How to Prepare for a Spa Holiday

A spa holiday is a wonderful way to focus on your wellbeing. Spa retreats are very effective in treating specific health issues, but more importantly, they offer an opportunity to break your daily habits and to develop fresh, healthful behaviours that will have a beneficial impact on your life in the longterm. Spa holidays differ from other holidays because most retreats held at destination spas have an element of detox and stress relief that may take some preparation. By preparing your mind and body for your retreat, you will get better results from your retreat and you will enjoy it much more.

For some, separation from work, the internet, and their smart phone is unthinkable. Not all spas require you to submit your links to the outside world upon arrival, but certain programmes (e.g. Stress Relief) will wean you off your habitual reliance on filling your life with distractions. Many spas have an imposed silent hour during the day, so reading (books, Kindles, and iPads for reading are allowed) and meditation are good ways to take advantage of this serenity of the silence.

Many people struggle with detoxing on a spa holiday. Even if you consider yourself healthy, you may be unaware of how many toxins (e.g. air pollution, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, sugar) you absorb in your daily life and the reaction that your body has when they are removed. Some people have acute psychological reactions where repressed emotions are brought to the surface and they may be brought to tears suddenly. Most people experience headaches and extreme sluggishness when they take caffeine and sugar out of their diets. If you haven’t prepared your body for the shock of withdrawal, then your first three days of holiday can be spent in a foul mood, most likely in bed.

If you want to get the most out of your spa experience, here are some tips to help you prepare in order to get your money’s worth and enjoy your time away improving yourself:

Before you go:

• Three to five days prior to departure, stop drinking coffee, black tea, soft drinks and alcohol.
• Two days prior to departure, reduce the amount you smoke and phase out the excessive use of internet and mobile phones.
• You should drink herbal infusions, fruit juice or water.
• Avoid consuming sugar or sweeteners, meat or dairy products and reduce the amount of salt consumed.
• Try to eat your last meal of the day before 7:00 pm and choose a low carb option.
• Get a good night’s sleep so that you do not arrive exhausted.

On the flight:

• Drink water to stay hydrated which will help you combat jet lag.
• Wear comfortable clothing to travel in so that you arrive relaxed and comfortable.
• Prepare yourself to be without your mobile phone constantly at your side.