deeper sleep . A bath butler takes about 20 minutes to set up the bath for the guest .
Helping to change attitudes
Woodhouse Spa ’ s Director of Education Melissa Wilson said her spa created a ritual for the day spas that are a part of their national brand as a response to the amount of sleep disruption that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Sometimes , especially in this country , it ’ s almost a badge of honor when you don ’ t sleep ,” Wilson said . “ It ’ s really so unhealthy , both physically and emotionally . Setting that expectation and showing the world how important sleep is means a lot . That ’ s where it was born . This is a necessity that the world needs , this culture needs .”
She points out that bodies and
brains need sleep because so many processes happen during sleep . People aren ’ t designed to get by on three hours of sleep .
Woodhouse created a signature ritual called the Restorative Sleep Massage . It blends essential oils and therapeutic massage . Wilson said they drew upon their research to add important touches to the ritual such as steamed towels and a weighted blanket .
The spa sought a way for guests to take the service home with them and to continue practicing good sleep hygiene after the service . It settled on a digital detox bag , one that lets guests put the phone away at night .
“ It ’ s just such a good reminder to unplug ,” Wilson said .“ With all our treatments : If you get a facial , you ’ re going to take beautiful skincare home ; with the sleep massage , it ’ s really
trying to take a habit home .”
While developing the protocols for the service , Wilson said the spa team consulted with massage therapists throughout the company , brand ambassadors and corporate trainers . As they tested , they made changes such as realizing that one of their essential oils was more uplifting and invigorating than what they were looking for in a sleep ritual .
As they got ready to roll it out , they launched training that focused on the mood each service is intended to elevate .
“ When we train this treatment , it ’ s really explaining the need for sleep , the global lack of sleep and how important it is ,” Wilson said .“ Whenever we go into something with that intention , that ’ s what we get . So , if you go in it just I ’ m going to do a massage [ you won ’ t get the same result ] as if you go in , This is your time to rest . I ’ ve got you . I ’ m going to give you something to help you take that rest home with you . So all our therapists get that kind of training , so they can carry that forward in the treatment .”
Integrating Sleep into Wellness
Chicago ’ s Bian is a membership wellness club that opened just as the pandemic hit in 2020 . Mar Soraparu said she and her other co-founders took a holistic approach to sustaining well-being .
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