Wellness

With the spa and wellness travel industry expanding faster than overall travel tourism, Paul Joseph, co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel looks at the growth of spa and wellness tourism and how spas must now innovate to stay ahead of the curve for customer demand.

“Like stepping into another world…” is how nutritionist and author Lola Berry describes her experience when she first visited Aro Hā. No surprise there as this health retreat is quite literally heaven on (middle) earth, as it is set upon the ethereal backdrop of Glenorchy, New Zealand, host to towering mountain ranges, Lake Wakatipu and yes, Lord of the Rings and Narnia. 

Ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat”? This is because what you feed your body has a direct effect on your health and your state of mind. So your daily nutrition choices make a huge difference to your health and how you feel now, tomorrow and in the future. Free Soul, the UK’s leading female nutrition company, explains the importance of nutrition, and how to feel great using the power of healthy eating and living!

Healthandfitnesstravel.com features in the Independent's 50 Best Travel Websites, with author Rhiannon Batten 'seeing the world the smart way', recommending healthandfitnesstravel.com in the article that leads readers where to 'bag a bargain and load up on local knowledge'.

Travelling is one of the most popular “life goals”, and having the nomadic lifestyle is certainly one of the best ways to see the world.

Over the course of the last year, we have seen the engagements in our calendars rescheduled and eventually shelved indefinitely. From small everyday events like a cup of coffee with a friend or a trip to the gym to international events such as the Olympics, our routines came to a halt in an indiscriminatory way – nobody has been free from the effects of the pandemic. Given the frequently changing lockdowns and tiers, it’s easy to see how our perception of time has completely changed. It has meant many of us do not know where the virus year/s have gone. It is hugely down to the fact we separate time with distinguishing occasions – ‘the summer my son had his graduation’ or ‘it was the year we went to Dubai’… Without occasions, one day merely leans into the next, and the next, forming no memories.

On a slightly more optimist note, whether COVID-19 entered our lives or not, there are so many mental health and wellness benefits of having a holiday to look forward to which include:

Up market all-inclusive holidays are all the rage in travel with lavish comforts, delicious cuisine and stunning locations. The destinations in which all-inclusive holidays are offered varies from far flung destinations, like St Lucia, to Thailand but they all include delectable food in sumptuous comfort, and quality and value is no longer a necessary trade-off, as the best of both worlds can now be enjoyed.

With our father's stomachs slowly expanding and their backs gradually bending, Father's Day couldn't have come any quicker. The perfect gift this Father's Day is not only to express to our dads how much we care and how we actually do acknowledge their existence, but it is also the opportunity to encourage them to take more time out of their stressful routines and look after themselves for a change.

Travel is synonymous with adventure, self-expansion and wonderment at the world around us – but that’s not to say it doesn’t involve long transfer times, tender moments and the need to take rest every once in a while. How to combat this? Try our short yoga sequence each day at a time that suits you and whether you’re on your way to a yoga holiday or not, it’s a sure fire way of combating the trials and tribulations of travel. Soon you’ll be waving goodbye to the effects of uncomfortable travel transfers and instead aligning to your true purpose. So wherever you are in the world, try our simple yoga sequence to keep feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

Elli Soumaki

Elli has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of spa, fitness and wellness. She is Spa Director at the Six Senses Spa, at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort. An integral role as the wellness facilities are a central part of this retreat’s ethos and allure. Holding this position since 2004, Elli also currently works as the getaway’s Area Director since 2011. She graduated from the University of Physical Education and Science in Athens and achieved a Masters in Sports Management from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Elli has been a member of the Greek national swimming team and always actively promoted the goodwill and spirit of the Olympic games. A true believer that our health and the overall state of wellbeing can be enhanced via exercise, movement, nutrition, and holistic treatments, to fulfil your mind, body, and spirit.

From the Sanskrit meaning "The knowledge for long life", traditional ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Hindu healing system that is widely regarded as the oldest form of healthcare in the world. It aims to improve one's health and well-being by creating a balance between mind, body and spirit through an assessment of lifestyle.

From the Sanskrit meaning "The knowledge for long life", traditional ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Hindu healing system that is widely regarded as the oldest form of healthcare in the world. It aims to improve one's health and well-being by creating a balance between mind, body and spirit through an assessment of lifestyle.

Executive Business Coach and Life Wellness Coach Lyndall Mitchell, shares some great advice on mindfulness and wellbeing for Health and Fitness Travel a topic on which she is an expert as the founder of Aurora Spas, one of the most renowned and successful luxury spa companies in Australia, and ASPAR, a spa brand stocked throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as being the spa brand of choice for Qantas.

Finding time for health and well-being can be challenging in our fast-paced modern lives. However, a captivating trend known as "snackable wellness" has emerged, showing how individuals cleverly incorporate small, manageable doses of healthy habits into their busy schedules.

With the importance of mental and physical health at an all-time high, and the uncertainty of travelling abroad, the recent rise of the wellness staycation comes as no surprise. The current pandemic has shown how important it is to give your mind and body time to rejuvenate and recharge, and booking yourself a wellness holiday on home turf is proving to be the ideal option. Providing you with the tools to eat well, drink well, exercise, and boost your immunity through therapies and treatments, you can take care of your body and get your holiday fix without the hassle of travelling overseas. 

Whether you want to lose weight or detox, relax or be pampered, then there's no better place to be than a spa. In recent years, spas have grown in popularity as more of us are putting health and well-being high on the list of our everyday priorities. In addition to exercise, we are looking for new ways to improve our general health and the spa experience offers a whole range of treatments and facilities which will help us to reach our goals and relax our bodies and minds. But just why are spa holidays so popular and what can we expect from a spa experience today?

Susan d'Arcy

Susan d'Arcy has been writing for the Sunday Times for over 20 years, about luxurious spas and travel. As a spa expert she enjoys sharing her tips and insights about the best therapists, spas and treatments, on her very informative, yet entertaining blog, Spa Confidential.

Next time you go abroad, make it a life changing journey! Forget simply sitting by the pool – that’s for the old you; we’ve put together our favourite wellness retreats that endeavour to help you to change your life. Whether you want to catalyse a new body, take up yoga, quit smoking, de-stress or turn back the ageing hands of time, we’ve got the healthy holiday for you!

At Health and Fitness Travel, we understand the importance of prioritising self-care and finding balance in today's fast-paced world. With stress and anxiety rising, we know Gen Z are seeking ways to prioritise their well-being and find a balance. These top 5 wellness retreats for Gen Z have been handpicked, so you can disconnect from the demands of daily life and reconnect with yourself. Get ready to kick back, recharge, and have a blast while caring for your mind, body, and soul.

Today we’re going to be looking at some of the best mental health retreats around the world for men. Primarily, how they might be able help you or someone close to you recover from or tackle any mental health issues they may be dealing with, for a brighter, healthier future. Did you know, The Mental Health Foundation found that in England around 1 in 8 men suffer from common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?