Corinthia Hotel London and ESPA Life at Corinthia have teamed up with neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart to host a year-long ‘Neuroscientist in Residence.’

A leadership coach and senior lecturer at MIT, Swart has worked with the hotel and flagship spa to create ‘Brain Power Packages’ that focus on neuro-nutrition, restorative sleep, hydration, mindfulness and exercise.

The packages will include mindful massage and yoga nidra packages at the spa, as well as a ‘Brain Power Menu’ at the restaurant, where Swart has created a menu based around neuro-nutrition – incorporating food and drink that will boost the health and performance of the brain, such as fat-rich avocado, salmon, olives and full-fat milk and butter; protein-rich eggs; magnesium-rich nuts and seeds; hydrating melon and lettuce; and cognition-boosting coconut oil and dark leafy greens.

Swart worked with spa director Laura Vallati to develop treatments specifically designed to encourage mindfulness, reduce stress, enhance focus and promote mind balance and positivity.

Swart will also advise staff at the hotel, as well as regular guests, including high-profile business leaders and VIPs, analysing how each group copes with stress. The resulting data will generate a Brain Power Study at the end of Swart’s residency.

“Given that we sit on the world stage here, and we welcome guests from all four corners of the globe – and we have people who are here on tight, tight, tight timescales in demanding jobs – we thought it would be fantastic to put the spotlight on mental wellbeing and how to get the most from your brain,” said Fiona Harris, director of international public relations for Corinthia Hotels. “...To our knowledge, this is a world-first – I don’t actually know of any other hotel that has done this and invited a neuroscientist in to study guests and staff alike.”

Additionally, Swart will host four talks at the hotel for guests and media to look at how the science of the brain can be applied to topics such as politics, technology and business, and highly valued, loyal guests of Corinthia will be able to have one-to-one taster sessions with Swart on how to achieve peak brain performance and gain a competitive edge by focusing on an integrated approach to the brain-body connection.

“As a neuroscientist, I am fascinated by how the human brain works, and as a leadership coach, I advise people whose professions or lifestyle mean that mental resilience is essential and expected,” said Swart.

“It’s hugely exciting to be researching this in more depth and in broader sectors in partnership with Corinthia Hotel London. Developing resilience in the workplace is about investing in the development of people and ensuring the brain-body connection is taken into account in an integrated approach to leadership, life and work.”