"Well-Being Certified" Airbnb, VRBO and Other Rental Properties (2 min read)
Well-Being in Rental Properties
The past few months have seen many individuals, us included, take extended breaks and work from different locations as life continues to offer the opportunity to work remotely. Why not use the time to explore the world (with and without travel restrictions.) In some cases individuals have stayed with family or friends, or in other cases rented properties through Airbnb, VRBO, or other rental property services.
At Birch Cove we focus on enhancing well-being in business and this extends to considering eight different dimensions of well-being. To achieve optimum well-being we must experience balance in these areas: physical, social, emotional, spiritual, financial, environmental, functional, and intellectual.
Environmental Well-Being
Birch Cove defines the definition of environmental well-being for businesses as understanding that surroundings for living and working make a difference to the well-being of individuals, organizations, industries, communities, and societies.
Address “sick buildings”, materials used, indoor air quality, water filtration systems, cleanliness from floor to ceiling, bathrooms, kitchens, eating spaces, small desk spaces, packed-in buildings, people volume, plants inside, rest spaces, relaxation places. Meeting current standards is no longer acceptable. The standards have to change.
Assess how your business environment enhances or detracts from the other well-being dimensions for individuals.
Adapt and refine workplace design and bring in natural elements to encourage healthy behaviors, collaboration, and creativity among individuals.
Provide education and practical steps and programs for individuals to implement at home.
Become aware to how external environments can become integral to experiences and seeks ways to bring the outdoors indoors.
Well-Being in Architecture
On our recent travels we have been more focused and considerate about the environmental dimension of well-being. The environment and the buildings we spend hours of time living and working in have an impact on our well-being. We are becoming rapidly more selective about where we live and work and this trend will continue.
The Global Wellness Institute is hosting the first ever Wellness in Real Estate symposium next week on Tuesday September 28th in New York. The symposium will take an in-depth look at the supercharged demand for “well” homes and communities. The architecture firm Vera Iconica is also involved and are pioneers in the wellness architecture. Their expertise is “to design experiences that enrich our clients’ lives in harmony with nature. Our evidence-based approach is proven to positively impact daily habits, rituals, behaviors, mindsets, moods, as well as overall comfort and wellbeing.” What a tremendous focus! To learn more, watch this video by Founding Principal Veronica Schreibeis Smith of Vera Iconica as she talks more about “Wellness Architecture”.
The very popular British television series “Grand Designs” featured an episode on a healthy house in Richmond (London, England) a number of years ago. This gives you deeper insight and understanding into the elements to consider when building a house for high allergy sufferers. However, we believe that the term “Healthy House” will be in increased demand for those not just with allergies but for many who choose to want to live in healthier environments that support their overall well-being. We are on the edge of a healthy living tipping point.
At Birch Cove we have begun the creation of a “Well-Being Certification” checklist to be applied for any rental property. A list of items for businesses and hosts to consider when offering rental properties and getaways, as well as for consumers to ask questions and demand higher standards when searching to rent a property or stay somewhere. Imagine if you could set the filter on Airbnb to show which properties were “well-being certified” and you understood what that consisted of. Airbnb has an “enhanced clean”, “superhost” and “airbnb+” status, let’s add “well-being certified” as a fourth filter.
What criteria is the most important for you? Have you experienced renting a well-being focused property?
Well-Being Certification Checklist
The more the property can attest to the greater the certification accreditation received.
Air filters in every room
HVAC / central air filtering system
No presence of mold or damp in the property visibly or invisibly
Water filter for entire property including shower and bath water
Off-gased furnishings (i.e. furnishings that are older than 1 year to ensure reduced chemical off-gas)
Natural disinfectants in use and available for use
Hepa filter vacuum
Hypoallergenic bedding
Organic sheets
Organic towels
Sustainable tissues in every room
Organic sustainable soaps and bath products
Water filter pitcher
Alcohol-free sanitizer wipes
Locally sourced products where available
Organic tea & coffee
Organic spices, olive oil, salt and pepper
Recycling of paper, glass, metals and plastics (a shocking number of properties in the U.S still ask for all trash to be thrown away together)
Private outdoor space with trees and greenery
White noise machine in bedrooms
Elements of nature indoors; nature sounds, scapes, and visual cues
Washed floors, bed coverlets & duvets, cleaned door handles, switches and remote controls (these seem to be the items often forgotten in rental properties)
Quarterly deep eco-cleaning of upholstery and carpets with hypo-allergenic products
No pets
Circadian rhythm sensitive lighting
Cool and warm lighting options to reflect daytime and nighttime light
Wi-fi and hardwired internet switch options (for EMF sensitive sufferers)
Minimum electrical appliances in the bedroom (for EMF sensitive suffers and benefits to all for improved sleep)
Well-being gift on arrival with a variety of well-being inspired treats for guests to indulge (something Birch Cove is an expert in. - Think essential oils, sleep masks, and journals.)
Let us know in the comments below which criteria are important to you? What do you wish you could find in a well-being focused property, have you stayed in a property that meets all of the above well-being criteria? .
Be well, live intentionally
Birch Cove is not a medical or therapy based business, we do not offer guarantees of any kind. We are not responsible for the well-being of businesses or individuals that read, watch, or hear our content, or take part in sessions, or use our services or the services we highlight. Birch Cove and our Collective members are not responsible for the physical and mental health and well-being of individuals we interact with directly or indirectly. We work to share best practices that inspire healthy living and revitalize a quality of life.