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Whereas happiness and well-being are subjective conditions when one feels happy or in a state of well-being, wellness arises from the process of actively choosing options that enable optimal health and well-being. Wellness is related to but distinct from medical health. The two overlap in preventive health care, but medical care focuses primarily on treating and curing illness, while wellness aims to improve on neutral health to achieve optimal health by, most notably, exercising, eating healthy food, and meditating. Wellness is thus multidimensional and holistic in that it has physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions.

Meanwhile, pandemic-induced isolation, fear, uncertainty, and economic hardship are causing a lot of stress and anxiety around the world. A recent United Nations report warns of a global mental health crisis, with current rates of mental distress at 35% in the PRC and 45% in the US. The crisis thus strengthens the case for individuals to take action to strengthen their own physical and mental health.

Decades of rapid economic growth have left many Asians much richer than their forebears. Consequently, they are more aware of the benefits of healthier lifestyles as, most starkly, hunger for more calories gives way to a quest for better nutrition. The rise of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer—as well as maladies caused by worsening pollution in the region— encourages Asians to exercise more, eat better, and make healthier life choices. In addition, Asia’s population is aging, and older populations are vulnerable to chronic diseases, loneliness, and mental health issues.

A focus on wellness promises to bring a more balanced and holistic view of development than does measuring its progress simply as increased income per capita. In principle, many wellness activities such as physical exercise are available to all. In practice, though, the poor are disadvantaged by their relative lack of money and time to devote to wellness, of access to health facilities, and of ready knowledge of nutritious food. These gaps can be narrowed with public investment in wellness infrastructure such as community recreation centers and green parks in poor neighborhoods, as well as health education campaigns.

While 33.2% of Asians regularly participate in recreational physical activity, this is somewhat below the global average of 35.5%. Inactivity rates are generally worse in South Asia and better in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Asia has one of the world’s largest and most diverse physical activity markets, valued at $240 billion in 2018, with sports and active recreation being the most popular activities. That said, many Asians spend little or nothing when pursuing leisure-time physical activity on the streets, at home, or in public parks, plazas, and free sporting facilities. Governments can support participation in physical activity after COVID-19 recedes by investing in venues for sports and physical recreation.

Workplace wellness is still a littleknown concept in Asia, benefiting primarily those who work for multinational corporations or live in the region’s wealthiest countries and cities. Only 5.2% of all employed workers in Asia stand to benefit from some form of workplace wellness program—barely half of the low 9.8% of workers globally. To be effective, a workplace wellness framework must be holistic and focus first on wellness challenges that arise within the workplace. Today, staying well while working from home is emerging as a new priority under widespread COVID-19 restrictions.

Public investment can similarly focus built environments on wellness. For example, governments can invest in infrastructure that encourages physical activity: pedestrian sidewalks, paths and trails, and public parks. Such planning approaches create neighborhoods and communities that are healthier for residents and that enhance their well-being and the quality of life.

As a result, the region has become a global hotspot for the double burden of malnutrition: concurrent undernutrition and obesity. Poor nutrition inflicts significant economic costs. Direct medical costs from obesity, for instance, are estimated to absorb 0.8% regional GDP. Policies can favor healthy foods, as through targeted taxes that drive down demand for sugary drinks. Public education on nutrition can guide consumers toward better diets and minimize the burden on the public health-care system.

As a result, happiness has recently attracted a lot of attention. The rise of positive psychology as a field of enquiry indicates burgeoning academic interest, and Bhutan’s famous gross national happiness index is emblematic of growing interest among policy makers. The World Happiness Report 2019 states that, despite rapid economic growth, self-reported happiness in Asia averages 5.17 on a scale of 0 to 10, substantially lower than in every other region except Africa and the Middle East and the global average of 5.46. Some poorer countries such as Pakistan and the Philippines are relatively happy countries.

Recreational physical therapy, workplace wellness programs, and spa therapy are examples of wellness enterprise geared toward better health outcomes, which are central to wellbeing. Empirical analysis across 146 countries confirms a significant positive association between wellness and happiness. Thus, if annual spending per capita on workplace wellness doubled from the current world average of $11 to $22, happiness would improve by 0.15 units on a scale of 0 to 10.

Wellness tourism expenditure in the region grew by 11% annually from 2015 to 2017, reaching $137 billion as the industry directly employed 3.74 million in India, 1.78 million in the PRC, and 0.53 million in Thailand. In addition, demand for many wellness products, such as local and traditional culinary experiences and goods, can encourage micro or small enterprises to leverage local heritage and indigenous ingredients toward their creation. As many wellness-related occupations, such as complementary medicine practioner, are dominated by women, growth in the wellness economy contributes to female employment. In these ways, the wellness economy can enable inclusive growth and reduce poverty.