Six Senses Vana in northern India has launched a series of wellness retreats designed to help execs recover from burnout, regain focus and lead with greater purpose. Olivia Palamountain reports

Increasingly, leaders are recognising that peak performance depends not on working harder, but on restoring balance — a realisation that underpins the philosophy at Six Senses Vana in Dehradun, where a quiet revolution is unfolding among the world’s most overextended executives.

Set in a forested valley at the base of the Himalayas, the hotel has designed burnout retreats for CEOs and entrepreneurs seeking respite from decision fatigue, digital dependency and the relentless pressure of leadership.

The retreat’s philosophy is built on a simple premise: that sustained success begins with self-care. Guests exchange tailored suits for the retreat’s loose white pyjamas and the glow of screens for the stillness of nature. Days unfold through a bespoke blend of high-tech diagnostics and high-touch therapies, guided by ancient traditions and modern science.

Each programme begins with a detailed consultation and biometric wellness screening, which informs a personalised pathway designed to address individual goals — from managing stress and improving sleep to restoring mental clarity.For those grappling with chronic stress, burnout or inflammation, targeted programmes such as Sleep, Detox and Tibetan Medicine begin at five nights, while deeper transformations in Weight Management or Ayurveda span 14 to 21 nights and may include the traditional Panchakarma cleanse.

Practices like meditation, sound therapy, breathwork, and functional movement are interwoven with evidence-based interventions, creating a holistic experience that supports both body and mind.Mark Sands, Six Senses’ vice president of wellness, said the shift reflects a new era of leadership values. “No longer are CEOs sacrificing health in pursuit of success,” he said. “What we do at Six Senses — and especially at Six Senses Vana — is give guests the knowledge and tools to reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them. Leadership today requires presence, perspective and compassion, and those qualities are strengthened when we pause and restore.”Rates at Six Senses Vana start from US$570 (around £474) per night, with a three-night minimum stay. Packages include a wellness screening and consultation, all meals, one daily treatment, access to smart bio-hack tools such as compression and tension-release therapies, plus airport transfers to and from Dehradun.