Blu Spas Approach To Tech and Wellness Trends
As spa designers and consultants, we are equally wary and intrigued about tech and wellness trends.
While we advise our clients to use a cautious approach before investing in the latest technology in their spa projects, we also believe that technology is certain to have an impact on wellness, spa and fitness experiences.
Some of the ideas we have seen range from the fantastic, including genetic editing and sleep science while other ideas are more accessible right now, such as virtual reality and wearable tech.
Over the last year, Blu Spas has been working with a technology partner to develop a variety of wellness, spa and fitness-centric experiences based upon extended reality technologies, including augmented reality and virtual reality.
VR is fast becoming a powerful tool for the spa and wellness industries and can add an extra dimension of wellness treatment options for consumers.
According to a recent Spa Executive article, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, conducted an experiment on 120 hospital patients and found that playing virtual reality games or relaxing in a virtual nature setting reduced their pain symptoms.
Studies have also shown that VR can reduce levels of anxiety, depression and negative emotions while promoting a positive mood. (Forbes.com)
Our key motivations behind this initiative have been to explore ways in which wellness offerings can be made more accessible, to create unique guest experiences with compelling wellness benefits and to develop solutions utilizing technologies to improve operational inefficiencies.
As the spa industry evolves and new technology emerges, it behooves all of us to pay attention to what’s happening now and become part of the creative solutions these tech experiences are offering.
If spa businesses are not open to new and innovative tech and wellness features for their guest experiences, they could risk getting left behind in the market.
Here are a few favorite tech and wellness features from our Blu Spas team:
DOUG:I’m excited by the unlimited immersive wellness and operational possibilities posed by virtual reality. VR is easily accessible and can be deployed anywhere, allowing for the delivery of wellness experiences on demand. My other favorite new tech experience: we’re working on immersive experiential lounges, combining several technologies that enable us to transport guests into a mind-blowing range of virtual experiences such as sauntering through a rain forest, watching the sunset and waves crash at a beach or floating in the clouds.
BRIAN: It’s true that something like genetic editing is fantastical (if not controversial), but the growing popularity of different services that provide DNA testing (think 23andMe®) is moving the concept of gene-based therapies into the mainstream consciousness. As more of the population become comfortable with submitting swabs for DNA extraction, the potential for using such information in a Wellness application will continue to grow. Utilizing DNA markers could facilitate a very personalized wellness program to identify genetic predispositions and work to combat them through diet, exercise or lifestyle changes. The efficacy of anti-aging treatments or lifestyle adjustments could be proven (or disproven) for each individual. And those are just some of the advantages we already know. Of course, there are some logistical and privacy issues that will need to be ironed out as DNA testing makes its way into the realm of Spa (Hello HIPAA!), but the potential benefits cannot be ignored.
KIM: In a quantified era where we increasingly rely on data to track our health, the appeal of tech and wellness apps will likely continue to grow. As a holistic health practitioner, I prefer my tech in the form of wellness apps that both educate and inspire. My personal favorite apps these days are as follows:
• Leafly/CBD Research & Worlds Leading Cannabis Resource
CARY: All great ideas from our Blu team. My thoughts are as follows…Go Out And Play!
