Miraval Resorts & Spas and Humin set new standards for the future of measurable well-being | News
In a world driven by a relentless pace and constant pressure, many of today’s wellness travelers are looking for more than a momentary escape and demand experiences that have a lasting, measurable impact. Miraval Resorts & Spas, a pioneer in destination wellness for more than 30 years, has unveiled the results of a groundbreaking third-party study showing that immersive wellness retreats like those at Miraval resorts are positively correlated with reduced perceived stress, enhanced mindfulness and reported well-being benefits that last even months after a stay1. The research was led by Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations), a global nonprofit leader in wellness science founded by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard J Davidson.
This groundbreaking research is one of the first of its kind and sets a new benchmark for the hospitality sector. The results, outlined below and in the published report, show that certain reported wellbeing outcomes correlate positively with a stay at Miraval, with research by Humin’s team of scientists indicating that retreats can potentially be seen as evidence-based investments in wellbeing.
In a world where employee burnout is estimated to cost the global economy more than $322 billion (Gallup2), and an environment characterized by a “loneliness epidemic” (Harvard3), these findings come at a crucial time when individuals, workplaces and communities are rethinking their well-being and looking for more meaningful ways to recharge, realign and reconnect.
Key findings:
Well-being that lasts
Humin’s research shows that staying at a wellness resort is not just a treat, but can also be a smart investment in personal well-being. Although wellness resort guests often anecdotally report feeling less stressed after a stay, this study suggests a link between staying at a Miraval resort 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 seeing a reduction in stress even 60 days after the stay
The power of connection
According to Humin’s research methods, including the Healthy Minds Index4, connection is central to well-being. The survey found that 95% of guests surveyed reported experiencing a sense of belonging within the Miraval community after their stay, while more than 70% self-reported having formed new friendships and authentic connections with other guests and/or resort colleagues.
Shifts in mentality
The research suggested that retreats can promote sustainable personal growth. Improvements in mindfulness5, connection, awareness and self-efficacy were reported by participants surveyed long after their stay, providing guests with skills to manage stress, improve performance and find meaning in everyday life.
Organizational impact
Broader research in the sector links well-being and job satisfaction to less burnout, fewer ‘lost days’ at work and better human performance6. Humin’s research suggests a link between a stay at Miraval and improvements in well-being and job satisfaction, with a scientifically significant number of guests reporting increased job satisfaction when surveyed after their stay. The study thus supports a growing body of research showing that prioritizing well-being and promoting unique human skills such as meaning and self-efficacy can contribute to individual and organizational success through improved job satisfaction. (Deloitte7, McKinsey8)
Transformative activities
Surveyed guests who participated in Miraval experiences such as equine therapy, creative expression, meditation and outdoor adventure reported increasing benefits of reduced stress9, improved well-being4 and/or increased mindfulness5.
“Through our strategic partnership with the Miraval brand, we are raising the standard of research in hospitality,” said Christina Glavas, CEO of Humin. “This study provides actionable scientific measurement insights for Miraval resorts’ immersive wellness experience, and shows how organizations can leverage wellness science as a tool to achieve measurable impact.”
Research methodology
The research results are based on a study conducted by Humin that examined the lasting impact on well-being of a stay at Miraval through qualitative interviews and surveys at multiple points in time. A total of 266 guests completed pre-stay assessments, with 176 of these guests participating in two-week and 60-day follow-ups. The study applied the Healthy Minds Framework – Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose, suggesting that wellness retreats have the potential to be a powerful method for delivering sustainable wellness. Participants who completed the study were offered a $500 resort credit toward paid promotions during a future stay at a Miraval resort.
What guests say
Respondent guests reported highly meaningful experiences, with some describing their stay as ‘life-changing’, ‘refreshing’ and ‘enriching’. One guest reported that they were “able to connect with myself in a way I haven’t done before,” another described being empowered to “follow my own path,” while several guests highlighted how their experiences continued to positively impact them beyond their stay, with one guest “integrating my learnings into my daily life.” Another reflected that ‘unplugging’ from their digital devices supported their ‘healing journey’.
“For more than 30 years, Miraval Resorts and their colleagues have been committed to creating transformative wellness experiences that help our guests build resilience, clarity and balance in their lives,” said Simon Marxer, Vice President of Spa & Wellbeing at Miraval Resorts. “We are excited to collaborate with Humin on this compelling data-driven research that suggests the impact of immersive wellness, confirming what we have seen firsthand for decades: that time spent at Miraval resorts correlates with meaningful, lasting benefits for the body, mind and spirit.”
Read the full study results at https://moments.miravalresorts.com/wellbeing-study and learn how you can experience the benefits of this study at a Miraval resort.
Discover the well-being science behind the research at https://www.humin.org/case-studies/miraval.
