Wellness breaks now a vital part of boardroom strategy
Things started to give away for a 48-year-old senior consultant at a Big Four firm who had been pushing through the grind for years, dealing with chronic back pain, gut trouble, and stubborn weight issues. "Between the constant travel, client pressure, internal fire-fighting, and late nights, I could feel my body wearing out," he said.
"I finally took a step back and spent a week at a wellness retreat in Kerala-no screens, no junk, no noise. Just rest, clean food, and some space to think." What really pushed him to go? "I kept seeing friends-people in high-pressure roles-suddenly facing major health scares. That fear stayed with me. I didn't want to wait till it was too late," he added.
From the global chief technology officer of a retail giant to an aviation CEO, more and more CEOs and CXOs are opting for
wellness breaks
, vipassana sessions and retreats that lead to improving their mental and physical wellbeing.
Kairali Ayurvedic Group has seen an estimated 25-30% increase in visits from CXOs, business founders, and senior professionals to its wellness village in Kerala over the past 18-24 months, said executive director Abhilash K Ramesh. "Today's high-performing professionals often navigate relentless schedules, chronic stress, and lifestyle-related imbalances. Many are turning to Ayurveda not just for recovery, but to sustain performance, build resilience, and prevent long-term health issues," he added.
Mridula Jose, vice president, for product development and marketing at CGH Earth Wellness, said CEOs and CXOs average 8-9 individuals in a month at each clinic. Medical and wellness programmes offered at CGH Earth Ayurveda start at 14 days with most people on a 21-day programme. At Prakriti Shakti, clinic of Natural Medicine by CGH Earth in Kerala, wellness programmes start at 7 days and medical programmes start at 10 days. Most executives are on a 14-day programme.
Leaders are also turning to Vipassana. Nikhil Sharma, MD and COO of South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group, said he began practicing Vipassana a few years ago for greater clarity and balance.
"In an industry like ours where agility and empathy must go hand in hand, Vipassana has reinforced the importance of being fully present, making decisions with calm objectivity, and connecting with people more authentically. It's not about stepping away from the business, but about showing up with heightened awareness," he added.
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