Sleep holidays, also known as ‘sleep tourism’, have become increasingly popular since both the pandemic and as the understanding of how important sleep really is continues to grow.
In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explains what is involved in a sleep holiday or dedicated sleep retreat – what you can expect whilst there and the longer term benefits.
What is sleep tourism?
Sleep tourism is refers to when people go on holiday, to a specific retreat or hotel, where they can relax and also learn practical techniques for improving their sleep long term. A sleep holiday is about specifically focussing on and learning about sleep.
In the same way that yoga retreats have become very popular, sleep retreats are a new variation of this wellbeing trend.
Not only can people catch up on sleep when they are on this type of holiday (because they can sleep in or take naps), sleep tourism, additionally, offers participants activities to learn about improving their sleep. They will take away tools and guidance that they can use after the holiday has finished.
Typical activities include:
- breathing and relaxation techniques that can improve sleep
- learning about good sleep hygiene
- understanding how to best manage jetlag
- sessions on managing stress and anxiety
- massages and yoga sessions,
It is often very common for the hotel or accommodation to have bedrooms specifically designed for optimal sleep too, and to offer food and drink tailored for great sleep.
Why has there been an increase in sleep tourism?
Since the pandemic, many people have been struggling with their sleep.
Also, after two years of Covid travel restrictions, people are keen to start travelling again like they used to.
In recent years, there has been a great deal of information in the media about the benefits of sleep and the importance of wellbeing. Therefore, people are much more willing to invest time in money to improve their sleep, quality and quantity, as they are aware of how truly important sleep is.
Sleep holidays, where you can combine spending time in a luxury beach resort or hotel with improving your sleep, have become so popular because people want to spend time improving their health and wellbeing, but don’t always have the time. Sleep tourism kills two birds with one stone.
Furthermore, finding access to a qualified sleep expert can be very difficult. Going to a hotel resort where one is on site can be a great bonus.
For most sleep retreats, there will be a qualified sleep expert in-house for individual one-to-one therapy sessions with guests.
What is the benefit of a sleep holiday?
Through the sleep holiday, people will learn a valuable skill (i.e. improving their sleep) that they take away from their holiday and use every day through the rest of the year.
Additionally, spending a week or so relaxing and prioritising sleep on the sleep holiday will leave people feeling renewed and refreshed, once their holiday has finished.
Sleep holidays aren’t just about spending time relaxing on the beach. They are holistic and aimed at improving your sleep not only during the holiday itself, but for the longer term.
Looking for a sleep holiday or retreat?
You can search for sleep holidays and sleep retreats and you will find a range of options, in a range of locations and for a range of budgets.
I was privileged to be the resident sleep expert for the Patina Hotel in the Maldives. Check out what they offer and read more about my experience here:
If you own a hotel or wish to run a well-being or sleep retreat, do get in touch and I can tell you more about my resident sleep therapist services, as well as my sleep seminars.