Jackie Roby answers all our wellness travel questions. We tapped her to help us be better able to map out and understand what we should be looking for when it comes to true wellness travel. I see wellness travel as replenishing the mind, body, and soul. One of the gifts of this type of travel is that what you learn adventuring can then be implemented at home.
There is a lot of wellness washing in the market. A hotel with a spa does not equal wellness; neither does one with a fitness center. Yes, a spa treatment or workout can be part of a wellness experience, but is the hotel truly offering wellness? This can be confusing for travelers who are looking for accommodations or experiences that are actually invested in their wellbeing. On the flip side, there is an assumption that wellness looks a certain way. I hear a lot of talk around yoga, spas, sad salads, and boot camps.
A guide taking their group on a hike could be crafting a wellness experience, as it allows for grounding in nature and mindful movement. Maybe they set an intention prior to the hike, stop in a scenic space to journal, or set aside time for a meaningful group discussion. These are simple things that can change the dynamic of a trip. When searching for a true wellness travel experience, keep these three things in mind: food, movement, and peace.
Look for food that nourishes your body; this can look like gluten-free or vegetarian meals. There should be a balance to the plate, too. If you live to eat, not eat to live, search for creative preparations with added touches like roasted butternut squash with pomegranate seeds, tahini dressing and greens or barley lentil kale soup or raw cacao and walnut truffle bits β dessert can be healing too! Movement can be many things like hiking, tai chi, swimming, yoga, or aqua spinning; the choices are endless.
The fun is discovering a way to move our bodies that brings us joy. Many immersive wellness resorts are designed to enhance movement naturally: there are more stairs and fewer elevators, buildings are further apart to increase walking, and there are inclines to challenge the body. By the end of the stay, your body has soaked up the goodness of additional activity. Finally, those moments of peace. How can we find peace during these travels? It can be a room with blackout shades and a pillow menu designed for restful sleep, or energy treatments at the spa.
