Well-being

If you’ve spent months in front of a computer screen, attached to your phone and surrounded by hustle and bustle of city life, a rejuvenating beach spa holiday could be exactly what you need for a healthier and happier you!

The best part is, there are many health benefits of holidaying by the sea. Contrary to what some may think, beach holidays can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being, with a variety of ways to enjoy your surroundings, from jogging in the sand to swimming in the sea.

To detox or to not is a reoccurring debate in the wellness community. The standard argument against detoxing is that our bodies naturally remove waste and toxins on a daily basis. This is correct. However, the same way our bodies produce energy to sustain our daily activity levels - every now and then, we need to hit the refresh button.

With the popularity of detoxing growing in recent years, there seems to be an equal amount of recommendations and warnings, both for and against the process. Here at Health and Fitness Travel we are all for detoxing which, far from another fad-diet; is simply the encouragement of a natural bodily process that if approached correctly can lead to a number of healthy benefits.

Our co-founder Paul Joseph gives his reasons why holidays are so healthy for us and how a break away can offer more health benefits than you may realise.

A holiday is far better for your health than you might think. Naturally, being the co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel, I strongly believe in a holiday's power to give you benefits which outlast your tan. You not only have the chance to escape from the stresses of daily life, but you can stimulate your mind with a new culture and learn healthier habits. It's a great chance to not just relax, but also to improve your physical and emotional well-being, and return home with fantastic memories.

The words colonic hydrotherapy can often strike fear in to the faces of non-practitioners, even though this is a fantastic way to restore that good gut feeling. With a better understanding of the numerous health benefits this cleansing treatment can bring, even the most wary adversary will find themselves tempted to convert.

A world away from extreme fad diets, healthy eating is all about making gradual changes you are happy with, helping you to develop dietary habits that you can live with long-term. Here at Health and Fitness Travel we believe you get out of your body what you put in to it, and with our gut often dubbed the body’s ‘second brain’, you may be surprised at the range of benefits and advantages healthy eating can bring.

The use of water for therapy is no modern procedure. In fact, is has been carried out for hundreds of years and now forms an integral part of traditional medicine practises. Nonetheless, many of us are unfamiliar with the concept of hydrotherapy and how exactly it can benefit our health and well-being. 

By definition, hydrotherapy is the use of water to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being. A number of therapeutic treatments and approaches draw upon the healing properties of water for pain relief, making use of the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli. On the whole, cold water is used to stimulate and invigorate, increasing the body’s internal activity, whereas warm water is used to calm and soothe, slowing it down. Alternating between hot and cold water treatments can help to heal injuries, enhance various bodily functions and reduce any inflammation.

From Europe to the Caribbean, many of the world’s leading luxury spa holidays offer hydrotherapy suites giving you the opportunity to take advantage of the many positive effects of water therapy. Hydrotherapy encompasses a variety of treatments, including the use of hydrotherapy pools, thermal baths and water circuits, saunas, steam rooms, ‘experience showers’ and more, which can all help to improve a number of conditions. Modern day therapies are also enhanced with extras such as aromatherapy or Epsom salts. Thermal water circuits have a range of jets and water features which massage the body, stimulating the lymphatic system and flushing toxins whereas cold plunge pools or artificial ice and snow rooms will activate the body’s circulation.

5 Health and Healing Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

To experience the benefits of hydrotherapy yourself, we recommend our top five healthy holidays that provide wonderful hydrotherapy treatments. The magnificent location and surroundings of all of these destinations, combined with the outstanding facilities create the perfect retreat where health and wellbeing is the primary focus.

5 Spa Holiday Destinations for a Unique Hydrotherapy Experience:

Spain: SHA Wellness Clinic

The pioneering SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain prides itself on offering distinctively tailored destination spa wellness holidays and focuses on encouraging healthy habits long-term. During your stay, you can enjoy full use of SHA’s hydrotherapy circuit where you can experience the benefits of therapeutic pools, the Tepidarium, sauna, calidarium, feelings shower, hydro-massage beds and Turkish baths, all surrounded by the resort’s beautiful Zen garden.

More information: View SHA Wellness Clinic

India: Ananda in the Himalayas

The spiritual retreat of Ananda uses a combination of holistic spa treatments, yoga, meditation and healthy cuisine to improve guests’ overall well-being on an Ayurveda spa holiday with over 80 body and beauty treatments available. What’s more you can enjoy daily use of the hydrotherapy facilities, including the temperature controlled outdoor lap pool.

More information: View Ananda in the Himalayas

Portugal: Palacio Estoril

Palacio Estoril is popular for it's world-renowned Banyan Tree Spa in the Estoril Wellness Centre. Lots of spa treatments are available as well as a selection of hydrotherapy treatments, whether you relax with a Jet Shower or a Vichy Shower Massage, these treatments do leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. With these treatments available in most programmes at Palacio Estoril, there is something for everyone.

More information: View Palacio Estoril

St Lucia: The BodyHoliday

The BodyHoliday, a very popular destination for a singles spa holiday, strives to deliver a personal service of spa treatments, therapies and activities based on the four pillars of exercise, a good diet, restorative beauty and relaxation. Every programme provides you with a hydrotherapy session included at the award-winning wellness centre, as part of your complimentary daily spa treatments.

More information: View The BodyHoliday

Italy: Lefay

Nestled in the resort of Gargano, overlooking the scenic Adriatic coast; retreat within the luxury of Lefay Retreat in Italy. After rejuvenating in the eco-friendly wellness centre, continue your water wellness journey on a healing spa holiday as you experience the benefits of hydrotherapy, with the option of a variety of detoxifying treatments also available. Become one with the mouth-watering cuisine, including personalised dietary plans and an optional intolerance test to further enhance your experience.

More information: View Lefay

Portugal: Longevity Medical Spa

Experience this heavenly destination for yourself on a reviving spa holiday spent in the quiet and calm atmosphere of Longevity Medical Spa in Portugal. Embrace the goal of overall wellness on relaxation and pampering spa holiday as you treat your body to rejuvenating hydrotherapy treatments, accompanied by nourishing slimming meals. Go the extra mile with detox treatments and aesthetic medicine, before taking five with a dip in the hydrotherapy bath's mineral-rich waters.

More information: View Longevity Medical Spa

 
If you’re still in search of the right destination for you, explore our collection of worldwide spa holidays where many offer hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy and other water wellness therapies. Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfect spa holiday with hydrotherapy.

Joseph Pilates, the method's founder, said, 'Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. In order to achieve happiness it is important to gain mastery of your body.'

Going without solid foods for several days can seem like a scary and daunting prospect to many, but juice fasting has become the new and most effective way to detox your organs, re-energise your mind, body and spirit and lose weight. Today’s society is consuming far too much fat, sugar and protein, and all too often as part of processed foods, which is overloading our insides and having a knock-on effect on our overall health and mood.

Despite female enthusiasts dominating this form of exercise during its rise in the workout world, men have always held a leading role when looking back at the history of Pilates. Men should definitely take advantage of Pilates and the various health benefits of this fast-growing fitness trend, which helps to improve strength and flexibility with a workout that is just as challenging as weight training in the gym.

A commentary by Dr. Clive Williams

Celebrating #Movember this year, we are putting the spotlight on men’s health to help raise awareness about some of the biggest well-being issues faced by men and address the internal stigmas associated to masculinity. Here, North Brisbane psychologist, Dr. Clive Williams answers the question, “Why should men care about self-care?” to start a conversation and redefine the true meaning of strength, allowing them to get the help and tools they need for a healthy and fulfilled life:

Despite yoga being created by men, for men, it’s still seen as predominantly a woman’s activity. It takes a brave man to walk into a class full of women but the health benefits of yoga far outweigh this initial worry. So if you are looking to escape on a dedicated yoga holiday or start small with weekly lessons, here is our comprehensive guide to why yoga is good for men.

Routines and rituals help to relax and train your body and mind. You’ve likely experienced this in your daily life - for example, an exercise routine is often easier to stick to when it’s done regularly at the same time.

Tone muscles, cleanse out toxins, calm your mind and restore an overstressed body, leaving you rejuvenated and energised at the world's first spa and organic wellness resort in Malaysia. Called The Chateau and nestled serenely in the Berjaya Hills, it opens its doors to the world on 11th July 2011.

We all love to travel. But, let’s face it, when we’re on-the-go, our fitness goals can fall by the wayside. While there is nothing wrong with taking a break from working out, disrupting your regular exercise routine can rear its ugly head one way or another. From sluggishness to brain fog and loss of motivation, you’ll know it when your body is telling you to get moving.