Stress Management

What is COMO Shambhala Estate and who’s it for?

COMO Shambhala Estate aims to improve physical, mental and spiritual well-being for every individual and the flagship retreat does exactly that. In a secluded setting within the breathtaking Balinese rainforest near Ubud, this wellness retreat is the perfect location for anyone looking to relax and rejuvenate.

Holidays, a time to re-charge and escape the stresses of everyday life. For most of us, dreaming of our next holiday destination is what keeps us going most of the year! Helping you to maximise your free-time, here, we get the inside scoop from Paul Joseph, Co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel, about how to make the most of your annual holiday leave, from deciding on the length of stay to when to book.

Becoming a new parent is an amazing, incomparable experience, but it will also be the most stressful time in your life. Focusing entirely on your child’s well-being; there won’t be many opportunities for you to pamper and relax. There is no better time to take a wellness break than when you're feeling tired and exhausted. The good news is, there are plenty of family holidays you can enjoy even when your new born is around. Free your mind of diapers and milk bottles and unwind on a spa holiday, whilst child-minding staff take good care of your little ones. After a de-stressing spa treatment, shed the baby weight during an energetic fitness class or on an outdoor excursion to admire the beauty of nature.

With National Stress Awareness Month held every April since 1992, during this annual thirty day period, health care professionals and experts join forces to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures of the modern day stress epidemic. Encouraging people to embrace a healthier lifestyle through stress management wellness holidays, our specialist retreats offer a focused solution and an escape from the daily grind. With an all-encompassing approach covering diet, exercise and lifestyle management, our stress management wellness retreats are designed to manage stress long-term through specific lifestyle changes.

Take a short break away with a distinctly healthy approach designed to keep you active and improve your sense of well-being.We are pleased to introduce our new healthy breaks for people who are time pressured, burnt-out and in need a quick healthy getaway to recover.

Pranayama is the 'Science of Breath', the control of the vital force (prana) in the air we breathe. It is a meditation technique that consists of slow, regulated deep breathing, which helps to calm the mind, balance the emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. It can be practised anywhere but it is advised that you meditate in a clean, peaceful place. It is most beneficial to do pranayama in the early morning or evening hours and playing appropriate soft music will also enhance your experience.

From bootcamps to cycling breaks, a fitness holiday is guaranteed to help you shape up and get fit. Although you will be provided with all the advice and training you need when there, it is a good idea to prepare for your fitness holiday in advance. Working on your fitness levels and improving your diet before you head off will enable you to make the most out of your trip and ease into it without any problems. 

Tell us about the resort – what makes Kamalaya so special?

Having heard so many glowing reviews about Kamalaya, I was very excited to experience it myself and understand what makes it such a special place with such a high rate of repeat guests. From the beautiful location to the nurturing spa treatments and nourishing food, it’s impossible to visit Kamalaya and not feel instantly better in yourself.  

According to new research released today in the latest edition of The Psychologist, the positive effects of a holiday fade in just two weeks; however The Psychologist believes we should be taking more time off from work to keep us healthy and happy, but is this realistic?

The internet is full of travel tips. Many have been repeated ad nauseum, but occasionally you can come across an insightful tip which simplifies your travels and makes you feel more secure on your next trip. Here we collect the best of the best safety tips for you to use on your next getaway.

There is a special magic at Kamalaya, an award-winning sanctuary and holistic spa carved into the hillside of the lush Thailand jungle and overlooking the aqua blue sea. It is the perfect setting, a delight for the senses and also the winner of the title of Thailand's best spa. My journey begins at Koh Samui airport where I am greeted with a cool towel and a warm smile, I am glad to arrive after an overnight flight from Melbourne via Bangkok and enjoy being driven from the airport in an air-conditioned 4WD, on approach my driver calls ahead to ensure there is a cool welcome drink and my check in is both efficient and calming, this is to set the scene for the rest of my stay.

What is Amatara Wellness Resort and who’s it for?

Tucked away in the quiet corner of Cape Panwa, you will find Amatara Wellness Resort. This luxury hotel was recently rebranded to focus on developing the resort as a wellness destination and now offers a range of comprehensive programmes. Suited to those wanting to escape and enjoy a destination spa holiday as well as those looking to take a serious approach to improving their overall well-being.

A broken heart can welcome unwanted stress into your life, and it may feel like your world has been torn apart. Eliminate mournful emotions and jet-off on a much needed spa break to kick-start your journey to self-love and healing. Set sail on an anti-stress voyage where you can discover the world of Shirodhara (ritual to rest and calm the mind), or grasp some of the action on a singles holiday, featuring a range of group classes and personalised spa packages, where only the best and most natural products are used to help you fully mend and unwind, leaving you with a more positive outlook.

Whether addressing a specific health issue or educating on healthier lifestyle choices, the spa industry is no longer pampering without a purpose. A constantly evolving industry, our collection of specialist spa holidays cater to the specific wellness needs of the individual. With wellness warriors now looking for more than pampering and relaxation, tailor-made wellness programmes combining expert medical, fitness and nutrition teams are taking spa holidays to the next level.

Whether addressing a specific health issue or educating on healthier lifestyle choices, the spa industry is no longer pampering without a purpose. A constantly evolving industry, our collection of specialist spa holidays cater to the specific wellness needs of the individual. With wellness warriors now looking for more than pampering and relaxation, tailor-made wellness programs combining expert medical, fitness and nutrition teams are taking spa holidays to the next level.

Words: Bessie Hassan

Overseas trips can be exhausting for our bodies at the best of times. And especially if you’re in and out of meetings on the wrong time zone, it can be pretty easy to let your health lack in order to play catch up. So how can you make the most out of your business trip to stay healthy?

by Matthew Powell

A Body Aware Specialist

The link between stress and burnout is a linear one - stress can exist without burnout but burnout cannot exist without stress. Stress therefore, is the precursor, the forerunner if you will.

When we are stressed our body is, in effect, on high alert and our senses over-engaged. It results in us becoming tunnel visioned and our ability to deal with multiple tasks is lost. This is a manageable, almost a symptomatic byproduct of our day and age, but if there is never any break to this stress, if it is prolonged and incessant, it will lead to burnout.

We all want to be great; to stand out within our company, to be the best partner, friend and loved one. The question is how do we have all of this and look after our own health, mind and being?

Without a doubt Sugar Ridge is the best place to stay in Antigua. It is a private, beautiful retreat that in my opinion is a well-kept secret. It stood out to me amid other luxury resorts on the island because of its stunning hillside location and renowned state of the art fitness centre.

The ancient practice of meditation has come into its own as a stress management technique in today’s modern society. This relaxing, rejuvenation technique will help to re-focus your mind and body by gaining the control and self-awareness needed to deal with stress in a more effective way. Learn how meditation can benefit your body on a stress management retreat, and discover useful healing practices that will help you cope with everyday anxieties.