4 Unique Wellness Activities to Try Now in New York City

New York City is a mecca of wellness hotspots. Nowadays, good-for-you and buzz-worthy activities around town include a sequence of yoga, spinning, and meditation. There’s nothing wrong with these classics (after all, they are classics for a reason), but sometimes it’s nice to spring for a new pursuit that’s refreshing and unexpected! Read on for BWB’s curated roundup of unique wellness activities to try in the heart of Manhattan.

Halotherapy at Montauk Salt Cave

90 East 10th Street, 2nd Floor

Enter a state of perpetual bliss at this gem in the East Village. Halotherapy is a natural way of healing health issues such as inflammation, asthma, allergies, cystic fibrosis, headaches, the common cold, and more. Here, there are two salt caves filled with around 13 tons of pink Himalayan salt.

“The elevated minerals in the cave such as magnesium and potassium work directly with the nervous system to sedate it, which makes meditation much easier,” says in-house expert Piper Kupersmith. “Even if you’re not meditating, it can bring you to a meditative state without you realizing it. Most people who come out are wowed by how they slipped into a deep sleep.”

There’s little to no effort required to relax thanks to the magic of salt air. Just lay down on the zero gravity chairs (you might have to scoot up to hold the backrest in place), throw on a red fleece blanket, and zen out for 45 minutes. The space resembles a campfire scene under a blanket of star-like twinkling lightbulbs with pink Himalayan salt surrounding the walls and floor. Don’t forget to wear a pair of cozy socks.

Oxilogica Treatment at Nunzio Saviano Salon

768 Madison Avenue

The scalp plays an essential role in the health of hair, but it is often overlooked. Hairstylist Nunzio Saviano created the Oxilogica Treatment at his namesake salon in the Upper East Side to change that. The treatment includes four key steps (detox, nourish, stimulate, and replenish) using plant-based ingredients to strengthen the scalp and boost hair growth.

“Over the past ten years, I’ve seen in my clients and discovered through research that 40% of women over the age of 40 are experiencing hair loss,” says Saviano, who worked with a Milan-based chemist to create the oxygen-infused treatment.

“To me, I don’t see the process any different than getting a facial, something that we don’t usually think twice about. You have to hydrate your skin and doing this scalp treatment carries the same idea.”

What makes the treatment so innovative is the oxygen-molecule machine on site. It feels like a cool shot of oxygen combing through and massaging each part of your scalp. After the one-hour treatment, you’ll be re-energized and ready to go. A consultation (which comes with the session) will advise you on a specific routine to maintain scalp vivacity.

CBD Enhanced Swedish Massage at The Red Door

663 Fifth Avenue

In a city as busy as New York, it seems like one can only dream of an actual oasis. The Red Door on Fifth Avenue turns this dream into a reality with a number of penthouse massage rooms close to a rooftop garden (cue the oohs and ahhs). Recently, the spa teamed up with Color Therapeutics to offer cannabidiol (CBD)-enhanced services, including the tried-and-true Swedish massage.

The plant-based, cruelty-free CBD oil balances the mind, body, and spirit. With long, cascading strokes, the 50-minute massage is efficient in helping to relax muscles. It is also said to increase collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health. Of course, everybody responds to CBD in a different way; one may feel more relaxed while someone else may not notice a difference at all. The Color Up Therapeutics goods sold at the spa can also be used at home to treat tense shoulders, foot pain, or arthritis.

Somadome Meditation, Modrn Sanctuary

12 West 27th Street

Breathe in, breathe out. Ahhh, meditation… Perhaps the most popular wellness activity of all. For a unique twist on this classic practice, Modrn Sanctuary is one of the few places in the world that offers Sarah Attia’s Somadome meditation pod.

Not to be mistaken for a nap station, this high-tech machine is so much more. First of all, it looks like a futuristic Jetson-style mini spaceship complete with LED color therapy. Once you step inside, you can put on the noise-canceling headphones and choose your intention from the digital screen. For example, want to enhance productivity? Select the blue option focusing on “Mental Performance” to help motivate, overcome, and succeed.

Pop in during your lunch break for a midday pick-me-up—but it’s just as effective anytime, really. The 20-minute session uses guided meditation and binaural meditation (ultra-relaxing, pulsing sound patterns that can easily transport your mind to a blissful place). You might even feel as if you’re flying above the clouds.