Many of us like to travel. The idea of unseen and pristine locations along with tantalizing food and local adventures is something we all dream of. But what if you could do all these things for a deeper purpose? The purpose of personal wellness, which can then be extended to everyday life if you so wish. So what does it mean to be ‘well’?

Simply put, personal wellness means feeling good about oneself and various aspects of your life- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. To achieve wellness in these areas people often travel to different destinations and engage in wellness activities. They do this either to bring changes to their lives in the short-term or to make long-term lifestyle changes. So bringing about personal wellness could mean many things – from experiencing healing massages and baths to learning Tai-Chi and dance forms. It is all personalized and depends on the changes you want to create within your life.

About the wellness industry

Fast paced and activity filled lives have lead us to ignore ourselves. Beyond partying, social visits and occasional trips to the mall, we have forgotten to genuinely care for ourselves. In addition, responsibilities involving the care of significant others have taken a toll on most of us. This gap in personal care has led to many diseases and imbalances inside us over the years, leading to a self –care need fulfilled by many local and international hospitality groups. So was formed the ‘wellness industry’ with a bouquet of ‘wellness programs and holidays’ for people the world over. What are these programs about? Let’s take a look.

Exercise regimens and eating right

It’s common knowledge that the right kind of exercise and diet can work wonders to your health. This basic understanding has propelled wellness centres the world over, to create programs suited to your unique dietary and exercise needs. So experiencing a relaxing massage and eating an Ayurveda diet, all while taking in the oceans waves at Kerala is now a reality you could experience.

Diet changes also call for exercise regimes. They’re like dance partners –requiring each other to create the right dance connection! So wellness programs also offer their customers fitness experiences, ranging from gym classes and kickboxing to water workouts and indoor rowing. If you have the will, then go for the kill my fried! You’ll thank yourself and your trainer for the results you’ll experience.

Mental balance

If you are in need of something less arduous and more refreshing, then activities that help you ‘tune in’ could be your answer. Science has found a definite link between our mind and body for years now, and described at length the consequent effects of this connection on our overall health; so the wellness industry has pushed the envelope here and created programs to meet these needs.

Yoga

The first on the list of mental wellness activities could be yoga. Yoga had it’s origins in India hundreds of years ago and was not just ‘the way’ to keep yourself healthy but was also believed to help you reach enlightenment or a union with God. Today too, yoga is practiced for mental and physical health in different forms- from Hatha Yoga that teaches you to improve your bodily functions and mentally detach from issues that cause conflict, to Power Yoga which is a more intensive and ‘gym-like’ form of yoga. So wellness centres can actually help you choose the right yoga program, putting you on the path of bliss!

Tai-chi

Tai-chi is a form of physical and mental exercise, especially good for stress reduction. It involves gentle movements performed slowly, with a focus on your breathing as you do these. Although it began in China as a means of self-defence; it is now taught the world over through wellness programs and other classes, helping you achieve your inner Zen.

Dance your woes away!

Many of us love to dance and experience that exhilarating feeling when you truly are letting go. But what if you dance for wellness and use it as a means to help you relax, tune in and find composure? Wouldn’t that act as an added incentive to continue dancing? This is exactly the goal which the wellness industry teaches you to achieve through it’s dance classes or programs where you’ll be taught under professional dancers. So don’t be shy. Walk on to the dance floor, even with two left feet and learn to dance your woes away…

Spirit is thy name

Chakra healing, acupressure, acupuncture, self-healing and more Alternative modes of healing listed above are pretty popular in the wellness space. Trained staff are hired to help you clean your ‘inner areas’ or chakras, responsible for various areas of your life. Affirmation and self healing workshops also help in healing emotional wounds that could be stopping you from leading a fuller life. But if these modern practices don’t sound appealing enough to you, then how about giving ancient Chinese healing forms of acupuncture and acupressure, a go? Loosely speaking, theses are based on the idea that our bodies have pressure points which when blocked can cause a wide range of health problems. Unblocking them helps to release vital life energy responsible for happier and fuller lives.

Meditation and mindfulness

Meditation has been around for as long as the ancient gurus and sages of yore. Yet it’s gained relevance only in recent times, with more people turning to it to handle life’s stressors.

Meditation can involve anything from deep breathing exercises, to chanting or even experiencing your presence in silence. All these methods besides others, have their own benefits, so you’ll have a wide range to choose from.

Like meditation, mindfulness is also a trend amongst wellness seekers. It involves creating awareness within yourself from where you’ll observe your thoughts or you’ll become aware of each moment and your contribution to it. Trained experts can actually teach you to get mindful whilst you live your daily life. So what better way could there be to learn this practice, than at a wellness program nestled in the Himalayas or in the pristine hills of Italy?

Should you give wellness programs ‘the go’?

If you feel you’ve been looking for a transformation to take your life onto a healthier path but just can’t set aside time from your regular routine, then ‘wellness travel’ could be for you. There are more benefits than costs involved and positive lifestyle changes could affect all aspects of your life for the better, in the long-run. So why wait? Pack those bags and fly to a wellness destination of choice!