You’ve probably heard a woman who just became a mother say that the gift she wanted most was a weekend at a hotel to sleep throughout her stay. Well, the desire of mothers is becoming a trend.
The so-called “sleep tourism” has been growing in popularity for a few years now, with an increasing number of people (not just mothers) focused on sleeping. Typically, these are individuals with sleep issues who seek tranquility and all the other amenities that a hotel offers to try to improve their sleep habits.
Why has sleep suddenly become such a significant focus for the travel industry?
The global pandemic seems to have played an important role in this. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that 40% of over 2,500 adults who participated in the study reported a decrease in sleep quality since the onset of the pandemic.
Along with this, there is also a greater awareness today about the importance of a good night’s sleep.
“Everything seems to be moving towards longevity, and I think that has really fueled things,” said hypnotherapist and meditation coach Malminder Gill to CNN Travel.
“It’s not a big surprise that sleep is an important aspect of our lives. Lack of sleep can cause many different problems in the body and your mental health… So, anxiety, depression, bad mood, mood swings – all kinds of things, besides fatigue,” he added.
The types of sleep-focused programs or retreats offered by hotels and resorts vary, with establishments approaching the concept in different ways. Some hotels offer longer stays, with seven nights or more, while others provide shorter experiences of two nights specifically designed to help guests achieve “a more serene sleep.”
Services include sleep-inducing meditation recordings, pillow menus with options catering to guests who prefer to sleep on their backs or sides, weighted blanket options, specially developed bedtime tea, and even scented pillows.
But can these short-term experiences really have an impact on a person’s overall sleep?
According to experts, these experiences can help people going through temporary situations but who do not have a condition that needs to be treated by a doctor, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia.
However, everyone who has ever traveled to a nice hotel with the intention of resting knows that the experience can truly be refreshing and restorative, regardless of whether there is a specific program for it or not.
Source: CNN Travel