The Rising Importance of Mental Health and Wellness in Global Health Systems

Health systems across the globe are increasingly focusing on mental health issues, which have gained prominence due to various factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly heightened these concerns, leading to a staggering 25% increase in the rates of depression and anxiety during the first year of the pandemic. Furthermore, individuals are dealing with a wide array of external stressors tied to economic, social, and political uncertainties, such as conflict, inflation, and violence. Even though these circumstances are beyond a person’s control, they significantly impact mental health and overall well-being.

Mental Health: An Integral Component of Overall Health

The idea of good health extends beyond simply being disease-free and includes a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Mental health is particularly important as it is a crucial component of overall health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being that enables individuals to effectively deal with life’s stressors, realize their potential, perform well in learning and working, and contribute positively to their communities.

More than two years since the pandemic began, mental health concerns continue to escalate. Healthcare providers are expressing concerns regarding the lasting impact of the pandemic on public health systems as the consequences of increasing mental health issues appear widespread and multifaceted. Mental health issues can lead to a decline in overall well-being, impaired quality of life, decreased productivity, and various other complications. They can also strain interpersonal relationships and exacerbate existing social disparities.

Moreover, the collective impact of mental health issues on society is manifested in the form of increased healthcare costs, reduced workforce productivity, and added burden on public health systems. Therefore, mental health and wellness have become a collective social responsibility. Consequently, industries such as hotels and spas can make a significant contribution by offering accessible, affordable, and inclusive spa programs that prioritize mental health and wellness.

Consumer Awareness on Mental Health and Well-Being is Increasing

During one of the most significant global crises, consumer awareness regarding health and well-being has grown considerably. People are now deliberately planning vacations specifically designed to enhance their mental health and overall sense of well-being.

Google’s “Year in Search 2022” revealed that the most common health-related searches focused on physical and mental recovery, as well as coping mechanisms for anxiety and depression. Queries such as “how to handle stress”, “how to cure depression”, “can I change…?”, “how to start again?”, and “how to be more positive?” underscored people’s desire for new opportunities and innovative ways to navigate their lives. Collectively, these searches exemplify a desire for mental well-being, personal growth, and a search for positive pathways forward.

Consequently, there has been a significant increase in the demand for wellness products and services worldwide. According to a report by the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy has grown faster than global GDP over the past decade, reaching $4.9 trillion in 2019. It is projected to reach $7 trillion by 2025. This impressive growth indicates the increasing importance people place on their well-being and their willingness to invest in products and services that promote wellness.

Wellness Tourism and the Spa Industry

Wellness tourism activities aim to improve and balance essential aspects of human life, including physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual, and occupational domains. Consumers engage in wellness tourism for preventive, proactive, and lifestyle-enhancing activities such as exercise and fitness, healthy eating, body and facial beauty treatments, meditation and relaxation techniques, water-based bathing treatments, mind-body interventions, pampering and healing treatments, creative arts, and wellness-focused education and workshops to achieve a balance and improvement across these different domains of their lives.

The spa industry plays a significant role in the global wellness market, providing a wide range of wellness services and treatments. A 2018 report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showed that the primary motivation for people visiting spas is to alleviate stress and relax. In response, the global spa industry has evolved significantly over the years, with spas introducing new programs and activities that adopt a more comprehensive approach to wellness.

Beyond traditional spa treatments, modern spas have expanded their services to include various healing treatments, yoga and meditation sessions, tai chi classes, jacuzzi facilities, hammam experiences, therapeutic massages, culturally authentic and physically engaging adventures, relaxation programs, and providing organic and locally sourced healthy food options. Some spas even integrate medical care into their offerings. With the changing lifestyle and great emphasis on enhancing one’s well-being, spa retreats have become an important avenue for people to achieve their wellness goals.

The Impact of Modern Living Environment and Nature Deficit Disorder

Due to digitalization, the modern built living environment, and various other challenges posed by the modern society, people are now spending more time indoors, which disconnects them from nature. During the Covid-19 pandemic, most work environments have switched to either fully remote or hybrid models. This shift has resulted in people spending even more time online and less time engaging in socialization and outdoor activities. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend approximately 93% of their time indoors (87% inside buildings and 6% inside automobiles), which means that Americans are only spending 7% of their time in an outdoor environment.

This statistic is concerning, as it denies people the multitude of benefits that come from connecting with nature. Studies have linked this sedentary lifestyle with poor physical and mental health. The term “Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD)” was introduced in 2005 by Richard Louv, co-founder, and chairman emeritus of the Children & Nature Network, referring to the lack of outdoor activities and the negative impacts of people’s alienation from nature. While NDD is not recognized as a medical diagnosis, it has been linked to attention deficit disorder, obesity, chronic pain, physical and mental illnesses among many other conditions.

The Relationship Between Natural Environment, Human Health, and Well-Being

Nature has long been recognized for its healing properties. Since medieval times, healers in mosaic infirmaries recognized the positive effect of nature on both physical and mental health. These infirmaries’ healing practices included natural therapies that incorporated elements of nature into their treatments. Early monasteries also recognized the healing power of nature through the establishment of traditional healing gardens and farms, revered for their ability to soothe, restore, and promote overall well-being.

Florence Nightingale’s article published in 1859 further emphasized the role of nature in the recovery process of patients. In her work, Nightingale highlighted the importance of outdoor spaces, the presence of plants, access to fresh air, and exposure to natural sunlight as integral components for promoting healing and well-being, reinforcing the significance of incorporating natural elements into healthcare environments.

As more people are suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder, various countries and governments have started to take active roles in promoting nature-based therapies. These programs, also known as nature therapy, green exercise, forest therapy, ecotherapy, horticulture therapy, or forest wellness programs, are immersive experiences designed to connect people with nature to promote growth and healing.

For example, Japan is leading the way in forest bathing, an immersive forest experience known as shinrin-yoku. This practice originated in Japan and was introduced as their national health program in 1982. This Japanese belief in the calming and healing powers of forests is influenced by the Shinto religion. South Korea has also recognized forest therapy as an official public health concept. In China, forest wellness is often integrated with traditional Chinese medicine and hot springs to provide a holistic wellness experience to its guests.

The Global Wellness Summit in 2019 reported that forest bathing is one of the leading global wellness and spa trends that has become a truly recognized healthful pursuit. The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in the United States and the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA) in Australia are some of the advocates of forest therapy. These associations are also involved in the training and certification of forest therapy guides.

According to ANFT, forest therapy is a practice that promotes healing and wellness through immersing oneself in the calming and restorative atmosphere of forests and other natural environments where the focus is on mindful connection and relationship with the environment. INFTA also implements and promotes forest therapy as an evidence-based public health practice that is being recognized globally as evidence-based, cost-effective, and natural medicine. Park Rx programs designed throughout the United States have already recognized the beneficial effect of forest bathing and have integrated this practice into their programs where patients are provided prescriptions to spend time outdoors in parks or green spaces.

European countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Austria have also recognized significant health benefits of nature therapy and transformed their recreation forests and spas into a billion-dollar health and wellness industry. German spas have embraced the concept of nature therapy, incorporating elements such as forest saunas, natural mineral baths, and outdoor meditation spaces. Switzerland is also known for utilizing its beautiful lakes and meadow landscapes for skiing, hiking, sledging, forest bathing, and many other nature immersive experiences.

Healing Effects of Nature on Physical and Mental Health

Increasingly, tourists are seeking opportunities to connect with nature and are attracted to destinations that offer nature-based therapies. Connectedness to nature refers to the extent to which individuals feel emotionally connected to the natural world. The impact of connectedness to nature on individuals’ general health and well-being has been well documented in academic literature. There is growing evidence that nature-based activities have psychological as well as sociological benefits, which positively impact human health.

A study conducted in the UK revealed seven categories of healing effects of walking in nature, which are: being part or sense of belonging, closer to what is more natural, getting away, being me, finding meaning, feeling safe and striving. The study further reported that walking in nature in a group was found to alleviate emotional pain and withdrawal, feelings of insecurity, isolation, rejection, hopelessness, worthlessness, and oppression.

Spending time in the wild nature is also known to have healing effects including stress recovery, improved mood and relaxation, enhanced concentration, a sense of purpose and meaning, better social contact, and improved spiritual well-being, among many other benefits. Healthcare and medical studies have also reported that exposure to nature has beneficial effects in lowering blood pressure, reducing pulse rate, accelerating healing, improving recovery, providing pain relief, reducing stress hormone level, increasing the production of natural killer cells and offering anti-inflammatory benefits.

Integrating Nature Therapy into Hotel and Spa Services

The pandemic lockdowns and restrictions have sparked a reevaluation of human connection to the natural world and the therapeutic value of nature. There has been a significant increase in the number of visitors flocking to national parks, beaches, mountains, and ski areas. A recent study conducted by American Express showed a significant emphasis on wellness-focused trips where an impressive 73% of the respondents worldwide stated that their vacation is centered around improving their physical and mental health. The study also indicated that 68% of the participants expressed their preference for travel destinations in natural settings to achieve mental clarity.

These studies highlight the growing popularity of nature-oriented experiences among global travelers. With the wellness goal in mind, people are also considering easier and independent ways to connect with nature without much hassle and planning. Thus, hotels and spas that offer affordable and authentic experiences in nature are becoming a high-value and popular option for these tourists.

All of these developments have presented a great opportunity for the hotel industry and spas to meet the needs of guests who are looking for affordable, meaningful, and holistic well-being experiences. Thus, forest bathing and nature immersion experiences are now being integrated into spa programs so that guests can reap the benefits of nature’s healing energy.

Therefore, in addition to the traditional as well as specialized services such as hydrotherapy, spa massage, and sound healing, spas can integrate natural outdoor elements into their wellness treatments. Hotels and spas can utilize their location and surrounding natural environment to develop unique therapeutic practices that can be incorporated into the spa experience and programming for guests.

These programs may include simple activities such as guided nature walks and bird watching, as well as specialized activities such as forest meditation and yoga, scenic dinners, hiking, trekking, caving, forest bathing, camping, mountaineering, open-air massage, cycling, and nature photography among many others. Nature immersion activities can also include water activities such as diving, sailing, river bathing, kayaking, fishing, whale watching, swimming outdoors, canyoning, and canoeing. Other unique nature immersive experiences may include staying in tree house cabins and decks, gardening and farming, and group walking in farmlands.

The Advantages of Green Spaces

The presence of green spaces in the living environment has also been linked to health and well-being. Thus, new hotel and spa projects can incorporate biophilic designs into their buildings, landscapes, and guestroom designs. This approach involves maximizing natural light, ventilation, plants, water features, natural views, landscapes, and the inclusion of indirect experiences of the natural environment.

For properties with limited access to natural landscapes, this can be achieved through greening the indoor spaces and adding elements of the natural world such as flora and fauna, nature-inspired artwork and photographs, incorporation of natural geometries, and the use of materials like wooden furniture and ornaments designed in shapes and forms found in nature.

While direct contact with nature can trigger a variety of physical, emotional and cognitive responses, indirect contact with nature such as looking at a picture of nature, organic shapes and forms can arouse human senses. Further, these design elements may also be appealing to spa-goers and enhance their overall experience, even if they are not specifically seeking nature-related activities. In addition, green workspaces are also beneficial to employees as studies have shown that green surrounding helps lower stress level, enhance employee morale, increase attention and focus leading to greater productivity.

In our modern world, where stress has become the new norm, hotels and spas are at the forefront of providing a holistic approach to wellness services. Alongside relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-care, these establishments can create integrated programming and services that cater to the needs of health and wellness-oriented guests who are seeking nature’s healing touch for both preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Moreover, the increasing disposable income among consumers and their growing interest in quality of life and well-being will drive the demand for affordable wellness programs. To stay ahead in this dynamic well-being industry, businesses must offer affordable and authentic nature immersion experiences, as spending time in nature becomes a trendy luxury.

Above all, through the creation of programs that improve the mental well-being and overall health of guests, the hotel and spa industry have a unique opportunity to contribute to public health with a substantial impact on the society as a whole.

Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from