Passport and visas, check. Flight times and seat bookings, check. Housesitter, check. Bookings for forest bathing, sleep therapy, mindful hiking, cryotherapy and infrared saunas on the trip, double-check!
For many travelers today, holidays aren’t complete if they don’t leave space on the itinerary for wellness travel experiences. They’re saying goodbye to a quick massage between destinations, and hello to tailored wellness programs.
Considering the health benefits of travel, it makes sense. Research has long shown that travel can be beneficial for stress, enhance brain function, creativity and mindfulness, increase our level of activity, help us to focus on self-care, and meet the need for a sense of purpose and belonging.
Paul Joseph is the founder of Health and Fitness Travel, a specialist tour operator for wellness breaks. In recent years, he says, there has been a boom in wellness travel. “Far from the ‘fly and flop’ wellness holidays of old, we’re able to send customers on a hand-picked retreat that includes a tailored wellness program–from personalised nutrition and exercise plans to one-on-one coaching and holistic healing therapies.”
As we continue to seek options to live healthier, happier lives, this change in attitude has led to a dramatic shift in the industry, allowing for new ways to accommodate travelers. This is particularly true as individuals are starting to understand better how simple lifestyle changes can have a
