A LITTLE NYC OASIS: SALTHAUS
4 min read

A LITTLE NYC OASIS: SALTHAUS

Halotherapy. Ever heard of it? Well if you haven’t, your world is about to be shaken up. 

I am a sufferer of seasonal allergies - every few months, I get hit with a wave of bodily nuisances consisting of a sniffly nose, a cough, and some post-nasal drip (ew). It takes me off my feet for a day or two, and always seems to take weeks to clear up. I can never seem to get rid of that lingering cough and congestion fast enough. 

However, after coming back from a 10-day vacation to Italy and suffering from a hit of allergies, I discovered my new, hot tip: Salthaus, a little oasis located on the Upper East Side. 

A halo session at Salthaus is just amazing, as it offers a multitude of benefits - it aids in easing allergy and cold symptoms, boosting your immune system, enhancing the health and appearance of your skin and regulating sleep. Seriously, could you find anything better? With undeniable benefits across the board, 45 minutes in this little heaven isn’t enough - in fact, they suggest you visit once a week for best results.

The space

I couldn’t help but take a moment to really focus on the space because it was beautiful. There were two rooms: one available for bigger parties or sessions with your little ones, and the other smaller one for a more 1 on 1 relaxing experience. The floor was completely filled with pink salt and the walls were lined with mesmerizing pink salt bricks. Plus, they gave you the cutest little socks to cover your toes.On the walls of the halotherapy room, there are guided breathing exercises for you to practice if you wish, as well as a mirror in the lobby where you could write your intention for the session. Genius. 

So what exactly is it?

To put it simply, it’s just 45 minutes of absolute bliss. I was greeted by the sweetest staff member and whisked away to a room filled with pink salt. I sat in a zero gravity chair, wrapped in a weighted blanket, with a light-blocking eye mask over my eyes, and a pair of noise cancelling headphones filling my ears with the sounds of waves crashing to the shore. No cell phones. No one else around. Just me and my thoughts - pure peace and quiet, which as you may know, is truly a luxury in New York City. As my session began, dry, salty air was circulated within the room to recreate the microclimate of salt caves. I could instantly feel the salt working its way through my nose. It was similar to that peaceful feeling of falling asleep on the beach whilst breathing in the salty air.I was so relaxed that I fell asleep and woke up to the gentle nudge of a staff member letting me know my halo session was over. I could have easily stayed there for another hour or two. 

The aftermath

Instantly I could feel the salt working through my body. My sinuses were clearing up, and the next morning I woke up and my cough was completely gone. Truthfully, I couldn’t believe it. I immediately made a mental note to keep this in mind for future allergy attacks. Not only did I get a relaxing experience but my symptoms were pretty much gone.

*Note: The results from my experience were personal and specific to my body, as I was at the end of an allergy attack. Amber, the co-founder of Salthaus, suggests 2-3 halo sessions will be most effective in really knocking out a bad cold or allergy attack.

I can feel your halo

No, but really, Beyoncé was not far off. I felt lighter, clearer, and best of all, my cough and stuffy nose were nowhere to be found. I am so excited to go back to Salthaus, even if it’s just to experience 45 minutes of complete zen. In this crazy world we live in, it’s important to find our own oasis that’s just a hop or a skip away. 

OLIVIA MUTH IS A DAUGHTER, SISTER, FRIEND, CO WORKER, CITIZEN OF THE WORLD BASED IN HOBOKEN, NJ. HER CLAIM TO FAME IS PLAYING WILLY WONKA IN A 2008 COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (DM FOR PICS). WHEN SHE'S NOT BUSY MAKING NICE THINGS, SHE LOVES TO CATCH UP WITH HER FRIENDS & FAMILY, WATCH GILMORE GIRLS RE-RUNS, AND SING & DANCE AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS TO ANY SONG THAT COMES ON THE RADIO. SHE LIVES BY THE GOLDEN RULE (THANKS, DAD!) AND HOPES THAT ONE DAY SHE'LL LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE DOES THE SAME. FOLLOW HER JOURNEY @OLIVIAMUTH