Guys, how are you sleeping lately?
Many professionals, including yours truly, most of the time find their careers leading them into longer work hours and juggling multiple projects, which in turn also means constant screen time. This frequently translates to heightened stress levels and, more often than not, poor sleep quality. But prolonged sleep deprivation doesn’t just leave us feeling groggy and fatigued – it actually has profound effects on our overall health.
Many studies, like one done by the National Institutes of Health in the US, indicate that insufficient sleep is linked to numerous physical or mental conditions, from cognitive dysfunction, and even the increased risk of chronic illnesses.
That’s why sleep health is an essential component of wellness – something I was reminded of during my family’s stay at The Farm at San Benito.
My husband Nonong and I recently took part in The Farm’s Sleep Induction Therapy program, designed for individuals dealing with sleep issues. If you’re just like me, a full night’s sleep is something we don’t get as much as we should.
As someone who believes in holistic healing and integrative medicine, I was eager to experience The Farm’s program firsthand. And I wasn’t disappointed – the therapy truly was transformative, and offered us a natural, gentle way to reset sleep cycles and improve overall health.
Experiencing sleep induction therapy
The program we underwent combined traditional healing techniques with modern, cutting-edge technology, offering a comprehensive approach to promoting better sleep. One of the standout therapies for me was Relaxology, a soothing massage designed to melt away stress and tension. Using long, rhythmic gestures, the therapist gently leads one’s mind into a peaceful, trance-like state.
My husband found his new favorite wellness treatment: The Farm’s sensory deprivation water pod. Filled with epsom salts, one can easily float about in peace and relaxation.
The program also introduced us to more advanced therapies, such as Brain Biofeedback and The Farm’s proprietary Vital Dome. It was fascinating!!! The Brain Biofeedback scan analyzes the electromagnetic fields produced by neural cells in our brain, identifying any potential imbalances that could be affecting sleep patterns. The Vital Dome, on the other hand, utilizes far-infrared technology – emulating the same benefits we get from sunlight that occur naturally during sunrise and sunset – to raise the body’s internal temperature, promoting detoxification, relaxation, and, of course, better sleep.
The Farm doesn’t just focus on physical treatments – there is also an emphasis on personalized coaching and holistic health consultations. Through these one-on-one discussions with integrative doctors, guests like my husband and I were given the chance to delve into the root causes of sleep issues. The consultations address not only physical well-being but also psycho-emotional and spiritual health, to help create a sustainable plan to maintain wellness long after leaving the retreat.
My husband, Nonong, particularly enjoyed the sensory deprivation water pod experience, which allows the body to float effortlessly in water saturated with 454 kilograms of Epsom salt. This floating therapy not only relieves muscle tension, but it also improves our skin!
Even weeks after the treatment, our skin remained smooth and supple! It’s all thanks to Magnesium, the key component in Epsom salt, that is known for its muscle-relaxing properties. It’s well known to promote lightness and relaxation.
For my Nonong, this treatment was a favorite, combining physical restoration with a profound sense of peace.
Living and eating with wellness
(L-R): The salads at their wellness restaurants — ALIVE (vegan restaurant), PESCE (pescatarian restaurant), Prana (vegetarian restaurant) and Upperdeck (whole food, farm fresh) — always have a twist! Their plant-based burger is one of the best burgers I’ve ever tried!
Beyond the sleep induction therapies and its other wellness treatments, The Farm is renowned for its commitment to healthy living through its plant-based cuisine. The resort’s restaurants, including the vegan “ALIVE!” and pescatarian “PESCE,” emphasize a farm-to-table philosophy. The food alone felt like an extension of the wellness journey! Each dish is rich in phytonutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants, all put together to boost the body’s nourishment, and support its natural detoxification processes.
Should my family and I get the chance to return to The Farm, I would love to explore their living foods preparation classes, which teach guests the benefits of plant-based eating and how to prepare nutrient-rich meals at home. These classes, led by the resort’s “living foods” chefs and nutritionists, are designed to empower guests to continue their wellness journey even after they leave.
The Farm also offers a variety of wellness workshops, covering topics such as stress management, emotional healing, and art therapy. Led by integrative doctors and holistic practitioners, these workshops immerse guests in the full spectrum of wellness practices.
I found it inspiring that The Farm doesn’t limit these workshops to its in-house guests, where they also extend these educational talks to local communities as part of their corporate social responsibility. These efforts are important in empowering individuals, not just with knowledge, but with practical tools to improve their own well-being.
The Acqua Wellness program combines two of my favorite things – wellness and family bonding. Perfect for families like ours!
Their sleep induction therapy program was the reset I needed, helping me find a harmonious blend of traditional healing, cutting-edge treatments, and a holistic approach to health.
The fam’s favorite at The Farm: Acqua Wellness
While the sleep therapy program was a personal highlight, my family had the time of their lives with The Farm’s Family Acqua Wellness regimen. This two-hour session of water-based therapies is designed not only to promote physical relaxation, but also foster emotional bonding and joy. It was the perfect way for Nonong, myself, and our three girls to unwind as a family while enjoying some unique and soothing treatments.
The Acqua Wellness program combines two of my favorite things – wellness and family bonding. Perfect for families like ours!
The regimen consisted of a variety of water therapies that we all found both fun and incredibly relaxing. My favorites are probably the water acupressure and the ring water
treatment. The sensation of water pressure targeting different parts of the body in rhythmic pulses was deeply therapeutic and it’s one of the first treatments I would suggest to anyone’s first time at The Farm.
The future of Philippine wellness tourism
Our time at The Farm showed me the many things our wellness tourism sector can offer tourists all over the globe. I believe it holds great potential to transform the lives of many people – from the guests and the tourists, to our fellow Filipinos working in it.
The range of treatments and wellness programs offered at The Farm are just a microcosm of what the Philippines can offer as a wellness destination. Talking to other guests during my stay only strengthened my belief in the future of wellness tourism here, too.
The Farm’s own Global Head of Sales, Jennifer Sanvictores — one of the sector’s leaders now playing a pivotal role in the recently established Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines (WeTAP) — is a source of assurance that this new initiative is in the right hands. WeTAP aims to promote the Philippines as a world-class destination for wellness tourism, and I am excited to see Filipino hospitality and holistic healing recognized at the global stage.
One of The Farm’s Acqua Hydrotherapy facilities. These outdoor provisions are seamlessly placed within the resort’s nature-inspired layout, adding a refreshing layer of tranquility to the experience.
Experiencing The Farm reaffirmed for me that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s about finding what works for your body, mind, and soul. My family and I are glad to have had the opportunity to visit The Farm, which provided us with the tools and environment to discover that balance.
The lovely food, peaceful ambiance, and the proudly Filipino-inspired architecture makes The Farm one of the best relaxation places to share with your loved ones.
This makes me confident in the future of wellness tourism in our country, and I look forward to seeing it flourish, and help provide better lives to more fellow Filipinos who are dedicating their talent into this line of work.
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