The 13th annual celebration of Global Wellness Day (GWD) is slated to take place on Saturday, June 8, across the globe. The day is marked with a host of complimentary activities with the theme #MagentaNature, which symbolizes a journey of reconnection with nature. Activities range from art and music therapy for expectant mothers to volunteer firefighters educating the community about nature to the Blackfeet Tribe sharing its indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge. GWD advocates for a comprehensive approach to wellbeing.
“Connecting with nature is not just an activity; it’s a way of thinking,” says Global Wellness Day founder Belgin Aksoy. “Those who choose to live well come to realize that connecting with nature is also a way of life. Global Wellness Day is not just a celebration; it is a call to action, an invitation for individuals to actively participate in their own wellbeing and contribute to a harmonious relationship with the world around us. Together, let us embark on this transformative journey towards a healthier, more connected, and nature-centric existence with Magenta Nature.”
More than 120 Global Wellness Day ambassadors, key supporters, and volunteers invite people of all ages to live a life in unity with nature, bringing together four pillars of #MagentaNature philosophy to outline a transformative action plan, involving both the tangible and intangible dimensions of connecting with nature:
Eat Natural: Immerse yourself in the nourishing embrace of natural foods. Let your senses revel in the vibrant colors and flavors that the Earth graciously offers. Make every meal a celebration of the diverse, wholesome gifts nature provides.
Be in Nature: Step into the outdoors. Whether it is a majestic forest, a serene park, or a quiet corner of your garden, allow yourself to be surrounded by nature. Let the sun kiss your skin, breathe in the crisp air, and let nature’s sounds become the soundtrack to your daily life.
Protect Nature: Become a guardian of the environment. Take conscious steps to reduce your ecological footprint. Embrace sustainable practices, recycle, and contribute to the wellbeing of the planet. By protecting nature, you preserve the sanctity of our shared home for generations to come.
Be the Nature (Spiritual): Engage in spiritual practices that foster a deep connection with the natural world. Whether through meditation, mindful contemplation, or simply taking moments of stillness in a natural setting, allow your spirit to intertwine with the essence of the Earth. Recognize that you are not separate from nature but an integral part of its grand tapestry.
Among many other global brands, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will be offering various activities across their hotels, while Accor Hotels will be honoring GWD with its luxury and premium hotel brands by educating and encouraging colleagues and guests to celebrate the day around the world. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts will be celebrating GWD globally at their properties with events such as helipad yoga in Los Angeles with one of the top Alo Yoga Ambassadors, followed by a healthy lunch. IHG Hotels & Resortswill be offering outdoor wellness activities across their portfolio of properties around the world. Thailand’s leading destination spa, Chiva-Som, will host a series of wellness activities in collaboration with Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar, as well as a Medical Aid visit to “No Man’s Land” at the border of Thailand and Myanmar with GWD Founder, Belgin Aksoy.
Below are some of the highlighted events planned for GWD 2024 celebrations:
Argentina: Municipality of Villa Elisa officially recognizes GWD and pledges to stay committed to spreading wellness throughout the city with a range of outdoor activities. Additionally, the iconic “Monumento Al Sembrador” will be illuminated in magenta to honor GWD.
Bahrain: Address Beach Resort Bahrain will host a meditative yoga session followed by a series of expert-led workshops on topics such as gut health, naturopathic medicine, health recipes, treatments, and more.
Belgium: The GWD Belgium team will be presenting a spectrum of #MagentaNature themed activities such as fruit and vegetable juice workshops, tranquil forest bathing, mindful movement sessions, and sustainable cooking workshops that truly underscore Belgium’s dedication to nurturing holistic wellbeing and vitality within its communities.
Bhutan: The only country in the world to measure Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan is celebrating GWD in collaboration with five Six Senses Hotels & Resorts focusing on activities such as Bhutanese healing practices, mountain meditation, riverside yoga, community clean up, tree planting, tree-hugging, and much more.
Brazil: Collaborating with the Cultural Forest Institute (CFI), active engagement in recovery and rebuilding efforts, providing essential relief to millions displaced from the devastating floods will be underway. In alignment with the “Do a good deed” step of GWD, team remains committed to promoting wellbeing in all its forms.
Cameroon: Cameroon’s inaugural GWD celebrations will include a Sustainable Cooking Challenge featuring locally sourced ingredients, a Flower Planting Campaign fostering community engagement, Nature-Inspired Yoga Philosophy Talks led by experts, and an Outdoor Yoga Retreat set in a scenic location.
France: The New Well Festival in Paris will offer participants yin yoga sessions. Therapists of the Resalib network will celebrate the day across the country while wellness entrepreneur Élodie Garamond is set to host transformative events at Chapitre Six Hotels.
Honduras: In collaboration with Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa, participants can enjoy Slow Island Wake-Up Yoga, a Beach Body Pump Class, guided snorkeling, “Open Your Heart” Meditation, and full moon yoga with medicine sound therapy. They can also contribute to coastal ecosystem preservation through a beach clean-up.
Hong Kong: GWD Hong Kong partners with Pirata Group, known for its 28 restaurant venues across Hong Kong and Shanghai, offering wellness and nature activities including meditation, yoga, food workshops, and wellness talks, all under the #MagentaNature theme.
Ireland: #MagentaNature themed events featuring inner connection workshops in healthcare facilities, beach clean-up activities in collaboration with The Clean Coasts program, meditation, plant-based cooking, and much more at Brigit’s Gardens are underway to underline the importance of wellness, mindfulness, and connection to nature.
Italy: A thrilling day of #MagentaNature features forest fitness, trekking, nature photography, introspective walks, forest cleanup, and sustainability workshops. Italian Hospitality Collection also joins the celebrations with fitness walks, thermal water rituals, green yoga, and seminars on thermal water’s healing properties.
Japan: Celebrations in Japan will feature activities such as a beach cleanup with Hotel Ocean, a walking tour of coral cultivation with 35 Coffee, beach yoga with Okinawa Tourist Company, a food recycling program workshop with NPO Food Bank, farm-to-table talks with Farm Nakamura, nature walk with dogs, a tree-growing workshop for elementary school students among many others that embrace the theme #MagentaNature.
Malaysia: Offering a dynamic day for the body, mind and soul, the GWD Malaysia celebration activities include breathwork, reiki, sound therapy, mindful meditation, Qigong, sunset Yin Yoga, art therapy, and “Grow Your Own Food” workshop.
Montenegro: Three unique programs for GWD will be available, catering to different community segments: 1) Expectant Mothers: offering prenatal yoga, art, and music therapy in a natural setting. 2) Children: kid’s yoga, family wellness games, and art workshops. 3) Healthy Aging: featuring seminars, nutritional workshops, and plant-based cooking demos.
Morocco: In partnership with NGOs like “Amis des écoles,” “Les Etoiles de Jamaa El Fna,” “Tamounte Ourigane,” and “Fiers et Forts” healthy nutrition workshops in schools, outdoor activities, traditional music performances, and sustainability-focused workshops will be offered. Additionally, celebrations by venues such as Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, Pullman Palmeraie Resort & Spa, Dance Attitude, and more will be hosted.
New Zealand: 10 nationwide organizations, ranging from health and wellness centers to thermal resorts and dance studios will host GWD celebration events that include activities such as guided meditations, yoga sessions, thermal pool soaks with scenic views, Latin dance classes, and public sauna and steam experiences at thermal resorts.
Pakistan: A rich program of nature-inspired activities, including walks and outdoor workouts, meditation sessions, breathwork, and sound therapy have been organized to mark Pakistan’s inaugural GWD celebration. Educational seminars will also highlight sustainable practices, empowering participants to make eco-conscious choices.
Portugal: Sunrise yoga session using sustainable Portuguese cork mats will be held in front of the country’s largest cork tree in Sintra. Sunset yoga in Alentejo’s oak cork forests will follow, and Luz Aura Yoga & Wellness Studio in the Algarve region will host additional events. Escola B+S Bispo D. Manuel Ferreira Cabral and Santana Volunteer Firefighters will educate children and adults on protecting nature and rescuing people during forest fires on Madeira Island.
Qatar: A global leader in sustainable development, Qatar is committed to environmental preservation. Healthy cooking demonstrations, organic juice stations, smoothie workshops, beach strolls, environmental initiatives like beach cleanups, tree planting, along with kid’s nature art and singing bowl meditations will embrace the #MagentaNature theme.
Serbia: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Fruške Terme will host a grand outdoor event in its nature park, while Mount Zlatibor, Hotel Mona, Hotel Tornik, Institut for Obesity Čigota, NGO Zlatibor Walking, and Gold Gondola Zlatibor will celebrate with mountain hikes, health checkups, and wellness seminars. Koviljaca Spa, Hotel Metropol Palace Belgrade, and WAPF Academy Belgrade will also offer activities aligned with the #MagentaNature theme.
South Africa: Participants can enjoy outdoor exercises, yoga in nature, beach walks, gardening, and other nature-inspired activities. A collaborative beach walk with the City of Cape Town and Women in Tourism CT is also planned to promote Global Wellness Day and community engagement.
South Korea: Sponsored by the Gangwon-do Provincial Government, GWD celebrations will feature serene forest meditation, aqua Zumba, forest trekking, and therapeutic color and sound therapy sessions. Participants can also experience a unique Gyrokinesis session, combining movement and mindfulness on balance chairs.
Spain/Ibiza: Outdoor beauty workshops by Ayuna – Less is Beauty, that blends mental beauty with nature will help transform routines. In Ibiza, sponsored by Hard Rock Ibiza, the celebrations will include Zumba with Alberto Pérez, creator of Zumba; a healthy break; XT29 functional training with Jessica Exposito; and relaxing stretching exercises on the beach.
St. Barth’s: The inaugural GWD celebrations in St. Barth’s in partnership with Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth amid the island’s lush beauty will feature invigorating running and circuit training, followed by tranquil beach stretching as well as wellness seminars on holistic wellbeing, complemented by healthy snacks.
Sweden: Inviting communities to embrace nature and to connect with their surroundings, GWD celebrations include yoga, mindfulness, “Run for Wellness” challenges, forest bathing and park cleanup drives. This year, Hotel J celebrates GWD with complimentary Pilates, breathwork, and a sustainable beauty masterclass amid beautiful natural scenery.
Switzerland: Renowned brands and venues including Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Spa Mont Blanc, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Glion Institute, and Hôpital de la Tour, among others, will offer wellness activities such as cardio classes, morning stretching, nutritious breakfasts, and nature walks.
Taiwan: Celebration events across the island will take place starting with yoga in Taipei Park followed by a daylong retreat in central Taiwan, and finishing up at Eastern Taiwan, where attendees can indulge in diverse wellbeing experiences. Additionally, Taiwan extends its celebrations throughout June with International Wellness and Yoga Festival.
Thailand: Chiva-Som will organizewellness activities alongside a medical mission to ‘No Man’s Land’ at the Thailand-Myanmar border. EKM6 will host Bangkok’s main GWD celebrations while Capella Bangkok, Sindhorn Kempinski, Pullman G, Four Seasons in Chiang Mai & Bangkok, The Standard Bangkok, Santiburi, Anantara Siam, and others will participate with activities like beach cleaning, healthy breakfasts, sunrise meditation, healthy cooking demos, and journaling sessions.
Türkiye: Six Senses Kocataş Mansions and Kaplankaya, Allium Bodrum Resort & Spa, Mandarin Oriental Istanbul and Bodrum, Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Bosphorus and Sultanahmet, Hyatt Istanbul Bomonti, Magna, Capitol Shopping Mall, Richmond Hotels, sahibinden.com, Dose Istanbul, Rose Beach Garden – Luxury Villas, Acı Schools, and Yuvam Dünya NGOwill celebrate GWD with activities such as outdoor meditations, sound baths, Gua Sha beauty sessions, digital wellness escapes, beach yoga, cooking workshops, sustainable cookie tasting, sunset Pilates, forest bathing, hikes, labyrinth walks, and more.
UAE: Celebrating its fifth Global Wellness Day with venues like St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Al Qasr Dubai, Mandarin Oriental Emirates, Bodytree Wellness Studio, MIZA, and The Bridge Wellness Hub, the UAE will host an array of activities including seminars by The Sophia Collective and UAE HealthCoaches, sound healing, mindfulness practices, and invigorating movement sessions.
United States: In Whitefish, Montana The Wave and Collier Concepts will host the Blackfeet Tribe, who will share their indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), bringing ancient wisdom forward. Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills will once again kick off the celebrations with a yoga session on the Helipad led by a top Alo Yoga Ambassador, followed by a healthy lunch and a series of wellness activities. The Florida Spa Association will unite partner spas across Florida to offer complimentary yoga sessions and meditation exercises rooted in nature, providing a rejuvenating experience for participants. The Carillon Miami Beach Hotel will host a day filled with activities designed to nourish the body and soul. In New York, ambassadors will organize breathwork, meditation, and forest bathing sessions in Central Park, while others will collaborate with the New York State Department fostering wellness initiatives and community engagement. Mobile Parks and Recreation Department of Mobile, Alabama, will be organizing a community event highlighting the healing effects of a nature-centric lifestyle at the Spanish Plaza.
Uzbekistan: In collaboration with Green Hills Resort, nestled in a picturesque mountainous area known for its breathtaking beauty and healing air, the GWD celebrations include farm-to-table festivities, cooking workshops, a tree-planting campaign, outdoor yoga, traditional tea ceremonies, yoga philosophy talks, and nature meditation.
Vietnam: Making a significant impact on local communities nationwide, Global Wellness Day will be celebrated with activities such as invigorating hikes, tandem cycling, nature art workshops for kids, yoga retreats, environmental cleanup campaigns, guided walks, healthy cooking contests, and workshops on local flora and fauna.
Look for the hashtag #globalwellnessday and #MagentaNatureto follow what happens around the globe on June 8.
