Sink or Swim?

Dragging our feet through the sorry wake of sprawled chocolate wrappers and empty mince pie packets, we realise that this can mean only one thing. Yes, January is upon us and the concept of going cold turkey never seemed so horrific.  Rudely interrupting our free reign of gluttony, and crushing our jolly Christmas spirit, January is welcomed into our lives like a long overdue root-canal.

Rather than staring down the smoking barrel of heinous diets and grueling exercise regimens, however, My Destination have decided to take a different approach for 2012.  Fit for our Olympic year, the London office has devised an attractive programme to suit all. Focused on a wholesome approach to wellness- for the mind, body and spirit –we have achieved a zen-like equilibrium between relaxation and rejuvenation.  Or, in non-spa-speak, a balance between health and happiness.

Together with some of our favourite wellness centres from around the globe, here are our five simple steps for beginning the new year with a bang, rather than a bulge.

Sink or swim? It’s time to find out…

1.      Substitute Power-Plates for Pilates (Address the Body & Mind)

As it’s the beginning of a brand new year, a clean slate and a clear mind are first on our agenda. Putting the compendium of Christmas pudding, roast potatoes and brandy butter firmly behind us, it’s time to beat the bloat. Wobbly middles and squidgy sides simply won’t do anymore.  However, while a well-equipped gym stocked with cardiovascular machines and cumbersome weights is often the first port of call, we realise it’s not always the most appealing. Let’s be honest; pounding up-and-down a treadmill to no avail can be pretty tiresome. So here’s what we suggest: substitute a few gym sessions with a couple of exercises classes.  Both fun and lively, this interactive way to get fit will keep your mind busy (trying to remember all those pesky steps) and your body active.

Recommended Wellness Centre: Ibiza’s MWellness Centre is one of our favourite places that readily engages both the body and mind. Here alongside a smart air-conditioned gym, cutting-edge classes such as Aqua Spinning, Kick Boxercise and Street Dance are widely enjoyed. However, if these classes don’t suit, there’s always a sauna, Jacuzzi, Hammam room, ice cabin, Turkish bath, spa and beauty team on hand to help address this body-mind complex.

2.      Bolster Fitness with Relaxation (Hail Hydrotherapy)

According to the ancient proverb (and the movie ‘The Shining’) all work and no play makes for one very dull existence. Well, in our minds, the same applies to exercise. Humans were simply not designed to endure endless periods of self-control without some form of reward. So, here’s how we see it: as long as relaxation follows some form of exercise, it’s justly earned in our eyes. Therefore, take the time in between exercising to unwind. Whether that be a leisurely swim, a dip in a hydrotherapy pool, a rejuvenating steam, or a detoxifying sauna, the goal is the same- total relaxation. According to hydrotherapy anyway, water has healing properties. Combine this with a healthy dose of exercise and you’re onto a winner for feeling healthy and happy this New Year.   

Recommended Wellness Centre: In terms of rest and relaxation, nowhere can beat Tenerife’s Aqua Club Termal. Overflowing with marine water, thermal pools, hydrotherapy pools and hydraulic jets, this watery-world is far more than just a wellness and spa retreat. Complete with its own fitness centre, 3 open air grass-courts and a plethora of exercise classes, it is the perfect place to indulge in some well-earned brownie points.

3.      Challenge Core Stability (Discover some Inner Balance)

Balance is essential to our lives in every way. When those scales become tipped, whether in work or play, we know we’re headed for troubled waters. Bearing this in mind, we decided to search for some stability for our fitness regime and here’s what we found: Yoga. Based on an ancient Indian custom, this meditative practice hinges upon a harmonious balance between the physical, mental and spiritual state. Balance being the operative word here. Challenging your core stability, this flexible art-form is the perfect way to ensure you and your body stay balanced (and in shape) for the rest of the year.

Recommended Wellness Centre: When it comes to core stability, we recommend Studio Maui in lush Hawaii . Focusing on inner health and self-expression through the medium of movement, this restorative studio employs yoga principles as an art form. Once you have built-up some core strength here, you can move on to exotic classes such as hula, belly dancing, West African, soul and lyrical dance (all in the name of exercise of course!).

4.      Embrace The Great Outdoors (Au Naturel Beauty Knows Best)

There is no substitute for the great outdoors. Where else can your running strides be boundless or the crisp air tinge your cheeks with the salubrious glow of exercise? Nowhere, that’s where. So, here’s what we suggest: ditch the sweaty gym-towel and head outside. Whatever activity you decide upon, whether running, hiking, walking or swimming, being outdoors will do wonders for your health, fitness and overall happiness. It might even blow away some of those January blues…

Recommended Wellness Centre: Running is all well and good but when it comes to your health (and your happiness) we think swimming in natural springs come up trumps. That’s why we have chosen two of our favourite thermal springs from around the globe: Agamemnon Thermal Spring and Terme Catež. Found in Balcova, in the Izmir region of the Aegean Coast, Agamemnon Thermal Spring takes its name from the Trojan War when the springs where used to cure wounded soldiers. Now an outdoor swimming centre with a spa and fitness club located close by (the Crown Plaza Agamemnon Spa) this wholesome centre continues its good work. Alternatively, we recommend Slovenia’s Terme Catež. Located amongst striking natural landscape, where the Sava and Krka rivers converge, this dynamic wellness centre, thermal spa and entertainment park has everything from whirlpools and water toboggans to water slides and fast rivers. Who said exercising has to be a chore?!

5.      Indulge in Personal Pampering (Enjoy a Soothing Seaweed Wrap)

Saving the best until last, pampering had to feature on our spa and fitness plan. Ok, so slightly more spa-oriented than fitness, however, we’ve decided that 2012 is a year all about you. Yes, you. A year to be healthy, happy and pampered (no I haven’t swallowed a self-help book!). So here’s our final step: save a little money aside each month to splurge on yourself. Think invigorating facials, soothing massages, indulgent seaweed treatments- the choices are endless …

Recommended Wellness Centre: One of our favourite places to get pampered is Talaso Atlantico nestled in the Galician village of Mougas. Overlooking dramatic scenes of jagged mountains and cascading sea-water, this therapeutic spa is renowned for its relaxing seaweed wraps. 

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While now would seem an appropriate time to ask, ‘Did you sink or swim?’ we have come to the blissful conclusion that perhaps it is not always a disaster to sink. Just as long as a balmy pool of water is waiting on the other end, of course.

Emily Waller, My Destination
January 2012

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