What Is a Sleep Retreat? How People Are Using Vacations to Catch Up on Rest

What if I told you that some people are taking their vacation days — not to travel, not to see family, and definitely not to Instagram their latte — but simply to sleep? Sounds extreme? A new survey shows that 43% of millennials are doing exactly that, using paid time off just to catch up on rest. Yes, you read that right: almost half of us are treating vacation like a desperate plea for sanity. And honestly… Can you blame them?

And it’s not only millennials. The idea of a “sleep vacation” has become so popular that hotels and even luxury resorts are marketing sleep retreats. Some offer guided meditation, blackout rooms, and optimized sleep environments, like The Ritz-Carlton’s Sleep Wellness Program, or smaller boutique retreats such as The Well in New York, where workshops and private consultations are designed to help guests get deep, restorative rest. From Miami to the Maldives, people are traveling to get what should be the most basic human right: a good night’s sleep.

But you don’t always need a fancy resort to prove the point. One Thursday afternoon, my neighbor — a preschool curriculum adviser with three kids — told me she was sending her children to her mom for the weekend. I asked if she was going away. She said, “No. I’m staying home and sleeping for three days. A vacation doesn’t mean traveling for me. I need my bed, my comforts, and quiet.” I silently cheered. Amen, sister.

Another woman I know had a busy season. Between work, the holidays, and marrying off her daughter, she was running on fumes. What did she do? She quietly checked herself into a hotel for two nights. She told no one. She brought take-out, a good book, and turned her phone off like it was a tiny little switch to sanity. For her, the highlight wasn’t luxury or sightseeing — it was uninterrupted sleep. Glorious, guilt-free sleep.

I’ve been there myself. Years ago, when I had babies — especially that first year, when nobody slept through the night — a few days of minimal rest left me completely wiped. I actually ended up with strep throat more than once. My body basically shouted, “Listen lady, rest or pay the price!” Sleep isn’t just about feeling groggy the next day — it’s about keeping our immune system strong, our bodies healthy, and our minds somewhat functional.

The truth is, our bodies crave rest, peace, and quiet. Between kids, jobs, sick days, holidays, and endless commitments, uninterrupted sleep is a rare luxury. Chronic sleep deprivation affects mood, focus, memory, and overall health — and yet, so many of us keep pushing until there’s nothing left in the tank.

Chronic sleep deprivation means your body isn’t getting enough rest to fully reset and heal. Sleep is when it balances hormones, repairs tissues, and restores energy. When that process is constantly interrupted, everything feels harder — including managing your weight.

When you’re sleep deprived, you’re not lazy — you’re in survival mode. You’re too tired to plan, too drained to cook, and too overwhelmed to think clearly. That’s when we start reaching for the easy stuff: sugary snacks, caffeine, anything that gives a quick boost. Your body isn’t betraying you; it’s begging for energy.

Sleep deprivation also affects your mood. You’re crankier than a toddler who missed nap time. Anxiety spikes. Self-esteem drops. Even small decisions feel like climbing Everest in flip-flops. No wonder we reach for comfort food—or just give up altogether.

Enter “sleep debt.” Think of it like a bank account. You can withdraw sleep hours by staying up late, but your body eventually demands repayment. Problem is, unlike a bank, it doesn’t offer flexible payment plans — and IOUs are not accepted.

Catching up isn’t as simple as sleeping in on the weekend. Extra rest helps, but prolonged sleep deprivation leaves cognitive and physical impairments lingering for days. Sleep debt can take up to two weeks to fully recover. Can’t sleep eight hours on Saturday and Sunday and think you’re back to normal. Nope. Your body needs consistent, quality sleep. (Trust me — I’ve tried, cried, and failed.)

Maybe this is the wake-up call we need: instead of treating rest as an afterthought, we should prioritize it daily, like meals or work deadlines. For some, that might mean taking a weekend just to recharge at home. For others, it might be a formal sleep retreat. Either way, sleep is an investment — one that pays off so we can actually use our vacation days for what they were meant for: joy, connection, and adventure. Not just recovering from exhaustion.

Want to learn more about how food affects sleep? Check out my blog: How Does Food Influence Sleep?

And if you feel like it’s time to take your sleep seriously, feel free to book a complimentary call with me here: https://calendly.com/chevymermelstein/30min