Noel Asmar is the Founder and Creative Director of Noel Asmar Group of Companies, which services spa, healthcare, hospitality & equestrian.
About two decades ago, when I first started outfitting spa professionals in uniforms, the industry didn’t have the same credibility it does today. Hotel managers, in my experience, largely viewed spas as a cost center—a sunken investment to increase the perceived value of a property. I also didn’t observe a big emphasis on the mental wellness of spa professionals. I saw staff members work long shifts on their feet while engaging in both physically and emotionally demanding work.
A lot has changed since then. When the pandemic hit, hotel rooms were vacant, and many people started prioritizing their health and self-care. By 2022, the global spa services market was worth $77.85 billion and is expected to reach $259.26 billion by 2030. I believe this demand, along with more consumers prioritizing wellness, shows that spas can be major revenue-generating centers. The global wellness tourism market was valued at $814.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 12.42% from 2023 to 2030, according to Grandview Research.
However, increased demand for spa services also spotlighted challenges for spa professionals such as staff shortages and burnout. From my view, the spa industry was facing a potential wellness crisis of sorts that, in many ways, runs in parallel to what we’re seeing unfold in our healthcare systems.
However, I’m seeing some in the spa industry working to address these challenges, which has a ripple effect on guests and employees alike, particularly in terms of wellness. Here are three lessons leaders in the healthcare space and beyond can take from the spa industry to promote self-care for employees.
Create systems for forced respite.
With significant demands both in and outside of work, it’s not surprising many spa workers can feel overrun. The spa industry has undergone challenges with recruiting and retaining employees in recent years. During the pandemic, many spas had to shut down and deal with staff shortages upon reopening.
Limited hours of operation resulted in shorter work days for employees. While these closures were required, I believe there are some benefits of forced respite that leaders can learn from. Many organizations can’t limit their hours of operation; however, they can still create systems for forced respite. Modern scheduling technology, for example, has become a key investment for managers looking to optimize shift work for employees. Not only can the software reduce the amount of time supervisors spend managing convoluted schedules, but it can also be used to identify if workers are putting in above-optimal hours.
Considering burnout is a key contributor to employee turnover, investing in sustainable conditions for employees can bring sound returns.
Educate teams on the principles of wellness.
From my observations, many companies within the spa industry do an exemplary job of providing ongoing training in new areas of wellness. This might include off-sites that allow staff to learn new wellness techniques or bringing in specialists who teach the underlying principles of nutritional eating, hydration and movement. Actions such as these immerse professionals in a culture of wellness.
Many companies already invest in upskilling staff in the wake of new technologies and advancements. There’s an opportunity, however, for leaders to expand on-the-job training to include education around prioritizing self-care while maintaining demanding jobs.
To be effective, wellness programs require a steady commitment from employers and should be incorporated in a way that aligns with their team culture. For example, my team works remotely. As such, every Wednesday, we bring in a health coach on a video conference to lead our team through grounding practices to help them focus before a big day.
Attendance is mandatory, but I’ll be the first one to admit that sometimes, even as a leader, I show up and just want to get cracking. I’m thinking about all the things I have to do, and I don’t want an interruption in my day. Once I’ve gone through the practice, however, I feel more centered. Making that commitment to take a few moments of self-care before getting into the demands can have a huge benefit on a team’s mental health and productivity.
Architect wellness into the environment.
Early in my career, I was given an opportunity to design the uniform for a housekeeping team at a hotel. My first instinct was to spend time observing the team in action. I watched how they moved, stored their tools, washed their garments and interacted with guests. When conceptualizing the uniform, all of this was considered, from selecting the optimal fabric to designing the cut. The result was a functional garment that not only elevated how the team looked but also transformed how they felt. I’ll never forget the confidence and pride the team carried when they put on that uniform.
How we feel at work is related to how we perform and our physical work environments. Factors such as what you wear and how your workspaces are designed play a key role in productivity and job satisfaction. Spas are tranquil environments designed to calm the senses, often with dim lighting, relaxing music, aromatic scents and fresh-air spaces.
Some work environments, however, bombard the senses with harsh lighting, high levels of noise and limited exposure to nature. We see this often in medical settings where many patients are in recovery. In recent years, we’ve seen the birth of new architects and designers who specialize in wellness. For leaders wanting to incorporate wellness into their workplaces, consulting with these design professionals to thoughtfully create a calm space can have tangible benefits on employees and customers alike.
I recognize it takes extraordinary leadership to prioritize wellness in workplace settings, particularly in high-stakes environments like healthcare. For those who make the commitment, however, the rewards can be transformational.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
