proven to transport you to a happier place and deliver more lasting benefits than a week at a wellness retreat.[1]
According to Euromonitor, the global demand for wellness holidays has surged by 33% in the last year [2], with the Global Wellness Institute finding that people spend an average of $1,764 for a week away, 41% more than standard travel.[3] However, new global research by ASICS[4], surveying 11,000 people who recently took a wellness holiday, reveals that whilst people travel on average 1,920km for their wellness holidays[4], they don't always deliver. Two-thirds (67%) said their wellness holiday failed to meet all expectations, and an equal number (67%) reported that any wellness benefits faded as soon as they left the retreat or shortly after returning home. For some, the experience even added to their stress levels, nearly a third (32%) cited cost, and a quarter (25%) said long travel distances were stress-inducing.
In contrast, ASICS' research highlights the transformative power of movement on mental wellbeing, showing that just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise can trigger a measurable mental uplift.[5] In a new Everyday Escape trial, overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs of King's College London, participants who took a simple daily 15-minute movement break reported a 21% greater uplift in their overall mental state compared to their wellness holiday. In fact, 71% said daily movement was more effective at reducing stress, 65% found it more mood-enhancing and 73% experienced longer-lasting mental wellbeing benefits than after their recent wellness holiday.
To help more people to find their happy place through movement, ASICS has enlisted Natasha Rothwell, actor, writer, and wellness advocate, as its Everyday Escape Concierge. Rothwell will share inspiration to help people weave small but meaningful moments of movement into their daily routines, making wellness accessible and affordable for all.
Natasha Rothwell, ASICS' Everyday Escape Concierge, said: "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 across the world to feel better, or you can just step outside and move your body. Your Everyday Escape could be a walk, a stretch, a dance in your kitchen. It's free, it's simple, and it's yours. Wellness shouldn't be a luxury. It should be something we can all access, every day. When we move, we feel better. And that's the kind of escape everyone deserves."
Across the world, ASICS is encouraging people to take an #EverydayEscape and feel the benefits. People who take a 15-minute movement break are encouraged to share their Everyday Escape and help raise funds for mental wellbeing charities around the world.
Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in exercise and mental health from King's College London, said: "It's incredible to see the impact 15 minutes of movement can have on mental wellbeing. The Everyday Escape trial shows that small movement breaks can boost mood and reduce stress more effectively than a wellness holiday. All the participants said they'd be continuing to take movement breaks moving forward, and 81% said they're now prioritising movement for their wellbeing over attending another retreat. A week away may give a short-term boost, but exercise delivers long-term benefits."
Gary Raucher, Head of Global Marketing for ASICS comments: "At ASICS, we believe that you don't need to go far to leave it all behind. That's why we're inviting everyone to take an Everyday Escape, a simple 15-minute movement break, to take their body and mind to a happier place. At ASICS, we've always championed the power of movement, however small, to help people feel better. It's the reason we were founded and why we're called ASICS – an acronym for the Latin 'Anima Sana in Corpore Sano' or 'Sound Mind In A Sound Body'. We hope people will join us on World Mental Health Day and take an Everyday Escape, because when you move your body, you move your mind. "
To take your Everyday Escape, visit: asics.com/everydayescape.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1 The ASICS Everyday Escape Trial ran from the 4th to 18th August 2025, led by Dr Brendon Stubbs of King's College London & University of Vienna. The trial studied 17 people from the UK, US and Australia who had attended a wellness holiday/retreat in the last year. All completed consent forms before taking part.
The Everyday Escape trial (n=17) should be seen as an early proof-of-concept study, reinforced by a global survey of 11,000 people and aligned with external scientific evidence.
2Euromonitor International: Traveller Segmentation 2024. Available here:
Traveler Segmentation: Unlocking Innovation and Value in Wellness Tourism - Euromonitor.com
3 Global Wellness Institute: A Decade of Wellness Tourism. Available here:
https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2024/03/25/a-decade-of-wellness-tourism-first-ever-compilation-of-10-years-of-market-data/
4 The Everyday Escape Research was conducted in August 2025 and explored the experiences and perceptions of those who had taken a wellness holiday/retreat in the past year. 11,000 people were surveyed across 16 markets including the UK, the US, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, France, Germany, UAE, Italy, Brazil, the Netherlands, China, Japan, Indonesia, Spain and Sweden. Each market was nationally representative by age and gender.
5 The ASICS State of Mind score is out of 100, calculated based on the accumulative mean scores across ten cognitive and emotional traits – positive, content, relaxed, focused, composed, resilient, confident, alert, calm, energized.
About ASICS
At ASICS, our five letters have meaning. ASICS is an acronym for the Latin Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or a Sound Mind in a Sound Body. And since our founding in 1949, our purpose has been to help people achieve a Sound Mind in a Sound Body.
Right from the very start, our founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport and movement had the power to lift spirits, project positivity, and propel people and whole communities forward. We still believe this.
And we believe our purpose is more relevant today than ever before. Stress and anxiety are at record levels, yet we know sport and movement can have a positive impact. Which is why we remain focused on supporting more people to move for positive mental health.
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDZZHImE8WM
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2788441/ASICS_1.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2788442/ASICS_2.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2788443/ASICS_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
This World Mental Health Day, ASICS invites everyone to take an Everyday Escape, showing you don't need to travel far or spend big to take your body and mind to a happier place.
- ASICS enlists Natasha Rothwell to champion movement as a more accessible and effective alternative to wellness holidays.
- Global study of 11,000 people shows wellness holiday benefits often fade quickly, with travel and costs adding stress.
- In a new Everyday Escape trial, participants who took a simple daily 15-minute movement break reported a 21% greater uplift in their overall mental state compared to their wellness holiday.
- What's more, 71% said daily exercise was more effective at reducing stress than their wellness holiday, while 65% found it more mood-enhancing.
LONDON, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As stress levels rise, wellness travel is booming—but it often comes with long flights, hefty price tags, and treatments that don't always deliver lasting results. This World Mental Health Day, ASICS and its newest wellbeing ambassador, Natasha Rothwell, are inviting the world to take an Everyday Escape – a simple 15 minute movement break - that is proven to transport you to a happier place and deliver more lasting benefits than a week at a wellness retreat.[1]
According to Euromonitor, the global demand for wellness holidays has surged by 33% in the last year [2], with the Global Wellness Institute finding that people spend an average of $1,764 for a week away, 41% more than standard travel.[3] However, new global research by ASICS[4], surveying 11,000 people who recently took a wellness holiday, reveals that whilst people travel on average 1,920km for their wellness holidays[4], they don't always deliver. Two-thirds (67%) said their wellness holiday failed to meet all expectations, and an equal number (67%) reported that any wellness benefits faded as soon as they left the retreat or shortly after returning home. For some, the experience even added to their stress levels, nearly a third (32%) cited cost, and a quarter (25%) said long travel distances were stress-inducing.
In contrast, ASICS' research highlights the transformative power of movement on mental wellbeing, showing that just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise can trigger a measurable mental uplift.[5] In a new Everyday Escape trial, overseen by Dr Brendon Stubbs of King's College London, participants who took a simple daily 15-minute movement break reported a 21% greater uplift in their overall mental state compared to their wellness holiday. In fact, 71% said daily movement was more effective at reducing stress, 65% found it more mood-enhancing and 73% experienced longer-lasting mental wellbeing benefits than after their recent wellness holiday.
To help more people to find their happy place through movement, ASICS has enlisted Natasha Rothwell, actor, writer, and wellness advocate, as its Everyday Escape Concierge. Rothwell will share inspiration to help people weave small but meaningful moments of movement into their daily routines, making wellness accessible and affordable for all.
Natasha Rothwell, ASICS' Everyday Escape Concierge, said: "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 across the world to feel better, or you can just step outside and move your body. Your Everyday Escape could be a walk, a stretch, a dance in your kitchen. It's free, it's simple, and it's yours. Wellness shouldn't be a luxury. It should be something we can all access, every day. When we move, we feel better. And that's the kind of escape everyone deserves."
Across the world, ASICS is encouraging people to take an #EverydayEscape and feel the benefits. People who take a 15-minute movement break are encouraged to share their Everyday Escape and help raise funds for mental wellbeing charities around the world.
Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in exercise and mental health from King's College London, said: "It's incredible to see the impact 15 minutes of movement can have on mental wellbeing. The Everyday Escape trial shows that small movement breaks can boost mood and reduce stress more effectively than a wellness holiday. All the participants said they'd be continuing to take movement breaks moving forward, and 81% said they're now prioritising movement for their wellbeing over attending another retreat. A week away may give a short-term boost, but exercise delivers long-term benefits."
Gary Raucher, Head of Global Marketing for ASICS comments: "At ASICS, we believe that you don't need to go far to leave it all behind. That's why we're inviting everyone to take an Everyday Escape, a simple 15-minute movement break, to take their body and mind to a happier place. At ASICS, we've always championed the power of movement, however small, to help people feel better. It's the reason we were founded and why we're called ASICS – an acronym for the Latin 'Anima Sana in Corpore Sano' or 'Sound Mind In A Sound Body'. We hope people will join us on World Mental Health Day and take an Everyday Escape, because when you move your body, you move your mind. "
To take your Everyday Escape, visit: asics.com/everydayescape.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1 The ASICS Everyday Escape Trial ran from the 4th to 18th August 2025, led by Dr Brendon Stubbs of King's College London & University of Vienna. The trial studied 17 people from the UK, US and Australia who had attended a wellness holiday/retreat in the last year. All completed consent forms before taking part.
The Everyday Escape trial (n=17) should be seen as an early proof-of-concept study, reinforced by a global survey of 11,000 people and aligned with external scientific evidence.
2Euromonitor International: Traveller Segmentation 2024. Available here:
Traveler Segmentation: Unlocking Innovation and Value in Wellness Tourism - Euromonitor.com
3 Global Wellness Institute: A Decade of Wellness Tourism. Available here:
https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2024/03/25/a-decade-of-wellness-tourism-first-ever-compilation-of-10-years-of-market-data/
4 The Everyday Escape Research was conducted in August 2025 and explored the experiences and perceptions of those who had taken a wellness holiday/retreat in the past year. 11,000 people were surveyed across 16 markets including the UK, the US, Australia, South Africa, Singapore, France, Germany, UAE, Italy, Brazil, the Netherlands, China, Japan, Indonesia, Spain and Sweden. Each market was nationally representative by age and gender.
5 The ASICS State of Mind score is out of 100, calculated based on the accumulative mean scores across ten cognitive and emotional traits – positive, content, relaxed, focused, composed, resilient, confident, alert, calm, energized.
About ASICS
At ASICS, our five letters have meaning. ASICS is an acronym for the Latin Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or a Sound Mind in a Sound Body. And since our founding in 1949, our purpose has been to help people achieve a Sound Mind in a Sound Body.
Right from the very start, our founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport and movement had the power to lift spirits, project positivity, and propel people and whole communities forward. We still believe this.
And we believe our purpose is more relevant today than ever before. Stress and anxiety are at record levels, yet we know sport and movement can have a positive impact. Which is why we remain focused on supporting more people to move for positive mental health.
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDZZHImE8WM
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2788441/ASICS_1.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2788442/ASICS_2.jpg?p=medium600
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2788443/ASICS_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Why Travel for Wellness: ASICS Reveals 15 Minutes of Movement Can Boost Your Mood More Than a Week at a Wellness Retreat
Why Travel for Wellness: ASICS Reveals 15 Minutes of Movement Can Boost Your Mood More Than a Week at a Wellness Retreat
YIWU, China, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. On the afternoon of January 16, the award ceremony for the 2025 Yiwugo's Top 10 Vendors Competition was successfully held at the Expo Center Hotel in Yiwu. Thousands of leading figures from diverse segments of the Yiwu market, together with representatives from industrial belts across the country, gathered to witness this landmark event.
Over the past year, due to their deep engagement with Yiwugo and their exceptional capabilities, Yiwu Gemei Electric Appliance, Xuping Jewelry, Ufree Gangao Warwick, Kemei Electrical Equipment, Zhangweichao Socks Firm, Little Bee Towels, Yiwu Aishang Daily Necessities Factory, Jinhua Siji Lvkang Daily Necessities, Zhejiang Pujiang Pudong No.1 Lock Firm, and Yiwu Hanbang Daily Necessities Firm secured the title of "2025 Yiwugo's Top 10 Vendors".
As an annual gala and a vital barometer of the Yiwu market, the Yiwugo's Top 10 Vendors Competition has been successfully held for 13 consecutive years. Over the past decade, Yiwugo has remained steadfast in its mission to identify and honor benchmark enterprises that spearhead industrial transformation. To date, these efforts have brought to prominence a group of high-quality enterprises distinguished by robust brand strength and an exceptional industry reputation.
In recent years, as Yiwugo's brand visibility and market influence continue to increase, the Competition has drawn growing attention and active participation from merchants across the Yiwu market as well as industrial belts nationwide.
A review of previous Top 10 Vendors lists shows a mix of seasoned players and rising stars. This year is no exception: veterans such as Yiwu Gemei Electric Appliance, Xuping Jewelry, Kemei Electrical Equipment, Zhangweichao Socks Firm, Yiwu Aishang Daily Necessities Factory, and Yiwu Hanbang Daily Necessities Firm demonstrated sustained excellence, while the performances of newcomers like Ufree Gangao Warwick and Zhejiang Pujiang Pudong No.1 Lock Firm were particularly impressive.
"During this year's Competition, many customers reached out to me after seeing the rankings to cheer me on." Operating in District 2 of the Yiwu International Trade City, Ufree Gangao Warwick specializes in hairdressing scissors, high-speed hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, hot air brushes, and other beauty gadgets. Its products perform strongly across Europe, the US, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, ranking among the top in their respective categories on cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.
Founded in 1995, Ufree Gangao Warwick has remained steadfast in its brand-led strategy, with its proprietary brands now registered in more than 100 countries. "We joined Yiwugo the moment it launched. Many customers have discovered our offline store through the platform, which has delivered tangible results in traffic generation, transaction conversion, and brand exposure," said Lin Yuncun, head of Ufree Gangao Warwick. This year marks the company's first debut on the Top 10 Vendors list, an achievement widely regarded as an endorsement from both the market and its customers. Ufree Gangao Warwick will cherish this achievement and use the momentum from the competition to further strengthen its brand influence, laying a solid foundation for advancing its global brand agency strategy in the year ahead.
Zhejiang Pujiang Pudong No.1 Lock Firm also made its first appearance on the list this year. A true "dark horse", the company joined Yiwugo 14 years ago and, after years of steady development, secured an impressive ninth place in its debut ranking.
"We specialize in wire mesh products, including welded wire mesh and fencing systems. Our offerings perform well in regions with strong infrastructure demand, such as Africa and South America. Africa, in particular, has been a core market for us. Through years of focused efforts, our brand has established a solid level of recognition across West African countries," said Guo Xiaolei, head of Zhejiang Pujiang Pudong No.1 Lock Firm. By taking part in the Top 10 Vendors Competition, the company hopes to leverage the event's visibility and Yiwugo's reach to introduce its own brand to a wider overseas audience, expand into new markets, and unlock fresh growth opportunities.
Whether established leaders or first-time entrants, these award-winning vendors not only stand out in sales performance but also set industry benchmarks in branding, digitization, and sustainable development. They embody robust growth momentum, outstanding innovation ability, and extensive market influence, collectively showcasing the resilience and dynamism of the Yiwu market.
Today, the wave of digital trade is rapidly reshaping the industry landscape. Deeply rooted in the market and keenly responsive to its evolution, Yiwugo has consistently positioned innovation and transformation at the heart of its development strategy. Last October, the platform officially launched its in-store live-streaming initiative. Designed to support vendors at various stages of growth, Yiwugo offers multi-channel account setup services—including WeChat Channels, Douyin, and TikTok—enabling vendors to tap into new global trade opportunities.
Going forward, Yiwugo will continue to strengthen innovation, push beyond service boundaries, and expand its business ecosystem. By empowering merchants to fully embrace new digital-trade models, the platform aims to foster faster, closer connections between buyers and sellers. With digital and intelligent technologies, Yiwugo will be able to promote deeper integration of online and offline commerce, accelerate market transformation, and boost industry-wide efficiency.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Award Ceremony for 2025 Yiwugo's Top 10 Vendors Competition Successfully Held
