Sleep: The New Spa Experience

SLEEP IS NOW CONSIDERED as important as diet and exercise; as well as the key to a healthy immune system and aging well. However, many of us are not getting enough of it. With longer working hours, higher stress, and digital stimulation, a good sleep is something some of us can only dream about.

According to the American Sleep Association (ASA), at least half of Americans are not getting enough quality sleep. This is said to affect productivity at work, safety and adds to health issues like heart disease, blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. In addition, the ASA stated over 40 million Americans experience sleep disorders; over 25 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea.

However, it’s important to note that it’s not always about the number of hours we sleep but the quality of our sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults aged 26 to 64 need seven to nine hours of deep sleep to function at their optimum. They also report a 20 to 30-minute nap can improve performance, focus and mood.

The good news: there’s an increasing choice of holistic and natural solutions to help us sleep better.

Sleep programs at leading spas and resorts, some with on-site sleep ambassadors, diagnose and treat through insomniac programs, treatments, and retreats.

One such hotel, The Benjamin Hotel in New York, developed the Rest & Renew program through sleep medicine expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins. Rooms feature blackout curtains, noise machines, sleep masks, ear plugs, a work-down call (instead of a wake-up call) where they advise when to power down your devices, in-room pampering, on-demand meditation, and a 24/7 on-site sleep team.

Likewise, at the hip New York Yelo Spa, snooze inside one of their Yelow Cabs - secluded cabins where you are covered in a soft, cashmere blanket and customized color, aromatherapy and lighting are tailormade to relax and suit your mood.

The following are sleep experiences to help break the cycle of bad sleep habits:

Sleep Treatments & Vacations

REVÍVÕ Resorts, Bali

• Sleep Well Retreat Launched in March this year, the purpose of Sleep Well is to create an environment where guests can relearn how to sleep well again.

“Sleep is one of the most important activities we do each day,” said Wellness Director, Kathy Cook.

She says the key is to create a discipline around eating, going to bed as well as disconnecting from the digital devices. While each program is customized to a client’s needs, those on the Sleep Well retreat are more likely to be prescribed acupuncture, hammock yoga and warm herbal teas, rather than vigorous work-outs and raw juices.

“Guests books in for Sleep Well are usually young people who work late hours or over 40-year-olds going through a stressful time,” said Cook.

Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

• Sleep Enhancement Wellness Program This program is typically booked by those who have had sleep issues for years or have recently developed sleep imbalances. It includes a lifestyle consultation followed by treatments and nutritional prescriptions to assist in alleviating symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, nervousness, anxiety and mood disorders.

Karina Stewart, Kamalaya co-founder and master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), says the program’s intention is to help people establish healthy sleep through naturopathy, TCM, and massage and mindbody balance.

“If we are still are awake beyond 10 p.m., the body reads this as a stressful situation and our adrenals kick in and release cortisol that keep us awake,” says Stewart.

“Of course, we do not expect to cure sleep issues within one week,” she adds, “but rather we focus on a sustainable approach and giving people tools and tips they can incorporate into their daily lives.”

Gwingana Lifestyle Retreat, Australia

• Triple S – Sleep, Sugar and Stress Retreat This four-night retreat includes a consultation, daily wellness seminars, organic meals and mindful spa therapies.

“This program is designed to show guests how the cycle of tiredness, sugary snacks and high stress levels, including digital and caffeine addiction contribute to insomnia,” says Sharon Kolkka, general manager and wellness director, who created the program after noticing how many guests were suffering chronic sleep issues.

Set on almost 500 acres of pristine bush, Gwinganna offers year-round health retreats with Triple S reportedly one of the most popular—especially with men.

Six Senses, Worldwide

• Sleep Programs The Six Senses team and the brand’s yoga master, Dorelal Singh, developed a Yogic Sleep Retreat based on yoga nidra, also known as yogic sleep or sleep with awareness.

“Six Senses have also collaborated with sleep Dr. Michael J Breus to develop a Sleep with Six Senses initiative,” reports Anna Bjurstam, vice president spa and wellness. “This sleep upgrade begins with a consultation with a wellness expert who analyzes the data from your sleep tracker and curates your bespoke program of treatments, meals and activities. A Sleep Ambassador is assigned to fine-tune your villa with optimal room temperature, sleep-enhancing amenities, melatonin-enhancing lighting, organic bedding and optional breath-easy humidifier.”

Six Senses sleep programs are available at several properties around the world.

Sha Wellness Clinic, Spain

• Sleep Recovery Program Set in the foothills of the Sierra Helada mountains and the Mediterranean coast in Spain, SHA is known for its high-level medical wellness including their Sleep Recovery Program. Based on the belief sleep disorders can lead to the onset of heart disease and other diseases, the goal is to find the cause and retrain one how to sleep well again.

Facilitated by doctors and naturopaths, it consists of science-backed medical and naturopathic examinations, lab tests, and a polygraph that tracks how client’s sleep at night. The minimum stay at SHA is seven nights, although 14 is recommended.

Sleep Hotels & Treatments

The Dreamery, New York

• Sleep Pod In the city that never sleeps, pop into the Dreamery in SOHO for a $25 45-minute nap to help you unwind and recharge. Conceived by bedding company Casper, The Dreamery features nine luxury private pods fitted out with mattress, pillows and sheets, cozy sleepwear and amenities.

The target market is reportedly not only Wall Street’s sleep-deprived but will also appeal to stressed out or jet lagged souls who need downtime.

“The Dreamery is an oasis in the city that is all about making sleep and rest a part of your regular wellness routines — similar to how many people prioritize a workout class,” said Co-Founder Neil Parikh.

Sleep Treatmeants

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

• Sleep Support Therapy Devised by Australian brand, Subtle Energies, this 105-minute therapy was launched last year to remedy the rise of sleep deprived guests.

The treatment goes beyond the typical massage and is an interactive experience with a guided meditation, full body massage, and facial marma massage to activate the pineal gland—thought to regulate our circadian cycles. A mini-nasya, a traditional ayurvedic remedy used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, is also administered. Theritual concludes with a savasana, a yoga nidrato show guests first-hand how meditationcan quieten a busy mind.

“We developed this treatment to takeguests into that deep level of rest, relax andrepair,” said Khursheed Irani, global trainingand development director for Subtle Energies.

Four Seasons Sayan, Bali

• Sacred Nap

Offered at the open-air Dharma Shanti yogabale, the 60-minute Sacred Nap is reportedlyone of the most sought-after experiences atthis healing spa. Curated by Ibu Fera, thehotel’s resident wellness mentor, who gotthe inspiration from rocking her own babyto sleep. Quite simply, guests float in a silkhammock suspended from the ceiling as sherecounts the life story of Buddha.

“The unique sensation of gently swayingwithout gravity is like returning to the womb,reigniting the memory of sleeping peacefully,”said Fera. “Many guests report it’s thebest sleep they’ve had in years.”

SLEEEP, Hong Hong

• Sleeep Capsule Hotel

Over a thousand people have reportedlyslept at this designer’s capsule hotel thatopened last December in central SheungWan. Marketed to both young travelers andlocals, you pay by the hour or sleep overnight.The cocoon-like ‘SLPer’ features softorganic bedding, black-out curtains, fresh airsupply and, if asked for it, a sunrise alarm canawaken guests.

“We opened SLEEEP to promote the importance of sleeping and benefits of napping,” said Co-Founder Alex Kot. “While we cannot guarantee quality sleep for every single guest, we have users who say they sleep better than at home, and others who have gotten a rare deep sleep despite their insomnia.”

Written by Judy Chapman