Health news: Sleep-inspired vacations, staying fit on the fly and the Cloudsurfer runner that puts an easier pace on your feet

News, buys and curiosities in the health sector this month.

popular

grab those Z’s

Amex has just released its latest Global Travel Trends report and found that wellness is one of the themes for this year’s bookings. Most respondents (57%) said they plan to take longer vacations this year to focus on their physical, mental and spiritual health. More and more health concerns about sleep and getting more sleep. Swedish bed maker Hastens recently opened its first Sleep Spa hotel in Coimbra, Portugal, which includes consultation with sleep experts who offer advice on sleeping positions. The Zedwell Hotel in central London offers soundproofed rooms with no electronics, so guests won’t be woken by screens, erratic lights or beeping. The Royal Hotel in Picton, Ontario has introduced the Sacred Tranquility Ritual at its spa. A 60-minute body treatment designed to relieve stress and improve sleep quality with rhythmic brushing movements and the application of hydrating products. The technology is designed to hydrate the skin and relax the body, preparing the mind and body for a good night’s sleep.

Sacred Tranquility Ritual, $150 at The Royal Hotel (Royal Hotel.ca).

hotel

home gym

For those concerned about maintaining their fitness or training regime while traveling, Fairmont Vancouver Airport offers the Fit on the Fly Suite. Rooms feature Peloton bikes, Fitbench One (compact strength training kit that includes benches, dumbbells, kettlebells, and elastic bands) and yoga mats. Guests will also receive gym clothing upon check-in, tools for in-room hydrotherapy after a workout (essential oils for hot showers, ice cubes for cold baths), access to sound therapy machines, and healthy in-room snacks, including Fresh fruit and homemade snack bar.

from $329 www.fairmont.com.

obsessed

drainage system

I recently dealt with an early morning video call (7am) ​​and a long flight (14 hours), both of which had me thanking Toronto-based brand Ember Wellness for their Sculpt and Glow bar. Made with shea butter, grapeseed oil and other ingredients, including skin-soothing chamomile flowers, this moisturizing bar is shaped like a sand scraping stone. After warming the stick on the back of your hand to soften it, you can apply it with a lymphatic drainage action—gently glide it across your chin, from chin to temple, and from nose to temple under the eyes. These actions help move lymph fluid, which reduces puffiness, while the zero-waste stick melts slowly on application, revitalizing and leaving skin radiant. “We like to call it the last step in skincare and the first step in makeup,” says company founder Amanda Schuler. “It’s also great for weather changes and when you’re experiencing environmental stressors like wind. Plus, it’s really fun to use”

Ember Sculpt and Glow Bar, $29, via emberwellness.com.

investment purchase

soft landing

Re-entering the world of moderately competitive physical activity (read: pickleball) got me thinking about footwear, and more precisely the cushioning my shoes provide. The bounce provided by On’s newest runner, Cloudsurfer, made it a lot easier for my trainer to keep reminding me to stay alert. The shoes are designed specifically for running, with technology that analyzes impact pressure on the body and how different materials compensate for this movement. The result is a foam midsole created to dampen impact. An added bonus is that the design eliminates structural elements typically used to build midsoles, meaning the shoe is lighter and uses less material in its construction.

Cloudsurfer shoes, $199.99, via on-running.com.

Business

capsule collection

To complement their appetite for health tech gear, whether it’s a Fitbit or a fancier treadmill, Silicon Valley investors are pouring money into developing supplements. “Venture capitalists who have made their fortunes in software and hardware are pouring tens of millions of dollars into companies that make probiotic pills, plant-extract-filled capsules, and other nutritional supplements as a potential new field,” David Ingram wrote for NBC News report. A poll of parents by the University of Michigan last year found that 50 percent of respondents said they were giving their picky eaters supplements like fish oil and probiotics to make sure they were getting enough nutrition. But the medical community and health regulators warn against the use of these products because there is often little clinical evidence to support the health claims made by manufacturers.