By Oliver Lewis

Copyright dailystar

Indulging in a lavish wellness retreat might seem like the ultimate mood booster , but recent research suggests there’s a much simpler and cheaper solution. A new trial has shown that just 15 minutes of daily exercise can provide a bigger boost to your mental health than an expensive getaway. The study involved participants from the UK, US, and Australia, all of whom had attended a wellness holiday in the past year. The researchers then asked them to incorporate a 15-minute movement break into their daily routine for just one week, and the results were quite surprising. Before the trial started, volunteers filled out a survey about their retreat experiences and the perceived benefits. They then logged their daily mood throughout the week and completed a final questionnaire at the end. In the trial supervised by Dr Brendon Stubbs from King’s College London and commissioned by ASICS, participants reported a 21% improvement in their mental wellbeing, surpassing the benefits they’d gained from their pricey retreats. The study also found that 71% of participants found daily movement more effective at reducing stress. It lifted the mood of 65%, while 73% reported longer-lasting mental health benefits compared to their wellness holiday. As a result, the sportswear brand recruited actor, writer and wellness advocate Natasha Rothwell as its Everyday Escape Concierge. The campaign aims to demonstrate that you don’t need to spend thousands and travel miles to achieve wellness – and is inviting everyone to discover the power outside their door by moving their bodies, to move their minds. Natasha said: “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.” In addition to the trial, ASICS conducted a global survey of 11,000 people who have been on wellness retreats. From those in the UK surveyed, it found they travel an average of over 1,500km to attend these wellness holidays. Yet 63% said their retreat failed to meet all expectations, with 72% reporting that any wellness benefits faded shortly after returning home. Dr Brendon Stubbs added: “It’s incredible to see the impact 15 minutes of movement can have on mental wellbeing. The 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 per cent 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.”