I love going to spas. No, not the kind that are advertised in the back of local newspapers, but the real kind that are luxurious retreats from the outside world. Periodically being in a place that is specifically geared towards helping me relax and recharge while being extremely comfortable is as close to perfection as possible: fluffy robes, soft towels, salt rooms, wet and dry saunas, different temperature hot tubs that get hotter and hotter, cold plunge pools, lounge chairs, hot towels for your face, rainfall shower heads…
When you’re immersed in the spa those features may seem like they’re geared for your body, but it’s your mind that is getting a radical change of pace as well.
Imagine if you could use that different mindset for your work. How about integrating some elements of the spa into where and how you get work done?
Introducing the Work Spa.
Much of today’s most important work (if not all) involves creativity. The Work Spa is about being in an environment, periodically, that enhances your creativity while also being conducive to getting work done–if you want.
Could you be more effective immediately after a series of hot and cold plunges in the different pools? Would you stimulate a latent part of your brain and be able to better solve problems because you’ve never tried to find a solution while you’re sitting around in a robe and towel surrounded by eucalyptus steam?
There are plenty of movies where the two power brokers in some financial transaction go into a steam room, so let’s take that idea to the current times.
A simple start would be putting wi-fi and laptop lockers in existing spas and having a section where the keyboard clicking wouldn’t interfere with the silent portion. What else would your ideal work spa have?
