Innovation Alert:
Spas and the Science of Happiness
Many talks during the first two days of the Innovation through Imagination-themed GSWS were about defining innovation and exploring ways to innovate. The third day had a different tone – very practical – because we got to hear from people who put forth some innovative ideas for the spa and wellness sector.
This GSWS Weekender is about one of those ideas: “Spas and the Science of Happiness,” which was presented by Jeremy McCarthy, director of Global Spa Development and Operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He did a great job explaining the new field of Positive Psychology and related it specifically to the world of spa and wellness. It’s definitely worth watching his short video and reading through the transcript of his speech.
Here are some highlights – in Jeremy’s own words:
- In the spa world we talk about body, mind and spirit. Really, what we do is often more about the body.
- It’s time to put more emphasis on mental well-being and the psychological impact of what we do.
- Positive psychology focuses on what is right with people and the things we want more of in life: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, and a sense of purpose or meaning, accomplishment, all of the things that contribute to a flourishing life.
- We need to get inside our customers heads. We need to really think about the mental and spiritual side of that.
- The spa experience is not really about, in my opinion, facilities, treatments, and products. It’s really, at the end of the day, about, “How did we make our customers feel?”
- What we do really well is provide healing that feels good because there is no other healing institution that people look forward to going to, that people enjoy when they are there, and that people remember fondly afterwards, the way they do spa.
- In the last 10 years I think mental health has really focused on happiness, you saw all the books – that has been a huge trend. I think in the next 10 years, the focus will be mindfulness.
- What are you giving your customers to think about for the hour they are on the massage table? If you can plant a seed that gets them thinking about either something they are thankful for, something they are hopeful for, or somebody that they love, then you have just made that hour of experience something that is going to be much more than just a physical relaxing massage experience.
Question of the week: What are some other ways our industry can incorporate Positive Psychology? Email us to join the conversation.
This is a great article on the possibilities inherent in the spa and wellness fields.
I would like to expand Jeremy’s manifesto to Creativity and Innovation, because they are the action-oriented handmaidens to positive psychology.They are natural human gifts that most people forget they have or are not taught to value in themselves. Spa treatments, by their focus on touch and healing. naturally open people upf their giftedness. Why not take it a step further and encourage them to listen to their dreams? When the body is relaxed as it is in a spa therapy or treatment, the mind and the heart are also released from tension and worry. When that happens the mind soars with ‘magic what ifs’ and the attendant ability to tenaciously go after them. It is amazing what clients can achieve emotionally and psychologically given a relaxed, positive, nourishing environment that is readily available to them. Spa treatments then become a practice rather than a ‘one off’, because they help the client create an environment fertile for self discovery and transformation. And the beautiful thing about this in terms of spas, is how little it takes to make the mind, heart, and the imagination gain confidence with healing touch.
Shelley Berc, Director
The Creativity Workshop
One Columbus Place Suite N40F
New York NY 10019
212.203.3252
http://creativityworkshop.com
sberc@creativityworkshops.com
I think that affording our guests ways to volunteer or serve others helps to foster Positive Psychology. As we all know, if you’re ever feeling depressed, go out and help someone, it’s a great tonic! So, host events, or put teams together to get involved in community support events to allow our guests to enjoy the same Positive effect of giving to others.
At The Oaks at Ojai we have me (Annat Provo) as both Spa Director and Life Awareness Coach. I labeled it life awareness coaching (A.N.A.T. – Awakening New Awareness & Transformation – Acronym of my name) because my emphasis is not about steps to achieve goals (like life coaches do) but rather about how the person is with themselves while living with their various life challenges and delights. The sessions with me (at cost) and the free evening presentations (at least twice monthly) and free weekend seminars (at least three times per year) are about internal dialogue (the noise between the ears), ideas, tools and processes geared toward learning to use EVERYTHING in life as opportunity (for growth and learning if nothing else, and spiritually for practicing loving, service, acceptance etc.)
The feedback from our guests for having these free lectures / offerings and the personal feedback from guests who book a session with me are truly appreciative. They are indicting that addressing the mental, emotional and spiritual level of being is valued by the guests and makes The Oaks a “full package” for them, as we already attend to nutrition and fitness.
My evening presentations and my weekend seminars include reciting and reading relevant inspirational poetry and giving the participants handouts to process both here and at home. Before meeting with a guest for a personal session I sit with them for a few minutes, complimentary, to inquire for the reason that they want the session, therefore relaxing them and enabling me to come prepared with specific handouts for both the session and to take home. Each is given a folder with relevant material and of course The Oaks insignia is on all the material.
I trust this is helpful.
Blessings to all,
Anat Provo