Wellness Places Around The World
Century-old medicinal sciences, generational cures, thermal springs and old wives’ tales. We are seeing a resurgence of healing traditions and preventative medicines, of potions and lotions from distant lands. We are witnessing the rise of wellness places around the world, destinations created and acknowledged around the globe.
Health and wellness has become top priority during recent challenging times. Despite scientific and technological advancements, there is a revival of ancient healing and natural therapies as east meets west and ancient practices blend with the new advances. Medicinal practices, from China and India to Europe and Iceland are taking prominence with tried and trusted, time-honoured treatments, natural healing beliefs and indigenous practices.
Evolved over thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has changed little over the centuries. Its philosophy derives from maintaining the body’s energy flow, essential to good health. Acupuncture is one of China’s key practices, a traditional art which identifies impasses in energy points known as Qi and uses the stimuli of sterile fine needles to unblock these areas. Amazingly it is believed that there are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the body, each lying on an invisible energy channel. Other treatments exported from its culture include Chinese herbal medicine prescribed to strengthen the body and the graceful controlled exercise of Tai Chi to balance the mind.
Amongst the folds of spectacular saris and aromas of colourful spices, India is home to Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic systems. This medicinal approach accesses the whole body’s condition and lifestyle to gain balance between body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda encompasses massages, lifestyle programmes and nutritional plans. Shirodhara is a popular treatment which involves warm herb-infused Ayurvedic oil gently poured across the ‘third eye’ to bring about deep relaxation and peace from within.
Treetops and canopies exploding in bouquets of delicate pink and white cherry blossom displays is not the only emblem of Japan. The onsen, a natural hot spring, fuelled by volcanic activity is renowned for its medicinal purposes and submerged in the Japanese culture. If visiting Japan, there are around 2,300 in the country, many of them housed in ryokans (traditional inns). Japan has also traded Shinrin yoku, the concept of tree-hugging, a pathway to reconnect with nature while benefitting from the chemical phytoncide, released by trees and plants which is said to boost the immune system. This has brought new meaning to park visits and the benefit of nature; a time to listen to the rustle of the wind, to inhale the fragrance of the air. The power of stillness.
In need of spiritual healing? Arizona is the epicentre of Native American tribes with spiritual healers, traditional medicines, rituals, ceremonies. It is also home to wellness-focussed resorts set deep in the solitude of the desert wilderness. Sedona is rightfully regarded as sacred by Native Americans. With 1.8 million acres of national forest and desert land, it is known for the famous “Vortex energy”. This is a special spot in the earth where energy spills out of the earth’s plane lending uplifting power to meditation. Some profess that the vortex in Sedona is powerful enough to heal the spirit.
Mud glorious mud! Who would guess that muddy water would be good for you. The Dead Sea is the deepest and most saline lake on earth and recognised since biblical times for its healing properties. Israel actively promotes the medicinal advantages of mud treatments to treat psoriasis, back pain and inflammation.
It’s all about salt in Poland. A salt mine recently highlighted the benefits for long-covid. For decades, sufferers of allergies and respiratory problems have travelled to breathe in the pure air of the Wieliczka mine on the outskirts of Krakow to take advantage of its curative properties. The humid air of the salt chamber is rich in minerals and low in pollutants.
The healthy Swiss mountain climate has attracted a number of well-known medical spas especially for treating respiratory conditions. But Switzerland is also renowned for its ultra-luxury brands such as Clinique La Prairie, a pioneering health & wellness clinic in preventative medicine which practices a holistic approach to wellbeing.
The top wellness places around the world continues on to Greece. Here is the heart of thalassotherapy and a theatre of water therapies using saltwater and seaweed, each designed to cleanse, soothe and revitalise the skin and body. In some cases, it improves circulation and muscle tone.
The Evian Resort in the heart of the Alps is drenched in the benefits of pure Evian water and used as the basis for its medical spa programme. The natural mineral water is pollution-free, pH neutral and has a low-mineral content that contains bicarbonates and little sodium. It owes these unique properties to its origins, a hydrogeological site formed 35,000 years ago.
One of Iceland’s main claims to fame is its Blue Lagoon. This is a thermal spa where the water’s purity is due to the natural filtration through the lava fields, a process perfected over years of untainted snow melt and rain through the Ölfus Spring. The warm waters are rich in minerals and reputed to help those suffering from skin diseases.
The mineral waters of Europe’s hot springs have long been celebrated for their healing properties. From the Grandhotel Pupp in the Czech Republic to the UK’s own spa towns of Bath and Harrogate, there are many places replete with long-held wellness customs and grand historical architecture. Throughout Europe there are numerous locations for healing, recuperation and rehabilitation, easing pain and enhancing health.
Wellbeing is also associated with looking and feeling as good as we can. For those of us dreaming of slowing the biological clock, Austria is home to a specialist resort in genetic medicine. On the outskirts of Vienna, La Pura is exclusively for women and applies an integrated holistic approach to health issues.
Our wellbeing is our everyday health and state of mind. The Swedish term, lagom refers to a way of being and achieving balanced happiness. The Dutch use the word gezelligheid which denotes the gladdened feeling when surrounded by people and places that are comforting and warm. And if you are happy and snug within your own indoor culture, then you are already practicing hygge, the Danish concept which signifies taking time away from the daily rush to appreciate the small things that matter.
We are constantly bombarded with weird and wonderful natural therapies to experience. How about goat yoga, equine therapy or even cow cuddling? Ayurveda or tree hugging? Whatever form you seek, there are a wide range of wellness places around the world as there are treatments and ancient healing traditions in every corner of the globe all offering relaxation and therapy for mind body and spirit.
Happy, safe travels.
