A holiday always sounds appealing, but especially to someone who tends to drown in the quicksand that is their workload. Naturally, a trip somewhere relaxing beckons when we can feel our stress mounting. The will to persist may elude us, whether we’re stepping into another Monday or sitting in the thick of winter. Alas, we can’t exactly drop our duties and jet off to paradise right there and then…or can we? If we can’t manage to get ourselves to a rejuvenating vacation destination, then perhaps a virtual reality massage can bring it to us instead.
On this week’s Wellness Wednesday, we spoke to Nadine Hocter, founder of Sheer Bliss. She pioneered the corporate massage at your desk with a virtual reality experience. Essentially, Nadine and her team can transport you to the beach without you having to submit a leave request. She discussed the innovative ways in which this technology can improve productivity and transform corporate wellness for the better. Who would have thought you could enter relaxation mode in the same space as deadlines and paperwork?
A virtual reality massage is the product of an ancient practice combined with a futuristic delivery
Massage therapy has been practiced for centuries, and its use has traveled far and wide for everyone’s benefit. The combination of rubbing and loosening your body’s muscles and tissues turns on your parasympathetic nervous system. When this happens, your stress levels lower, and you feel like you can breathe again. Hence, why we may feel compelled to book a session with a massage therapist. That being said, Sheer Bliss takes this relaxation to a new level.
A virtual reality massage involves a physical massage therapist but adds a high-tech flair to this spa treatment. You will wear a VR headset and receive a massage while being transported to a completely different environment with a 360-degree view. Your destination of choice can be anywhere from the beach to a forest, but your experience of it will be completely immersive.
Nadine explained how virtual reality combined with massage stimulates the senses (sight, sound, and touch). Effectively, Sheer Bliss ensures that you enjoy a physical massage on the beach while seated at your desk.
A pioneer in bringing a piece of paradise to your desk
Sheer Bliss has specialized in corporate wellness since its inception in 2006. They aim to bring wellness to the workplace through touch. However, they felt that they needed something to future-proof their service – given the continuous progression of technology – and VR was the perfect fit.
Nadine shared that it was not an option to strip the human element of massage therapy. This is because women’s empowerment is a focal point for the business. Using VR keeps them up to speed with technological trends whilst retaining their well-equipped and valued staff.
What’s more, Sheer Bliss is the first of its kind to combine a VR headset with a massage. They use their own content (including some natural South African scenes) to create different VR landscapes. An immersive and impactful virtual visit to the Robberg Nature Reserve is only one of many rejuvenating options.
A virtual reality massage a day keeps sick employees away
Burnout is something that most people can relate to in one way or another. But a massage can help return someone to a happy space and provide a recharge. Nadine discussed how their surveys have indicated an improvement in staff morale and a reduction in sick days.
This (literal) hands-on treatment is believed to serve as an antidote for some symptoms of stress (and high blood pressure is one of them). Alarmingly, many studies have linked hypertension with work (particularly working type and working hours). However, separate research conducted on women with pre-hypertension indicates that massage therapy is a safe, effective, and affordable means of controlling blood pressure.
Additionally, massages seem to look out for not only your health but your sense of trust within the workplace, too. Nadine added that their massages help your body release oxytocin (your love chemical) in your work environment. Therefore, from a neuroscience perspective, you begin to associate these feelings of love and trust with your work family.
Furthermore, there’s a final serotonin cherry to add to this peaceful cake. The Sheer Bliss team will leave you with a piece of delicious fudge and a renewed sense of happiness. All in all, having a massage creates a healthy employee. A healthy employee creates improved productivity. It seems like nobody loses in this massages-at-work scenario, especially if the Sheer Bliss team is delivering it.
If you want to recharge without being touched, Sheer Bliss has got you covered (soon)
Some of us are all about relaxation but don’t want to be touched to get it. Thankfully, Sheer Bliss hears this massage-averse crowd loud and clear. The company’s next goal is to assist those suffering from burnout who do not particularly like massages or being touched. They are hoping that their soon-to-be-launched wellness app will achieve this.
Nadine explained that the app is a game designed to take your mind off the present moment. Essentially, it will create the same recharging effects as the massages, but sans being touched. It creates a space where you can focus on your thoughts and take control of your feelings to move forward with your day.
Nadine Hocter, Founder of Sheer Bliss
“There are people who don’t particularly like massage, but there are benefits of taking a break and a pause to get your mind into a calmer state. [It can help you] deal with big decisions, small decisions, or just face the rest of your day. Sometimes, you could be feeling good already. [So] you want to be able to maintain that mood [to] be the best version of yourself for your workday. [We want to achieve this with] our new app,” described Nadine.
What types of massage options are on offer?
The Sheer Bliss team is made up of exceptionally trained therapists whose offerings come in different forms and lengths. Corporations looking to treat their employees to a Wellness Day can delight in spoiling them with a virtual reality massage option of their choosing.
Their “6 Minute Moment Massage” is designed to increase productivity in a short space of time. However, a longer recharge is on the table too. Their “My Spa To You” option involves completely transforming the office into a spa for the day to unwind. Regardless, Sheer Bliss promises to provide the most blissful of outcomes.
A virtual reality massage may be the calming pill we all need
It can be borderline soul-crushing to realize that any chance of a holiday drifting on the horizon, out of reach. But Sheer Bliss proves that you can access it without having to leave or a nearby weekend handy. Perhaps a quick stop to the mountains (and a massage) will give you the right push you need the next time a deadline approaches.
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