Spas promote sleep health

IN OUR fast-paced world, we try to squeeze in too much in a day that we lose sight of the importance of getting enough sleep. Healthy sleep is just as important as good nutrition and exercise that is essential to our well-being for optimal daily performance both mentally and physically.

Lack of sleep is a major health concern, it can adversely affect the brain and cognitive function. Other effects of sleep deprivation include migraines, chronic pains and the obvious tie-in to obesity as chronic sleepiness makes rigorous physical activities unlikely. Not to mention being cranky and irritable.

We all assume that sleeping just comes naturally. Not so for many.

According to the survey published by Spa Finder: 80 percent of the people surveyed have trouble sleeping; Only 20 percent said they get eight hours of sleep; 27 percent, six hours or less; and 12 percent, five hours or less.

It is disturbing to note that 52 percent of the respondents even use prescribed and/or over-the-counter sleeping pills.

When asked to name the primary reason for their sleep problems, the largest bloc of respondents cited stress. Among other reasons are poor sleep habits and busy schedule.

Spa to go

Dr. Russell Sanna, Ph. D, executive director of Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, commends Susie Ellis, president of Spa Finder, a United States-based marketing and media company, together with the spa industry for focusing on the sleep health issue.

With so many people yearning to learn how to sleep well, the spa has become a place to go. The offerings range from sleep-inducing massages to New Age options like dream analysis and sleep yoga at Connecticut’s Mayflower Inn to insomnia relief programs at Chiva Som destination spa in Hua Hin Thailand that offers two sleep programs.

The “Informaltional” program addresses minor sleeping problems and includes in-depth education, organic supplements, sleep hygiene and relaxation programs. The more comprehensive Natural Insomniac Treatment program (part of the spa’s anti-aging focus) includes a three-month melatonin to restore sleep-awake cycle. TCM and acupuncture are also offered for sleep improvement.

Even hotel spas are actively promoting sleep health for their guests both during their stay and when they return home with soothing aromatherapy, feather beds, meditation/breathing CDs and other in-room offerings.

Day spas, on the other hand, are providing post-treatment relaxation rooms for clients to catch that much needed 20-minute nap after a massage session.

As spas move toward health and wellness and away from the idea of just pampering, expect sleep therapy to become not just a trend but something that’s here to stay.