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The daily pressures of work can have a great impact on mood, motivation as well as overall performance in the workplace. In fact, wellness initiatives have been proven to increase the productivity of individuals by around 12%. So, being able to provide employees with social, active escapes can be the perfect opportunity to bond with the people you work with every day, improve mental and physical well-being and most importantly, have fun together! Here we will go through some of the top sports holidays, perfect for competitive teams or afficionados of particular sporting pursuits to embark on together as part of an invaluable bonding and team development experience. 

Many of us drink alcohol to relax and socialise. Alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle as long as you drink in moderation and combine it with regular exercise and a healthy diet. However, drinking alcohol excessively or when it can be considered harmful is proven to have many adverse effects on your mental and physical health. Drinking a large amount over a long period of time can cause you to develop a higher tolerance to alcohol, where you may no longer experience the short-term side effects that you might have otherwise. Ultimately, alcohol can present many adverse effects on the body. Here we will discuss these health implications and how this can impact you now, and in the further future. 

One of the fastest-growing health-care professions, osteopathy is a form of therapy that strengthens the back and targets other postural problems through improvement of the lymphatic, nervous, and circulatory systems. Osteopathic technicians and specialists stretch the joints and the muscles as well as massage them to help the body heal itself. An osteopathic retreat is a type of wellness retreat that provides benefits to travellers that may be suffering from an affliction that concerns the muscles, bones, and joints, such as lower back pain. This type of retreat may also prove beneficial to athletes and active travellers so they can keep their bodies in peak condition. Here are five superstar standout retreats centred around osteopathic treatments! 

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When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and medical check-ups are just one part of the equation. Giving your body an appropriate diet and nutritional intake to go alongside these great active habits is key to aim for faster, higher vitality. A healthy gut can make a substantial difference to your immune system and many other vital health aspects, helping control digestion and balancing hormones for example. Keeping these aspects of your health in check is very important to provide your gut with healthy bacteria and immune cells which help ward off infectious agents like viruses and fungi. 

There’s never been a better time to plan a corporate wellness retreat for your team. These retreats help your team members feel more valued, as well as make it easier to facilitate open communication and idea sharing! No matter the duration or location of your retreat, let your team know how much they mean to you while giving them the break they deserve! Get some inspiration from our most popular types of wellness retreats here! 

Feeling a little bit stuck or drained at work? It’s more common than you think - a 2021 report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that almost one million British people reported work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. Burnout can be an inevitable part of working that affects everyone from time to time, but it’s the response to these feelings that can make or break your work-life balance for months to come. Without the opportunity to reset and take care of your body, there can be severe implications on your stress levels, sleep cycle, relationships, and mood. Here are a few ways a wellness holiday, no matter how brief, can improve your performance on the job! 

Catch Up on your Sleep Cycle 

Caption: Woman sleeping next to an alarm clock.  

It’s so easy to prioritise different elements of our lives, whether it be our social lives, our work lives, or our love lives. Regardless, it’s important to reset your body after each day and get at least seven hours of sleep each night. If this isn’t achieved, we can feel trapped in a sluggish cycle of grogginess. If this is something that you may struggle with, you’re not alone! Going on a sleep enhancement retreat can allow you to learn techniques that can transfer over to your day-to-day life. As simple as it may sound, the entire course of your day can depend on whether you’re well-rested or not.  

Soak Up the Sun! 

 Caption: Woman laying on a sun deck with a refreshing drink at SHA Wellness Clinic 

Working inside an office or indoors often means heading into the office early in the morning and heading home well after the sun has set. Spending a full work week without getting much fresh air has more consequences than it may seem! The Sun provides us with many health benefits, such as stress reduction, improving our immune system, and most importantly, giving us a daily dose of Vitamin D. This powerful vitamin is responsible for keeping our bones, teeth, and muscles strong and healthy. Believe it or not, a lack of sun exposure due to long indoor hours has proven to cause a Vitamin D deficiency in many working adults! Taking a wellness holiday to a sunny destination such as Spain or Portugal can be just what you need to catch some rays and relax while doing so! 

Because You Deserve to Reward Yourself 

Caption: Woman receiving a floral massage treatment at Atmantan Wellness Resort 

As hard workers in a corporate setting, sometimes a break or holiday seems like an impossibility. However, that’s not the case. You don’t always need a reason or an event to happen to treat yourself - embark on a wellness holiday because you work hard, and you deserve it! Taking care of ourselves and making sure we’re happy is just as important as the work we carry out each day! Going on a spa holiday periodically can improve your mood significantly and help you return to the workplace a renewed person! Breaking up the cycle of months of work is important and also gives us something to look forward to! Escaping an urban setting for even just a day or two can boost your productivity and creativity at work!  

Discover Your New Favourite Thing 

Caption: Group surfing lesson at Paradis Plage in Morocco 

In addition to stunning mental and physical health benefits, wellness holidays can be the perfect opportunity to try something you’ve always been thinking about! Many of our sport holidays offer lessons in different activities such as surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, golf, and more! These retreats are attended by complete beginners to skilled professionals, so no matter your skill level, you’re welcome! Trying a new activity can be an exciting experience that you may not have time to embrace during the average full-time workweek. Who knows, you may fall in love with your new favourite hobby or sport!  

Meet Your New Best Friends 

Caption: Group of people exercising together on the beach. 

While it’s a great experience to make friends from work, going into a completely new setting and making new connections is a profound experience that not many people get to experience. Many people who embark on wellness retreats often do so alone, and many resorts and singles-only holidays often have tables for individuals to eat together and get to know each other at! While this may not seem related to work, it actually can have significant effects on your productivity and people skills! Making new connections with retreat guests, who often come from different locations around the world, will improve your cultural efficacy and cross-cultural communication skills. This can help you network with clients or professionals worldwide, and also improve your confidence and people skills!  

The benefits of taking a wellness holiday are immense both inside and outside of the office. Our bodies and minds were not designed to continuously work without any rest and relaxation. A work-life balance is incredibly important, and if you’re feeling burnout in the office or working from home, it’s important that you act on it instead of pushing it to the side! Your mind and body will thank you!  

Talk to one of our Wellness Travel Specialists on 0203 397 8891 or contact us here to enquire about your Corporate Wellness solution today! 

Today we’re going to be looking at some of the best mental health retreats around the world for men. Primarily, how they might be able help you or someone close to you recover from or tackle any mental health issues they may be dealing with, for a brighter, healthier future. Did you know, The Mental Health Foundation found that in England around 1 in 8 men suffer from common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? 

Dr. Vicente Mera is the head of Internal Medicine and Anti-ageing at the SHA Wellness Clinic as a specialist in the ageing process, Dr. Mera has been a key figure in developing the Healthy Ageing Men and Healthy Ageing Women retreats that focus on healthy and graceful ageing. We had the privilege of speaking to him to learn more about him, his process and the healthy ageing retreats at SHA Wellness Clinic. 

Some things never go bad - a fresh jar of honey, an aged wine, and - arguably the most important - our chance to have enriching and exciting experiences! With our signature selection of fitness holidays there’s an active retreat tailored to you and your needs just waiting to be booked! You only live once, and there’s a world of invigorating and awe-inspiring places to see, people to meet and unique experiences to savour! Here are our top selections for the best active holidays for travellers over 50! 

Portugal thrives on its rich history, traditional culture and warm climate. It is also home to an array of vibrant towns, beautiful beaches and distinctive landscapes, making it an idyllic destination to embark on a valuable healthy break. Portugal sets a unique motivational tone which is perfect for challenging yourself to reach those top fitness goals, try a new sport or even enjoy some healthy family activities. Keep on reading to discover some of the best active holidays in Portugal and all of the great healthy benefits and experiences on offer!