Holiday Wellness Trips

Not all holidays are spent at home, and every once in a while, you need a break from it all – even during the holidays. Fortunately, we live in a time replete with wellness getaways that are the perfect option for those of us who need time to ourselves, or time away from the hustle and bustle. Destressing and unplugging are much easier, of course, when you find the right getaway. Here are five destinations to help you take care of this holiday.

Golden Door, California

Nestled among 600 acres is a Japanese-inspired resort getaway among the mountains, designed to center you, bring you back down to earth, and give you the opportunity to contemplate nature all at the same time. They have zen gardens, 80 specialized wellness classes, a bamboo forest and a hiking trail to soothe the nerves and lift the spirits. It is an all-inclusive experience, with meals, a personalized exercise plan and a private trainer included. You can also partake in treatment and analysis of your skin, should that be where you keep your stress.

The Barns – Troutbeck, New York

The beauty of Upstate New York will pull you in before you have time to realize you’ve just started your relaxation journey among some barns. You can participate in yoga, meditation, acupuncture and massages. It is designed to put you in mind for a simpler time while also allowing your entire being to relax. You can even participate in a therapy called somatic experiencing, designed to help with physical and mental trauma.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

On an island off the coast of South Carolina called Hilton Head, you’ll find the Hilton Head Health resort. This all-inclusive experience is designed to center you by giving you some perspective – you’re a dot on a dot in the middle of the ocean. You can kayak, paddleboard, be part of a boot camp, or go the calmer route with yoga. Southern food is part of the experience here, too, only it’s geared toward the health-conscious, with shrimp and grits and eggs benedict being served in a low-cal fashion.

YO1 Health Resort – Catskills, New York

In the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York, you’ll find 1,300 acres of pristine nature designed to help you take charge of your own mental health. The health resort itself is a 68,000 square foot space featuring yoga and hiking – finding a nature-based way toward mental wellness. Their specialties at YO1 include treatment of stress, insomnia and anxiety, as well as bodily health concerns.

Castle Hot Springs, Arizona

Among the Bradshaw Mountains in Arizona is a location that, up until 2019, had been closed to the public for over four decades. It was once the vacation destination for the rich, famous and powerful, and now it is open to the public. There are yoga classes and spas, great local farm-to-table food, as well as the opportunity to soak in the natural hot springs to soothe your muscles, your stress and your psyche.