The scope of offerings in an integrated wellness centre is vast – from anti-ageing services to weight loss to managing lifestyle diseases
The concept of wellness has captured popular imagination, with Gen Y especially taking it to heart. Wellness has been defined as ‘an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence.’ The dimensions of wellness, as defined by a popular wellness website, include ‘mental, physical, spiritual, social, occupational and environmental health conditions; with wellness being the result of personal initiative, seeking a more optimal, holistic and balanced state of health and well-being across multiple dimensions.’
Since wellness is a multi-dimensional concept, it cannot be offered within the confines of just a gym or a spa or a clinic. What wellness-seeking consumers are seeking are 360° solutions, in the form of integrated wellness centres that will address their needs on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. Owing to such increasing demand, setting up such a centre makes incredible business sense. Not only are young urban Indians, but global wellness travelers are making a beeline for such centres, which have a vast scope. Here are some things that can be addressed within an integrated wellness centre framework.
REST AND RELAXATION
The most basic yet most popular function an integrated wellness centre can provide is that of rest and relaxation. A spa within the centre, offering relaxing massages, serves this purpose. Soft to medium pressure massages, which are based on Aromatherapy, and reflexology offer ample rejuvenation and help clients relax. Coupled with beautiful interiors and soothing music, an R & R experience can be amplified.
DIET AND NUTRITION COUNSELING
For clients looking to make an enduring and positive change in their lives, healthy eating habits are instrumental. Nutrition counseling and personalized diet plans play an extremely important role in an integrated wellness setting. Ayurveda diets, Juice Diets, Juice Diets, Master Cleanses and a variety of other diets could be prescribed to clients, based on their wellness goals. Nutrition coaches and dieticians plan meals and closely monitor what the client eats and drinks during the course of stay. Long-term diet plans could also be offered to sustain healthy bodies.
DETOX AND DE-STRESS
Terribly busy and unhealthy lives have yuppies checking into spas looking to de-stress and detox. However, day spas are limited in what they can offer. A destination spa or an integrated wellness centre is more suited for longer detox and cleanse programs, which may range from 3 to 14 days. Detox could be offered through massages, diets, colonic cleanses, Hydrotherapy, Naturopathy and a variety of other techniques.
BODY ANALYSIS
One important service an integrated wellness centre can offer is complete body analysis, which is otherwise available only in a hospital setting. Body assessment in terms of weight, cholesterol, fat, BMI, blood pressure, heart health, metabolism can all be done using special instruments, based on which treatment protocols can be decided. The market is full of high-tech body composition analyzing machines and one of these can be installed at an integrated wellness centre.
WEIGHT LOSS AND BODY CONTOURING
For a lot of clients, fitness goals are synonymous with weight loss. An integrated wellness centre can help clients lose weight and contour bodies in a lot of ways. Apart from exercise regimes and diet plans, one can offer cellulite-busting scrubs and wraps at the spa or machine-aided weight loss using laser, sauna, vibration, non-surgical liposuction and even hypnosis!
ANTI-AGEING TREATMENTS
With the number of self-aware and self-empowered women rising, the anti-ageing industry is bigger than ever. For this discerning client set, it is important that an integrated wellness centre offers a host of anti-ageing treatment options. Facial treatment protocols using high-tech skin brands, Botox, lasers, and other methods may be offered to firm and polish skin, fill wrinkles and lift the face.
FITNESS
Along with physical appearance, physical fitness is of great importance to wellness clients. A gymnasium with top-of-the- line equipment is desirable for cardio and weight-training programs. It is desirable to have both mechanical and automatic gear to suit the needs of clients. Incorporating a pool also helps in broadening the scope of exercises with facilities like water aerobics. Additionally, offering outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, gardening, etc., as also Pilates, Zumba and Aerobics can make your fitness ‘menu’ look comprehensive.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Not only preventive care and longevity, but an integrated wellness centre should aim to offer healing. Lifestyle diseases like diabetes, insomnia and chronic stress can be controlled to a great extent using a number of therapies – of course, under the guidance of a registered physician. Other diseases like obesity, minor bone and joint problems, chronic fatigue, cholesterol and blood pressure issues, back and neck aches, etc. can be eased at an integrated wellness centre.
SLEEP MANAGEMENT
More and more ‘wellness’ properties around the world are recognizing the importance of sleep in a person’s well being. Some hotels are offering exhaustive pillow menus, biorhythmic lighting and even sleep consultants to help their clients sleep better. An integrated wellness centre could adopt similar practices and add breathing techniques and aromatherapy to their repertoire for sleep management programs.
ADDICTION MANAGEMENT
For integrated wellness centres offering hypnotherapy, addiction management is also an option. Provided the addiction is not too serious, one can help clients get rid of habits like smoking, drinking, and even overeating using hypnotherapy. A qualified hypnotherapist can make a valuable addition to the wellness quotient of clients.
ALTERNATE HEALING
The scope of an integrated wellness centre can be wider still by incorporating alternate healing practices. A lot of wellness destinations around the world are offering Reiki to supplement their programs. Still more techniques like Chakra Healing, Crystal Healing, Pranic Healing, Music Therapy, etc. can be offered at such a centre.
YOGA AND MEDITATION
Yoga and meditation are two more features that ought to be part of an integrated wellness centre. While Yoga offers a gentler way to physical fitness, meditation aids fitness of the mind. Coupled with Ayurvedic therapies like Panchakarma, Yoga and meditation are excellent and holistic methods for achieving total wellness.
COUNSELING
Finally, a qualified psychologist at an integrated wellness centre would make the circle of wellness complete. Mental and emotional wellbeing are just as important as the spiritual and physical aspects. With an option for counseling, clients truly have a chance at complete wellness at an integrated wellness centre.
