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Trying to beat insomnia? Get better sleep with these 7 relaxing therapies

We all know Singaporeans sleep badly, so here are seven relaxing therapies that can help help you relax and unwind (or at least, make it an enjoyable experience trying!)

By Karen Fong - 

Credit: Rekoop
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We all know the drill, for years statistics and research have been telling us that Singaporeans get awful sleep. Last year, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy called it a public health crisis, citing a recent survey of 43 cities and sleeping habits which showed that Singapore was the third most sleep-deprived city. Only one in four people are getting more than seven hours of sleep daily, and only 17 per cent of respondents sleep through the night.

While it’s easy to dismiss the stats and argue this shows we are working harder than everyone else, that doesn’t translate well health-wise. Lack of sleep has been associated with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and has even been linked to issues with obesity. 

Fortunately, there has been a greater push lately to make sure better sleep is being incorporated into our wellness routines – or at least to ensure our wellness routines aid in better sleep. But it’s not just therapies and treatments that can help, it also has to start within. “More has to be said about rituals and routines,” says Kathy Gabriel of Soma Haus, who has noticed in the last three years, an increase in clients who report challenges such as insomnia, restless sleep or difficulty winding down.”The cues that we give our brain and body are important. At Soma Haus, we emphasise a holistic approach to sleep health. Regardless of what treatment they are coming in for, we always encourage clients to also focus on stress management, sleep hygiene and body awareness. The more tuned into themselves the easier it is to know what pillar of rest they should focus on.” 

The treatments listed here are not just about finding the deepest form of relaxation, they are also about creating rituals that can help you shut the outside world out and focus on winding down.

1. Soma Haus (multiple treatments)

Over in the East at Soma Haus, the wellness sanctuary offers a number of treatments which founder Kathy Gabriel says can help in improved sleep quality; these are floatation therapy, hyperbaric chambers and craniosacral therapy. While the first two are quite well-known (floatation therapy is being immersed in a saltwater bath that causes the body to feel a sense of weightlessness, and hyperbaric therapy is a chamber containing increased pressure so your lungs can gather more oxygen), craniosacral therapy is less well-known and involves a therapist working on the body’s craniosacral system including the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. “When people struggle with sleep, their cerebrospinal fluid (which is what moves the metabolic waste in our brain) doesn’t flush properly and impacts the entire body and the nervous system. CST works a lot with down-regulation but also structural change, promoting relaxation and reducing stress, both of which are critical for better sleep,” explains Kathy. 

Credit: Soma Haus

2. “Sleep at Hyatt” at Grand Hyatt Singapore

Checking in for staycation just to get a better night’s sleep might seem indulgent, but it sure would be fun in the newly renovated hotel’s sleek rooms featuring blackout curtains and firmly comfortable beds. The sleep package includes a curated Sleep Kit from wellness brand iKOU which is designed to promote deep relaxation and calm the mind. “True wellbeing begins with a good night’s sleep,” says Thea Wong, Director of Wellbeing. “Sleep at Hyatt brings this vision to life, creating a unique sleep experience that combines the best in natural relaxation products with the tranquil surroundings of our reimagined hotel.” Some key essentials included in the Sleep Kit include sleep-friendly tea infused with chamomile and lavender, best enjoyed before bed, a destress room mist of lavender and geranium and Sleepyhead Aromatherapy Pulse Points Roll-On.

Credit: Grand Hyatt Singapore

3. Keiraku Head Massage at Ikeda Spa

Derived from a 2,500 year-old that targets energy pathways in the head, this 45-minute head massage treatment offers a range of benefits associated with better sleep including relieving stress and improving focus, and energizing the mind and body. It is even purported to boost your immune system. The treatment is meant to improve the flow of stagnant qi, which if prolonged, can lead to illness. The massage is a special combination of Shiatsu and Japanese dry head massage technique, and includes deep pressure as well as gentle pulling and combing of the hair. The feeling of the comb and the gentle tugging is definitely relaxing, helping to release tensions as you drift into a quick nap. 

Credit: Ikeda Spa

4. Hideaway at New Bahru’s “The Sleep Well” Retreat

Newly-opened at New Bahru, Hideaway is a sleek retreat on the fifth floor offering cold plunges and massage packages in a modern, calming environment. The Sleep Well retreat is a 90-minute treatment that is deeply restorative, starting out with a magnesium-based salt soak. A shower steamer from local brand Savan Bath is also placed in the bathroom to infuse the room with the relaxing scent of lemongrass. After this, The Classic massage is administered with long strokes and kneading to improve circulation. The warm bath helps to prepare the body for further relaxation, easing muscle aches and keeping the body warm during the treatment.

Credit: Hideaway

5. COMO Metropolitan Singapore’s “Sleep Dreams” package

A 3-night package that also includes use of the hotel’s beautiful spa facilities, this stay comes with an in-room SleepHub, a device which plays low-frequency sound waves that help guide you into sleep as well as help wake you up at an optimal stage in your sleep cycle. The package also includes 60-minute COMO Shambhala Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and 60-minute Contrast Therapy which are great to ready the body for better sleep and aids in natural healing. Inside the room, guests will also receive a COMO Shambhala Slumber Pack.

Credit: Como Singapore

6. Rekoop (multiple treatments)

Wellness centre Rekoop offers three treatments that help with sleep mainly by promoting relaxation and also improving circulation. Their infrared saunas promote relaxation and aids in the release of toxins which can then in turn enhance sleep. Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers are known to boost energy levels which can improve sleep over time. Red Light Therapy is probably the most targeted of their offerings as it is known to regulate circadian rhythms (which promote balanced sleep patterns). It targets cellular mitochondria and boosts energy production, which can help other cells in the body work more efficiently. 

Credit: Rekoop

7. Moomin Deep Sleep Dry Head Massage

With two centres, one in Vivo and one in Funan, Moomin specialises in Japanese dry head massage, which is designed to enhance sleep quality by promoting relaxation and alleviating mental fatigue. It’s also been known to improve muscle pain, anxiety and even improve skin tone with their patented massage technique. Unlike most massages, this one does not involve any kneading techniques and is focused mainly on soft pressure with stretching actions. These are directed to specific points on the scalp to induce relaxation. The new Tension Relief Wellness treatment is specifically tailored to those who spend long hours at a desk (aka “office syndrome”) and targets tension in the head, neck and shoulders.

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