For Lavenderoom, I explore Blue Mind Therapy — because if there’s one everyday wellness ritual I’ll never let go of, it’s water.
It started with a book. I was flipping through Blue Mind, a deep knowledge into the way water affects our brains, when I had one of those, of course, moments. I have always been drawn to water. Give me the ocean, a steamy shower, a swimming pool or even the sound of waves, and I instantly feel lighter.
The spiritual side of me believes water washes away negativity, which is why I scrub my body with salt after a long day—it’s my way of resetting. As it turns out, science agrees.
It is said that the Blue Mind state isn’t just a poetic idea—it’s real. Water lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), slows heart rate, and triggers dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical. The movement of water—the way it ripples, waves, or even just trickles—has a hypnotic effect, pulling us into the present moment. But this isn’t exactly new knowledge. As wellness travel hits $1.4 trillion by 2027, luxury hotels and wellness retreats are diving deep into water-led rituals that go far beyond the spa jacuzzi.
Why now? Studies show blue spaces (oceans, rivers, pools) restore mental health even more than green spaces, offering a powerful antidote to burnout. And with travellers prioritising mental well-being, this is the escape people are searching for.
Henri Chenot, the French wellness expert and founder of the Chenot Method, understood the healing power of water decades ago. His philosophy? True wellness isn’t just about one thing—it’s about a mix of detoxing, hydrotherapy, nutrition, and movement. At Chenot Palace Gabala in Azerbaijan, a global award-winning wellness retreat, his approach remains the gold standard, with hydrotherapy as a key pillar of renewal.
Last April, I experienced it firsthand at Chenot Palace Gabala, where the water therapies were transformative. Floating in mineral-infused pools, I felt my stress dissolve. Even aqua yoga and water workouts were a fun, low-impact way to move, stretch, and reset. No wonder water fitness is the big thing — it’s gentle yet impactful, leaving you stronger, calmer, and totally refreshed.
A few years earlier, I visited the SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain, where hydrothermal circuits and floatation therapy left me feeling brand new.
At my recent professional meet, I was discussing water-centric wellness terms with Ms. Aparna Gupta, a Mumbai-based consultant who works with beauty and wellness brands and is the founder of Lavenderoom. I told her- water isn’t just about indulgence—it’s about transformation. From ancient Roman baths and Japanese onsens to Ayurvedic water rituals, people have relied on its healing powers for centuries. Now, luxury wellness retreats are taking it even further, combining age-old traditions with the latest science.
One of the most unexpected—and buzziest—water therapies? Ice baths. And they are not just for elite athletes anymore. At Anantara Qasr Al Sarab, deep in the UAE’s Empty Quarter, the Desert Ice Bath Experience is redefining wellness. Imagine plunging into ice-cold water, surrounded by golden dunes. It’s intense, shocking—and surprisingly meditative.
Corrine Laurette, Director of Spa & Wellness at Anantara Qasr Al Sarab, explains: “At Anantara Qasr Al Sarab, our Desert Ice Bath Experience offers more than physical recovery; it fosters mental clarity and resilience. Rooted in the belief that in the healing properties of water, the practice highlights water’s ability to enhance calm and focus. Cold immersion intensifies this effect, stimulating deep breathing, sharpening awareness, and balancing the body’s stress response. Elite athletes have long incorporated ice baths into their routines to accelerate muscle recovery and enhance performance.
Our Ice Bath Experience is one of the most popular offerings, and guests seek this experience not just for the physical benefits but for its restorative impact on the mind. As holistic wellness evolves, water-based therapies serve as a powerful tool for renewal. Guided by our expert team, each session ensures a safe, enriching journey into the healing power of water.”
Another resort, Kuda Villingili Maldives, encourages surfing rituals — set beside the famous Chicken’s Break, where surf culture meets luxury wellness. Research shows surfing reduces anxiety and depression — and what’s more stylish than a surfboard against an endless turquoise horizon?
I believe water is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for staying healthy and living longer. Staying hydrated supports overall health and “longevity” — a wellness trend that has only grown stronger, with the global wellness economy now valued at over USD 5.6 trillion. Today, wellness is no longer seen as an indulgence but as a necessary investment in long-term health.
Now, after experiencing water healing effects in so many forms, I understand why. Water doesn’t just refresh the body; it recalibrates the mind. Maybe that’s why, no matter where I go, I always find my way back to it.
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