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NEWS
GWD one of only 15 Instagram accounts followed by Harry & Meghan
POSTED 07 Aug 2019 . BY Jane Kitchen
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
UK’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have announced the 15 Instagram accounts that they’re following, after they unfollowed everyone and requested people to recommend worthy causes for them to follow.

The royal couple choose 15 worthy charities each month to follow, creating publicity for those causes and sharing their missions with their 9.3 million Instagram followers.

Among the 15 causes selected this month: Global Wellness Day, the nonprofit founded by Belgin Aksoy that offers a range of free health and wellness activities to the public, and which many spas across the world are involved in.

“We are still doing the happy dance,” said Aksoy. “I was hoping so much for this. It’s just amazing to see that all the voluntary work and sleepless nights of the Global Wellness Day family towards our global shared dream of ‘living well’ has also been crowned by the British Royal Family. We look up to their Royal Highness The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for using their platform to shoutout for inspiring organisations and initiatives that work for the things that matter.”

Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual. Global Wellness Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year with free wellness activities across the globe and the idea that “one day you can change your whole life”.

In 2019, the event reached more than 7,000 locations in 150+ countries across six continents – resulting in millions of people getting involved.

In the eight years since its inception, the annual celebration of wellness has grown exponentially and this year saw the involvement of a host of high-profile celebrities, even before the Royals got involved.

These included Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King posting on social media how they were celebrating GWD by taking a morning hike with the dogs.

Aksoy’s dream of celebrating a day dedicated to wellness has now inspired an international network of more than 87 GWD Ambassadors, 25 Key Supporters and four Advisors to organise free wellness events around the globe.

New countries taking part in the event this year included the Cayman Islands, China, Peru, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic.

“The beauty of GWD is that no matter where in the world it is celebrated, the aim is to always take the current wellness level of the community and enhance it with complimentary wellness activities," she said. "GWD events range from having lice cleaned from children’s hair in Myanmar 'No Man’s Land' to yoga with celebrity instructors on the Helipad of Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. GWD is inclusive, embracing and a fit for any community. That’s part of what makes it so magical.”

RELATED STORIES
  Healthy celebrations organised around the world for Global Wellness Day


Saturday, 8 June 2019 will mark the eighth annual Global Wellness Day (GWD), and thousands of locations across the world – including hotel/spa chains, fitness centres, yoga studios, associations, foundations, hospitals, schools and senior living centres, along with governments, businesses and celebrities – will be celebrating GWD with free, non- commercial, health and wellness activities for the public.
  GWD founder Belgin Aksoy appointed president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation


Global Wellness Day founder Belgin Aksoy has been appointed as the new president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation.
  Global Wellness Day 2018 to focus on kids’ wellness


Global Wellness Day – an international celebration offering a range of free health and wellness activities to the public – will be celebrated this year in more than 4,000 locations in 100 countries on 9 June.
  Global Wellness Day launches new project for kids


The nonprofit Global Wellness Day has launched a new project, GWD Kids, with an aim to provide breathing, mindfulness and self-love lessons to young children around the world.
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The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
GWD one of only 15 Instagram accounts followed by Harry & Meghan
POSTED 07 Aug 2019 . BY Jane Kitchen
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
UK’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have announced the 15 Instagram accounts that they’re following, after they unfollowed everyone and requested people to recommend worthy causes for them to follow.

The royal couple choose 15 worthy charities each month to follow, creating publicity for those causes and sharing their missions with their 9.3 million Instagram followers.

Among the 15 causes selected this month: Global Wellness Day, the nonprofit founded by Belgin Aksoy that offers a range of free health and wellness activities to the public, and which many spas across the world are involved in.

“We are still doing the happy dance,” said Aksoy. “I was hoping so much for this. It’s just amazing to see that all the voluntary work and sleepless nights of the Global Wellness Day family towards our global shared dream of ‘living well’ has also been crowned by the British Royal Family. We look up to their Royal Highness The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for using their platform to shoutout for inspiring organisations and initiatives that work for the things that matter.”

Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual. Global Wellness Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year with free wellness activities across the globe and the idea that “one day you can change your whole life”.

In 2019, the event reached more than 7,000 locations in 150+ countries across six continents – resulting in millions of people getting involved.

In the eight years since its inception, the annual celebration of wellness has grown exponentially and this year saw the involvement of a host of high-profile celebrities, even before the Royals got involved.

These included Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King posting on social media how they were celebrating GWD by taking a morning hike with the dogs.

Aksoy’s dream of celebrating a day dedicated to wellness has now inspired an international network of more than 87 GWD Ambassadors, 25 Key Supporters and four Advisors to organise free wellness events around the globe.

New countries taking part in the event this year included the Cayman Islands, China, Peru, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic.

“The beauty of GWD is that no matter where in the world it is celebrated, the aim is to always take the current wellness level of the community and enhance it with complimentary wellness activities," she said. "GWD events range from having lice cleaned from children’s hair in Myanmar 'No Man’s Land' to yoga with celebrity instructors on the Helipad of Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. GWD is inclusive, embracing and a fit for any community. That’s part of what makes it so magical.”

RELATED STORIES
Healthy celebrations organised around the world for Global Wellness Day


Saturday, 8 June 2019 will mark the eighth annual Global Wellness Day (GWD), and thousands of locations across the world – including hotel/spa chains, fitness centres, yoga studios, associations, foundations, hospitals, schools and senior living centres, along with governments, businesses and celebrities – will be celebrating GWD with free, non- commercial, health and wellness activities for the public.
GWD founder Belgin Aksoy appointed president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation


Global Wellness Day founder Belgin Aksoy has been appointed as the new president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation.
Global Wellness Day 2018 to focus on kids’ wellness


Global Wellness Day – an international celebration offering a range of free health and wellness activities to the public – will be celebrated this year in more than 4,000 locations in 100 countries on 9 June.
Global Wellness Day launches new project for kids


The nonprofit Global Wellness Day has launched a new project, GWD Kids, with an aim to provide breathing, mindfulness and self-love lessons to young children around the world.
MORE NEWS
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
Turkey is crowned the best massage nation at world championship
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The Wellness Tourism Association publishes industry framework for ethical and responsible retreats
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HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Knesko Skin

Known for their unique approach to wellness and beauty, Knesko’s products combine ancient healing tr [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS