Miraval Resorts & Spas and Humin Set New Standard for the Future of Measurable Wellness with Groundbreaking New Study
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The majority (66%) of surveyed Miraval guests reported reduced perceived stress levels post-stay with 62% of the sample asserting they experienced benefits even at 60 days post-stay.
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Nearly all guests (95%) who were studied reported a strong sense of belonging post-stay, with more than 70% responding that they formed new, meaningful connections while on site.
In a world driven by relentless pace and constant pressure, many of today’s wellness travelers are seeking more than a momentary escape and are demanding experiences that deliver lasting, measurable impact. Miraval Resorts & Spas, a pioneer in the destination wellness space for over 30 years has revealed results from a groundbreaking third-party research study that suggests immersive wellness retreats like those at Miraval resorts are positively correlated with reduced perceived stress, strengthened mindfulness, and reported wellbeing benefits lasting even months after a stay1. The study was led by Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations), a global nonprofit leader in wellbeing science, founded by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson.
Among the first of its kind, this landmark research sets a new benchmark for the hospitality industry. Results, as outlined below and in the published report, demonstrate that certain reported wellbeing outcomes correlate positively to a Miraval stay, with research by Humin’s team of scientists indicating that retreats can potentially be viewed as evidence-based investments in wellbeing.
In a world where employee burnout is estimated to cost the global economy more than $322 billion (Gallup2), and an environment characterized by a ‘loneliness epidemic’ (Harvard3), these findings come at a critical moment when individuals, workplaces and communities are re-thinking wellbeing and seeking more meaningful ways to recharge, realign and reconnect.
Key Findings:
Wellness That Lasts
Humin’s study suggests that a stay at a wellness resort is not just an indulgence but could be a smart investment in personal wellbeing. While, anecdotally, wellness resort guests often report feeling less stressed after a stay, this study suggests a correlation between a stay at a Miraval resort and a reduction in self-reported stress levels. Guests self-reported feeling less stressed, with 62% of those who participated in the observational, longitudinal study perceiving a reduction in stress even at 60 days post-stay
The Power of Connection
In accordance with Humin’s study methods, including the Healthy Minds Index4, connection is central to wellbeing. The study found that 95% of surveyed guests reported that they experienced a sense of belonging within the Miraval community post-stay, while over 70% self-reported that they formed new friendships and authentic connections with fellow guests and/or resort colleagues.
Shifts in Mindset
The research suggested that retreats can foster enduring personal growth. Gains in mindfulness5, connection, awareness, and self-efficacy were reported by surveyed participants well after their stay, equipping guests with skills to manage stress, enhance performance, and find meaning in daily life.
Organizational Impact
Broader industry research correlates wellbeing and job satisfaction with reduced burnout, fewer ‘lost days’ at work, and enhanced human performance6. Humin’s study suggests a connection between a Miraval stay and improvements in wellbeing and job satisfaction, with a scientifically significant number of guests reporting increased job satisfaction when surveyed post-stay. The study thus supports a growing body of research, suggesting that prioritizing wellness and fostering uniquely human abilities such as purpose and self-efficacy may contribute to individual and organizational success by way of improved job satisfaction. (Deloitte7, McKinsey8)
Transformative Activities
Surveyed guests who participated in Miraval experiences such as equine therapy, creative expression, meditation, and outdoor adventure reported incremental benefits from reduced stress9, improved wellbeing4, and/or increased mindfulness5.
Through our strategic collaboration with the Miraval brand, we’re elevating the standard of research in hospitality. This study provides actionable scientific measurement insights for Miraval resorts’ immersive wellness experience, and shows how organizations can leverage wellbeing science as a tool to achieve measurable impact
Humin CEO Christina Glavas
Research Methodology
Research findings are based on a study conducted by Humin that explored the lasting wellbeing impact of a Miraval stay through qualitative interviews and multi-timepoint surveys. A total of 266 guests completed pre-stay assessments, with 176 of those guests participating in two-week and 60-day follow-ups. The study applied the Healthy Minds Framework—Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose, suggesting that wellness retreats can potentially be a powerful method to provide sustained wellbeing. Participants who completed the research study were offered a $500 resort credit toward fee-based offerings during a future stay at a Miraval resort.
What Guests Are Saying
Respondent guests reported deeply meaningful experiences, with some describing their stays as ‘life-changing’, ‘invigorating’, and ‘enriching’. One guest reflected they were ‘able to connect with myself in a way that I have not done before’, another described being empowered to ‘follow my own path’, while several highlighted how their experiences continued to positively impact them post-stay, with a guest ‘incorporating my learnings into my day-to-day life’. Another reflected that ‘disconnecting’ from their digital devices was supporting their ‘healing journey’.
For over 30 years, Miraval Resorts and their colleagues have been dedicated to creating transformative wellness experiences that help our guests build resilience, clarity, and balance in their lives. We are thrilled to collaborate with Humin on this compelling data-driven research that suggests the impact of immersive wellness, validating what we’ve seen firsthand for decades—that time spent at Miraval resorts correlates to meaningful, lasting benefits for mind, body, and spirit
Simon Marxer, Vice President Spa & Wellbeing at Miraval Resorts
Read the full research findings at and learn how to experience the benefits of this study at a Miraval resort.
Explore the wellbeing science behind the study at https://www.humin.org/case-studies/miraval.
