Spa Executive - December 2021

More documents

Recommendations

Info

RESEARCH ROUNDUP: HOW SPAS BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH Mental health has been a hot topic for some time now. Where do spas fit in? Let’s take a look at how spas benefit mental health. People have been talking about mental health and wellbeing as a wellness trend for a few years now. And in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become more important than ever to recognize and promote spa treatments as a means of addressing issues associated with mental health. Chronic pain, stress, and mental health disorders are common, and there are cross relationships between these conditions. Many studies suggest a considerable association between chronic pain and depression. “In addition to depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, individuals with chronic pain are at risk of other mental health problems.” December 2021 Issue • p. 14
Stress, meanwhile, is also linked to mental health disorders, as well as to negative physiological health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes, and infectious diseases. Research conducted at Carnegie Mellon University found that chronic psychological stress is connected to loss of ability to regulate the inflammatory response, which may promote the development and progression of disease. It stands to reason that if one can find relief from any one condition, there’s a good chance this will positively impact related conditions. We know that spa treatments, including massage, thermal bathing, and sauna can have significant positive impacts on stress and pain. Let’s take a look at the research related to their direct impact on mental health and wellbeing. Massage Massage dates back to at least 3000 BCE in India, where it is said to have been used as an Ayurvedic treatment and believed to restore the body’s natural and physical balance, allowing for natural healing. And the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that massage therapy as an occupation dates back to the 1700s, where forerunners of today’s massage therapists were called “rubbers”. “Rubbers were experts in treating orthopedic problems with manual rubbing and friction.” Also according to the AMTA, massage therapy has multiple mental health benefits. Research has found that massage therapy can reduce anxiety associated with a number of conditions, including cancer, chronic pain and psychiatric disorders. Massage therapy is also correlated with reduced anxiety before and after surgery. More findings include: • Massage therapy can reduce symptoms of depression for individuals with HIV. • Back massage given during chemotherapy was associated with significantly reduced anxiety and acute fatigue. • Military veterans reported significant reductions in anxiety, worry, depression and physical pain after massage, as well as lower levels of tension and irritability. • Massage for nurses during work hours is associated with reduced stress and related symptoms, including headaches, shoulder tension, insomnia, fatigue and muscle and joint pain. A review of studies also found that massage was associated with significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, averaging 31%, and with increases of the neurotransmitters serotonin (28%) and dopamine (31%), both of which contribute to feelings of happiness and wellbeing. The authors wrote, “These studies combined suggest the stress-alleviating effects (decreased cortisol) and the activating effects (increased serotonin and dopamine) of massage therapy on a variety of medical conditions and stressful experiences.” Finally, study subjects who underwent Swedish massage twice a week experienced decreases in cortisol levels and increases in oxytocin levels. Researchers also found slight evidence of increased white blood cell counts. December 2021 Issue • p. 15
Page 1 and 2: Spa Executive For leaders in the bu
Page 3 and 4: Letter from Publisher Dear readers,
Page 5 and 6: People don’t want to work in hosp
Page 7 and 8: SEVEN WELLNESS TRENDS FOR 2022 Cons
Page 9 and 10: Sustainability Sustainability is no
Page 11 and 12: we’ve seen more and more women em
Page 13: For example: Benjamin Donat Spa Dir
Page 17 and 18: Thermal bathing People have been ta
Page 19 and 20: Guest rooms offer sophisticated neu
Page 21: Stand out items on the incredible m
Page 24 and 25: As we look into the new year, I see
Page 26 and 27: FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE’S AMANDA FRAS
Page 28 and 29: What does your job entail? My key r
Page 30 and 31: Are you focusing on new or differen
Page 32 and 33: "We’re seeing more interesting tr
Page 34 and 35: People are seeking wellness more th

Spa Executive - December 2021

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?