A Derbyshire entrepreneur is set to open the Midlands’ first bee therapy pod, offering a natural approach to easing the anxiety and stress caused by everyday life.
Kristina Samuels, who has spent many years keeping bees on her land in Barrow upon Trent, is launching Beeconscious, a unique wellness experience that invites guests to unwind in a specially designed wooden cabin known as a bee air therapy pod.
The concept, which is already creating quite a buzz locally, is simple yet striking. Visitors lie on beds positioned above active beehives, breathing in warm, fragrant air while listening to the steady hum of thousands of bees below. The gentle vibrations and low-frequency sounds are believed to help calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and support better sleep.
Kristina said: “Anxiety is something so many people are struggling with right now. This offers a completely natural way to help people relax and switch off.”
She added: “I have been a beekeeper for many years and have always found being around the hives incredibly calming. Creating a space where others can experience that felt like a natural next step.”
The bee pod also offers Beecura, an innovative way to breathe in the beehive air directly through a mask. Research shows that using this system can aid respiratory issues and allergies. Beecura is the first device of its kind to be medically approved to administer beehive air in the UK that is safe for humans and the bees. Beeconscious is the first in the UK to offer this system.
Kristina has built a strong local following through her range of infused honeys and bee pollen products sold across Derbyshire and Leicestershire, including popular herbal honeys, and this latest venture is set to take flight officially on 1 May.
Beekeeping, however, was not her original path. After years in corporate roles, and working in the construction industry, she discovered a very different pace of life among the hives and quickly became captivated.
The bee therapy pod marks the next step in that journey, offering an experience that can be shared. The pod includes two beds, allowing visitors to relax together and let their worries drift away while surrounded by the soothing rhythm of the hive.
Bees enter and exit through separate pathways, ensuring the experience remains completely sting-free and allowing guests to feel fully at ease.
Kristina added: “Many people ask if the bees are actually in the pod with you! I am not sure that would be a very relaxing experience, and the answer is a resounding ‘no’. However, there is a chance of one flying past you at some point during the booking!”
The therapy itself draws on apitherapy - the use of bee-based products and environments for wellbeing. Kristina trained in Europe widely regarded as a global centre for the practice, before bringing the concept to the Midlands.
Therapy sessions will begin from 1 May, priced at £60, with bookings already open. There are also plans to collaborate with Loughborough University to explore the potential health benefits in more detail.
Interest in beekeeping and its wellbeing benefits continues to grow, with high-profile advocates including David Beckham and Stacey Solomon helping to bring the practice into the spotlight.
Kristina said: “If people leave feeling calmer and more relaxed, that is exactly the kind of buzz I am hoping to create.”
For more information or to make a booking, please visit: https://www.bee-conscious.co.uk