If your version of “selfcare” involves jetting off to a yoga retreat in Bali or spending a small fortune on a luxury detox in the hinterland, you’re not alone. Wellness tourism is booming in Australia, with bookings soaring by 228% in 2024. But here’s the kicker: those pricey getaways might not be doing as much for your mind as you think. New research from ASICS suggests that just 15 minutes of daily movement can actually make you feel better than an entire week spent at a wellness retreat. Yes, really.
This World Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October), ASICS is flipping the script on how we think about wellness. Forget the flights, the spa menus, the juice cleanses – the brand’s new “Everyday Escape” campaign proves that the most effective, mood-boosting ritual might be as simple as lacing up your sneakers and stepping outside.
Wellness holidays: worth it, or just a wallet drain?
The idea of a wellness holiday is undeniably appealing. Swap emails for meditation, stress for sea breezes, and emerge a calmer, more centred version of yourself. But according to ASICS’ research, reality doesn’t always match the fantasy. Australians are travelling an average of 2,378km and spending over $2,161 for these retreats – only to find that the effects often disappear as soon as they’re home. In fact, 81% of people reported that the feel-good glow faded the moment they left, and 71% admitted the experience didn’t live up to their expectations at all.
Even more telling? It took nearly three days – a whopping 65 hours – for most people to even feel a mental uplift on their retreat. And for many, the stress of the journey outweighed the benefits. The cost was anxiety-inducing for 41% of travellers, while 22% found long-distance travel itself added to their stress.
Enter the “Everyday Escape”
Here’s where ASICS’ new research throws a delightful curveball: a daily 15-minute movement break – dubbed the “Everyday Escape” – was found to boost participants’ overall mental state 21% more than a wellness holiday. And it doesn’t stop there. A whopping 71% of people said daily movement was more effective at reducing stress than their retreat, while 65% found it boosted their mood more. Most importantly, 73% said the benefits lasted longer.
How is that possible? Because, as the science shows, just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of exercise is enough to trigger a measurable uplift in mood. Movement releases endorphins and reduces cortisol, creating a natural, sustainable feel-good effect – no airfare required.
Wellness without the postcode change
To help spread the message, ASICS has teamed up with actor, writer, and wellness advocate Natasha Rothwell, who’s on a mission to make movement a daily habit, not a luxury. “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,” she says. “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.”
The simplicity is part of the magic. When movement becomes a regular part of your day – something as small as a lunchtime walk, a morning stretch, or even ten minutes of dancing to your favourite playlist – the benefits compound. They build resilience, reduce stress, and boost mood consistently, rather than delivering a fleeting burst of zen once a year.
A new way to escape
Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading exercise and mental health researcher from King’s College London, isn’t surprised by the results. “It’s incredible to see the impact 15 minutes of movement can have on mental wellbeing,” he explains. “Small movement breaks can boost mood and reduce stress more effectively than a wellness holiday. A week away may give a short-term boost, but exercise delivers long-term benefits.”
It’s a refreshing reminder that wellness doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive, or far from home. In fact, the best kind of escape might be hiding in plain sight – in your local park, down your favourite walking track, or even in your living room.
So this World Mental Health Day, consider skipping the long-haul flight and taking a shorter, simpler journey – one that starts with a single step. Because when you move your body, you move your mind. And that’s a trip worth taking.
