The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has unveiled a new Sleep Initiative, just in time for World Sleep Day.

The initiative will first focus on uncovering factors that contribute to restorative sleep and sharing tips on how to incorporate these into lifestyles, homes and hotels around the world.

Allison Howard, founder and CEO of wellness linen company Nollapelli, has been appointed co-chair alongside Francisco Levine, chief business officer of smart-bed supplier Bryte.

“Sleep is not just a piece of wellness, it’s fundamental to wellness,” said Howard, “because sleeping well is the ultimate preventative medicine and contributor to good health.

“Restorative sleep is linked to lower body weights, improved mental and physical health, stronger immune systems and lower risk of chronic diseases.”

The initiative is aiming to publish guidelines that govern the design and operation of hotel rooms to make them more conducive to truly restorative sleep.

“Looking ahead, the team will explore the interplay between sleep and other pillars of wellness, such as diet and exercise, and discuss evidence-based categories of products and services to help ensure restorative sleep,” said Howard.

The sleep industry has boomed during the pandemic, with a host of accessories, services and solutions to help more people achieve more restorative sleep – some retailers have reported a 200 per cent growth in demand for sleep products.

As of 2020, the Global Wellness Summit designated Senses, Space and Sleep as a US$49.5bn component of the US$120.8bn mental wellness economy.

It’s suggested this recent demand stems from people’s sleep being adversely affected by the effects of lockdown restrictions, including increased social isolation and strained mental health.

Lockdown has also provided people with the time to reflect on how healthy their sleep routine truly is.

With this in mind, the new GWI initiative has launched into action by interviewing experts and compiling tips on how to organise ourselves and our environments to make the most of the time we spend asleep.

Howard revealed the first interviewee will be elite sports sleep coach Nick Littlehales.

The GWI Sleep Initiative team

The initiative co-chairs will also be joined by a team of six other supporting members including:

– Dr Michael Breus PhD – Double board-certified clinical psychologist and clinical sleep specialist, known in the US as ‘the sleep doctor’. Breus has previously been tapped for insight by Oprah, Dr Oz, The Doctors, NY Times and Wall Street Journal

– Dr Param Dedhia –Canyon Ranch’s executive health expert, integrative medicine practitioner and director of sleep medicine. Prior to this role, Dedhia spent 10 years at Johns Hopkins in internal medicine, gerontology, obesity medicine and public health

– Thom Downing – Owner of Focused Individual Trainers with over three decades of experience coaching high performers. Downing has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Kinesiology and is certified in Athletic Training, Strength & Conditioning, and Nutrition

– Tammy Pahel – Founder and principal of Spa Management Solutions and VP of spa and wellness at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

– Dr Rebecca Robbins – Sleep researcher and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital

– JD Velilla – Senior director of Sleep Experience & Technology for Tuft & Needle and resident sleep expert for Serta Simmons Bedding, which includes the Serta, Beautyrest, Simmons and Tuft & Needle portfolio of brands.