A new third-party research study from Miraval Resorts & Spas suggests that immersive wellness retreats are positively correlated with reduced perceived stress, strengthened mindfulness and reported well-being benefits lasting even months after a stay.
The study was led by Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations), a global nonprofit leader in well-being science, founded by neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson.
Among the first of its kind, this research sets a new benchmark for the hospitality industry, according to the companies. Research by Humin’s team of scientists indicates that retreats can potentially be viewed as evidence-based investments in well-being.
In a world where employee burnout is estimated to cost the global economy more than $322 billion, and an environment characterized by a “loneliness epidemic,” these findings come at a critical moment when individuals, workplaces and communities are re-thinking well-being and seeking more meaningful ways to recharge, realign and reconnect.
Key findings:
- Wellness that lasts: The study suggests that a stay at a wellness resort is not just an indulgence but could be a smart investment in personal well-being. While, anecdotally, wellness resort guests often report feeling less stressed after a stay, this study suggests a correlation between a stay and a reduction in self-reported stress levels. Guests self-reported feeling less stressed, with 62% of those who participated in the observational, longitudinal study perceiving a reduction in stress even at 60 days post-stay.
- The power of connection: In accordance with Humin’s study methods, including the Healthy Minds Index, connection is central to well-being. The study found that 95% of surveyed guests reported that they experienced a sense of belonging within the Miraval community post-stay, while more than 70% self-reported that they formed new friendships and authentic connections with fellow guests and/or resort colleagues.
- Shifts in mindset: The research suggested that retreats can foster enduring personal growth. Gains in mindfulness, connection, awareness and self-efficacy were reported by surveyed participants well after their stay, equipping guests with skills to manage stress, enhance performance and find meaning in daily life.
- Organizational impact: Broader industry research correlates well-being and job satisfaction with reduced burnout, fewer “lost days” at work and enhanced human performance. Humin’s study suggests a connection between a stay and improvements in well-being and job satisfaction, with a scientifically significant number of guests reporting increased job satisfaction when surveyed post-stay. The study thus supports a growing body of research, suggesting that prioritizing wellness and fostering uniquely human abilities such as purpose and self-efficacy may contribute to individual and organizational success by way of improved job satisfaction.
- Transformative activities: Surveyed guests who participated in Miraval experiences such as equine therapy, creative expression, meditation and outdoor adventure reported incremental benefits from reduced stress, improved well-being, and/or increased mindfulness.
“Through our strategic collaboration with the Miraval brand, we’re elevating the standard of research in hospitality,” said Christina Glavas, CEO, Humin. “This study provides actionable scientific measurement insights for Miraval resorts’ immersive wellness experience and shows how organizations can leverage well-being science as a tool to achieve measurable impact.”
Simon Marxer, VP, spa and well-being, Miraval Resorts, added, “For over 30 years, Miraval Resorts and their colleagues have been dedicated to creating transformative wellness experiences that help our guests build resilience, clarity and balance in their lives. We are thrilled to collaborate with Humin on this compelling data-driven research that suggests the impact of immersive wellness, validating what we’ve seen firsthand for decades—that time spent at Miraval resorts correlates to meaningful, lasting benefits for mind, body and spirit.”