WELLNESS INTERIOR DESIGN

When we hear the term ‘wellness’, we generally think of it referring to lifestyle and relaxing spa therapies. But the truth is, that this term includes designing wellness within the four walls of our homes, offices and of course our spas.

We spend 56% of our lives at work, and 90% of our lives indoors. And with indoor air quality being five times more polluted than outdoor air, we can quickly begin to see why ‘sick building syndrome’, was officially recognized by the World Health Organization in 1986. Diseases that could be linked to the home or spa, include allergies, fatigue, asthma, hay fever and recurrent colds and flus.

The current challenge within the spa industry is that so many spas lack proper ventilation or even windows, and coupled with walking in with shoes, shedding layers of skin and emotion within the treatment room, its possible that our spas could be far more physically and energetically toxic than most homes and offices.

So how do we design wellness spaces?

In hunter-gatherer days, indigenous people assessed the life and prosperity of land by observing plants and animals, so as to avoid ‘sickness country’. In modern times, a detailed ‘building biology’ checklist can be used when choosing the best site for your wellness space, even if it’s in an urban environment. 

Setting a clear intention for how your spa will serve as a wellness destination, will then inform the design process, whereby a number of elements can be considered, from geopathic stress to feng shui principles to air purity and ventilation, use of natural light, electrical wiring, green walls and heating and cooling choices. 

The next step in wellness design also considers the health of the planet, by using sustainably sourced and/or recycled materials in the initial construction of a spa. These ethical choices also impact on our wellbeing, as new buildings ‘off gas’ high levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from treated woods, insulation, gyprock, paints, glues and sealants. Building materials may also contain radioactive nuclides, particularly cement, bricks and stone.

Wellness design then extends into the selection of finishes and fixtures, which include floors, carpets, upholstery padding, furniture, fabrics and built in cabinetry, all of which, also ‘off gas’ high levels of VOCs. Therefore being the major cause of poor indoor air quality.

If building a new spa is just not on the financial agenda right now, then there’s still many ways that wellness can be implemented within an existing spa. And the points spoken of below, also apply to the final elements crucial to a new spa design.

Air Purity & Ventilation – Many spas are designed without windows, and hence air ventilation is absent. There are a number of air purifiers on the market. However the humble household plant is the most effective air purifier, because plants balance humidity levels, pull contaminants out of the air, reduce airborne moulds and bacteria, and absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Dust – The primary source of dust is human skin cells along with walking inside with shoes. Consider a guest journey that has clients and staff leave their shoes at the door. Avoid fabric curtains and too many fabric furnishings. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean surfaces and floors. Choose cushions and bedding made from natural fibers and wash regularly in hot water and then air dry in the sun. And use a vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter and motorized head.

Mould – Is extremely toxic and must be removed at all costs, as this will be affecting the health of you and your team. You might even have to relocate your business due to the serious health consequences. In the meantime, clean with vinegar. 

Water Filters – These are not a luxury, but rather an absolute necessity. Ensure you are drinking pure water and equally serving pure water to guests.

Electro Magnetic Frequencies - Exist wherever there is electricity and can negatively impact on our health and the ability to relax. There are a number of considerations when choosing a site and then when building, but in terms of an existing spa, its important to remove cordless phones and wifi as well as turn off all power points when appliances are not in use.

Cleaning Chemicals – Affect the health of our space, as well as the planet. In leading the way of wellness, its imperative that spas use natural cleaning products, eucalyptus oil and essential oils as air fresheners. If possible, source an eco-laundry service for the laundering of towels, which come into direct contact with the skin.

Cooling & Heating – Air conditioners need to be maintained so as to not become a health hazard and not all heating is created equal and needs to be considered. 

Candles – While there is nothing nicer than the gentle flicker of a candle, the truth is that most candles (unless they are made from beeswax or soy) are actually filling your space with carcinogenic chemicals, which can cause cancer and affect the central nervous system. Buy good quality candles or use rechargeable candles.

Showers & Chlorine – When showering in warm water, our guests are exposed to high levels of chlorine. Consider a Vitamin C showerhead filter, which reduces chlorine by 99% and offers your spa a USWP (unique wellness selling point).

Incense – There is nothing more spiritually evocative than the smell of incense, however it does cause air pollution and it is recommended to stop using incense.

Smudging Ceremony - Natives believe the spirits of sacred plants such as sage, are called to drive away negative energy and restore the balance to a particular space. And quite surprisingly a study in the Journal Ethnopharmacology found that the process of ‘smudging’ a space for one hour caused a 94 percent reduction in the bacterial count of the room. And the energetic clearing will increase the vibration.

In summary, as the spa industry leads the way in wellness, it’s important that we begin to consider taking a ‘whole’ approach to wellness and truly caring for our clients, our selves and our teams, through the way we design our spaces. 

SOUL NOURISHMENT

While we usually only associate food with nourishing ourselves, food is actually only one part of the equation and that's because we are multi-dimensional beings that need to be nurtured and nourished on many different levels. So here is an idea that's “fulfilling” rather than “filling” that was shared with me by a life coach called Janelle Fletcher.

She calls it the nourishment menu and its a circle divided into 8 segments which look like pieces of a pie. It contains 8 things that fill my soul and that I am committed to giving myself either daily or at least weekly – because these are the things that give me more energy as opposed to draining me of my energy or chi. My nourishment menu tops me up, it is relaxing, rejuvenating and replenishing. And after all isn't that what soul nourishment is truly about? 

Your “nourishment” will be different to mine so make it your own. It must align with you and what fulfills YOU - whether that be creative pursuits, walks in the rain, pottering in the garden, snuggling up with a good read, chatting to God, doing something adventurous, planning a trip, ringing a friend, playing loud music, dancing like a maniac or spending time in silence. Whatever your flavour, attend to your soul and quite often the rest will follow. You will be much more inclined to nourish and nurture yourself with whole living foods that make you feel alive and vital. And you will also be much more inclined to nourish your need to breath, move and sweat. All in all, attending to our souls has a lot of positive side effects. 

DAY SPA STYLING

The aesthetic appeal of your Spa is crucial, particularly as a very large percentage of Spa goers report that a spa’s facilities is their primary consideration when choosing a spa. And this makes sense. After all, we often choose a restaurant based on its ambience before we even look at the menu. And why would the spa space be any different? In fact, its even more important.

A spa needs to represent an escape from the world of noise and busy, offering an inviting, ambient, clean and beautiful sanctuary. Regrettably, delivering on this ideal picture can often be a challenge without a well-designed facility, the proper equipment and an organized space. This can then further impact on a seamless guest journey as the therapist may be stressed, the noise factor might be high and the tension within the spa can be palpable. At the business level this can slow down efficient work practice, increase wage costs, limit retail and rebooking, lower staff morale and affect guest satisfaction. However, there are many solutions that are easily achievable.

If your spa is looking a little tired, it’s the little things you add to the mix that can really create an impact. Fresh flowers, new throw cushions, artworks, a rug, ornaments, gorgeous candle votives, clever merchandising and a host of other things. Attention to detail is everything in the spa world, but if you can achieve a harmonious and cohesive balance with your styling elements the guest journey is elevated to a whole new level. Because the effect a space has on the way we feel combined with an amazing treatment is truly the style icing on the cake. 

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

When it comes to operational excellence the 'devil is in the detail' and it's the touch points considered at every turn that transform the spa experience from good to great and beyond. There is no space or service that demands more attention to detail and optimal operational flow than a spa. A guest enters the space in anticipation of a beautiful spa journey, where we offer an escape from the world of busy, where there are fine-tuned service details with a difference and where they are met by a polished and personable spa therapist. Our ability to deliver on this expectation comes down to how well we planned the original spa design. And if we don't have the luxury of working within a purpose built facility then some creative re-organisation may be required. 

Its often at the busiest times in a spa that the cracks begin to appear. There may not be enough seating in the relaxation room, the change rooms may be crowded, the reception area might be mayhem and lets not mention the probable stress going on behind the scenes. Its in these instances that an organised space and strong operational procedures can save the day. 

Over the years I have continually heard therapists complain when they feel their spa is not organised. Lack of operational flow puts so much more pressure on everyone and unfortunately the tension can hang in the air like a dark cloud. Its quite natural for staff to want to work in a spa that offers structure, standard operating procedures, a well defined guest journey, ongoing training and the equipment they need. It makes their work life so much easier, the standards are set and they can hold their heads high with pride. Who would have thought operational excellence would guarantee good staff morale? 

The win-win effect of an excellent operation is happy staff, delighted clients and a healthy business turnover. The spa space and the staff can be fully utilised because you are now running everything like clockwork. This cuts wage costs and increases the amount of bookings you can accept. And not only that, your retail sales can soar because your well defined guest consultation and retail process is set up to succeed. Every touch point has been carefully considered to deliver a seamless experience that can take your guest to a whole new level of 'let go' and in this day and age that is priceless.

CULINARY HOTEL WELLNESS

The greatest challenge when travelling a lot, particularly for work, is the ability to find healthy food. Its quite amazing how hard it can be to find basic vegetables on a menu and it can be quite tiresome always having to ask for a special combination of food items you have located within the fine print of the menu. With this in mind, its so very important for hotels and resorts to start accommodating the wellness traveller, who seeks to maintain healthy habits whilst on the road. If your chef is resistant to this idea then it may be necessary to bring in another consulting chef who specialises in whole foods and other quirky but popular concepts. I often see menu's that 'try' to be healthy but there are holes throughout their entire food philosophy. Many restaurants would consider a potato gnocchi covered in cream and without the bacon to be the perfect vegetarian option, whilst missing the point that vegetarians, by definition of the very term, prefer to eat a diet that is high in vegetables. And therefore this attempt at considering the vegetarian is seen as a lack of true care and integrity to this particular population. Having said that, the paleo food philosophy, which is quite abuzz at the moment, can also be missed through a menu that is heavily laden with carbohydrates and still missing the necessary quotient of vegetables. 

So then how does a restaurant within a hotel or resort create the ideal menu? And better still, how does this department link in to the spa so as to capture more clients and create a cohesive theme of wellness?  

Firstly, I think its important to create a menu that considers food combining, the paleo diet, ayurvedic philosophies and raw foods. The philosophy also needs to be based on organic, seasonal, whole foods that are free from dairy, gluten and sugar. Then link this food philosophy back to the spa and wellness concept in the following ways:

Create a ‘culinary wellness menu’ for each restaurant that captures the essence of that particular food theme, but in a healthy way. For example: your Italian restaurant might offer zucchini pasta, spelt pizza with cashew nut cheese, dairy and sugar free tiramisu. Your Asian inspired restaurant might offer an array of paleo inspired recipes and vegetarian delights. 

Add a stand alone ‘spa and wellness’ breakfast buffet that offers fresh fruits, activated nuts, gluten free muesli and granola, quinoa porridge, sheep and goat yoghurt, almond and rice milk, organic poached and scrambled eggs, home made beans, wilted spinach, sprouted and gluten free breads, vegetarian fritters, buckwheat pancakes and super food smoothies to name a few. 

Add ‘spa and wellness’ foods to any other buffets that are hosted in your restaurants. Create a ‘healthy picnic hamper’ that might be enjoyed as part of a spa package or chosen by guests going out for a full day excursion. 

Possible wording for your culinary spa menu might be... Spa & Wellness Menu, Spa Delights, Delicious Detox, Raw Beauty, Organic Gourmet, Culinary Creations, Health Bar, Wellness Weaver, Health Haven, Spa Bites, Wellness Delights or Organic Gourmet. The list is endless. 

The intention here is to continually bring attention to your spa through the food menu’s, to position your hotel as a leader in wellness tourism and to most importantly, take care of guests with specialised dietary needs and preferences. At the end of the day, if our guests are happy, our business will also show a very happy profit.

RESPONSIBLE SKINCARE

If we are truly considering wellness as a way of life and business practice, then its time to consider the skincare brands we use and promote. The question begging attention is two fold. Is your skincare good for you and the planet? Does your brand support fair trade, organic farming and sustainable practices? And is it living and breathing an ecological philosophy both in and out of the bottle? I think its fair to say that few spa brands can actually fly this flag and yet if we are truly espousing an integral wellness philosophy its a flag worth flying.

Although natural and organic cosmetics occupy less than 5% of the global cosmetic market place, there are sizable opportunities for growth in natural cosmetics if the industry can transition from “product focus” to “customer focus”. We can hardly say we are customer focused if the brand we align with is a chemical concoction that promises eternal youth, whilst actually hosting numerous side effects to ones health. In fact, one recent report stated that the average woman's daily grooming and make-up routine consists of a staggering 515 different synthetic chemicals. All of these being fed to the skin, our largest living breathing organ, on a daily basis. 

If you want to protect yourself and your clients from chemical overload and reduce your overall cosmetics usage; switch to natural or organic products, and read the labels on your beauty and grooming products as if they were nutritional food labels, because they actually are. There are a number of spa brands on the market that have true integrity and one such brand, which I proudly represent is Amala.

The name Amala has a few meanings, including; “the most pure.” (sanskrit), “revered mother.” (tibetan) and “love her.” (in spanish and italian). The company sources 28 plant ingredients from 14 fair trade farms around the world, from Peru to Turkey to Egypt to India. Amala has longstanding partnerships with organic growers who provide full traceability of the quality and purity of their ingredients from seed to skin. Rooted in advanced plant chemistry and artisanal craft, each powerful Amala treatment is of 100% natural origin and works in total synergy with the body—optimizing the skin’s ability to strengthen and repair itself.

Powered by high performance seed oils, botanical extracts and sea algae, rich in natural peptides, potent antioxidants and essential fatty acids, the products are backed by third party clinical test results and NATRUE natural & organic certification. And finally the headquarters located in the beautiful bavarian alps, embody Amala's commitment to environmental responsibility. The carbon neutral, feng shui building features cutting edge green design and technologies, including passive lighting, rainwater collection, green roof and air fountain system. This is a company with conscience. 

THE WELLNESS SPA

The future of spa lies in attending to the ‘whole person’ and as we shift into this new era of wellness it becomes increasingly important to weave wellness into our usual treatment menu. Fortunately the options are both endless and interesting, limited only by your ability to embrace complimentary therapies as befitting spa. 

During my 3 year tenure as the spa and dreamtime manager for Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat I had the opportunity to work with over 30 practitioners who offered their own unique signature experience within the healing environ of the spa. I had the privilege of working alongside specialists in ayurveda, traditional chinese medicine, naturopathy, nutrition, kinesiology, psychotherapy, reiki, sound healing, intuitive reading, advanced massage therapies, chiropractic, buddhism and many other healing modalities. The interesting thing was that guests were actually seeking the unique and extraordinary. They wanted profound transformation of mind, body and soul. 

Spa’s and wellness retreats offer guests the opportunity to disengage from their stress, and as such, we are now quite literally in the stress management and health enhancement business. A spa offers a means to graceful ageing and skilful living and is perfectly placed to educate, inspire and empower. But how then, do we weave wellness into spa? 

First, take a look at your business and how you utilise your treatment rooms. Do you have a room that is unused or under utilised on certain days of the week? If so, you have the space for a specialty therapy. You might choose to offer one specialty therapy on one set day each week, or given more room to utilise, you might promote several therapies on a given day each week. For example: Kinesiology on Monday, Acupuncture on Tuesday, Naturopathy on Wednesday etc. If your spa is placed within a luxury resort you might host 'specialty practitioners'' during peak seasons and use this as an added PR exercise.

Why not enhance your current therapies by introducing healing elements such as reiki, reflexology, restorative yoga, meditation or chi nei tsang. Not only does this add a unique point of difference for your client, it also keeps your team learning and embracing new healing skills. You might send them off to training or run the training in house with one of your new or visiting specialty therapist's.

Know your wellness cuisine and always offer genuinely healthy refreshments. Liase with your chef and have him create a healthy spa menu that compliments the spa wellness experience. 

Base your business on a wellness culture. Consider the environment, recycle, use natural cleaning products, switch to rechargeable tea lights, incorporate natural skincare and ban smoking and sugar at work. It is important to remember that wellness begins at home and in your daily life. So be the change, set the example and show your team what wellness looks and feels like. And as the enthusiasm for wellness grows with your team so it does for your clients.