Forget mud masks and cucumber slices. The latest wellness trend is inviting people to relax… like cows.
In September, American organic dairy brand Stonyfield Organic will launch the world’s first “Organic Cow Spa.” For $120, visitors will not only get to interact with and hug cows, but also experience farm life themselves for a few hours — complete with massages, aromatherapy, foot treatments and outdoor walks, The Post reports.
The unusual spa experience will be available for a limited time at Rainbow Valley Farm in Sidney, Maine. According to the brand, the concept is based on the principles of care used for organic cows: fresh air, sunlight, plenty of space, natural food and the opportunity to rest outdoors.
“The Organic Cow Spa was inspired by the idea that organic cows have the space, fresh air, sunlight and nourishment they need to live a fulfilling life,” Christina Drosiak, Stonyfield’s director of public relations and consumer engagement, told The Post.
The goal is for visitors to embrace the same philosophy: slow down, disconnect from their devices, spend time in nature and simply relax.
“It’s not about literally feeling like a cow, but about experiencing firsthand the principles of care at the heart of organic farming,” she emphasized.
Naturally, cows will be at the heart of the experience. Research suggests that petting and brushing cows can reduce anxiety and promote the release of oxytocin, the hormone associated with social bonding and often dubbed the “love hormone.”
Spending time with animals can also boost feelings of happiness and may even help reduce pain. And the benefits apparently work both ways: studies show that cows are generally receptive to human interaction.
The massage offered at the unusual spa will be inspired by treatments cows themselves receive, particularly brushing and grooming.
For the animals, grooming is about more than appearance. Brushing can help reduce stress, lower the risk of mobility problems and udder inflammation, and research suggests it may even have a positive effect on milk production.
For humans, similar treatments are intended to promote relaxation, improve circulation and help reduce inflammation.
Another part of the program will be a walk around the farm, followed by time in a pasture-inspired space designed for meditation and journaling.
Guests will be encouraged to “adopt the lifestyle of an organic cow” and spend time outdoors while taking in the surrounding nature.
Cows, incidentally, spend a remarkable amount of time resting: they can lie down for up to 16 hours a day.
Humans probably do not need quite that much downtime, but regular time spent in nature has been linked to a range of health benefits.
The experience will also include a treatment organizers jokingly call “hoof care.” Visitors will receive a relaxing foot treatment inspired by the way farmers care for cows’ hooves to prevent pain and mobility problems.
The session can be capped off with a fresh green juice, which guests will be served while they unwind.
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