Waking Up To Sleep

Programmes, retreats and skincare focused on catching quality shut-eye

- Kate O’Brien

With an estimated two thirds of adults in developed nations failing to obtain the eight hours of sleep recommended by both The World Health Organization and National Sleep Foundation, the world may finally be waking up to devastating consequences.

In his book Why We Sleep, sleep scientist Matthew Walker says that humans are the only species that will deliberately deprive themselves of sleep without legitimate gain. He adds, ”Routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system, more than doubling your risk of cancer.” He believes insufficient sleep is a key lifestyle factor determining whether one will develop Alzheimer’s disease.

We know that it takes more than lavender-scented pillows, ergonomic mattresses and calming teas to alleviate chronic sleep issues. With strategic sleep programmes coming centre stage in retreats across the globe and a plethora of beauty and lifestyle products appealing to the senses, destination sleep is where the wellness industry is currently positioning itself.

Daniel Lathan of Sonami AG in Germany has researched acoustics, light and sound for the last 20 years and finds that room acoustics have more influence on sleep than a supposedly perfect mattress. In a play on psychoacoustics, architecture and lighting design he designed the new Dream Well Suite at South Tyrol’s Preidlhof resort in Italy.

“Acoustics is not just sound,” says Lathan. “It refers to how the room sounds and reacts to sound and music. Our natural sound environment changes constantly as the space is alive – you can lie down on a clearing in the forest, close your eyes and begin to hear. This is not possible in a concrete and glass box. Everything we have copied from nature.”