Where can I go for a 'healthy' break?

July 8, 2009 4:38 PM

Where can I go for a 'healthy' break?

I'd like to take a week away and come back feeling healthier. Somewhere in the UK or Europe.
I have no willpower so I need something organised, something that would encourage exercise and keep me away from alcohol, cigarettes, junk food etc. etc.
I'm not into 'alternative' therapies, though I think I could tolorate that environment if there was a good programme overall.
I realise that a week isn't going to make a great difference but hope it would kick-start me for a healthier lifestyle overall.

Thanks for any suggestions!

posted by fernbritton to health & fitness (15 comments total)

What's your budget? Sounds like a spa holiday could be what you're looking for. Check out "stay spas" on spa finder.
posted by necessitas at 4:48 PM on July 8

Try googling ashrams, monasteries and retreat centres. I've never been to one in the UK, but in Australia they are a fraction of the price of spa centres, are full of much more interesting people, and have all the benefits you are looking for. E.g. regular yoga classes; no alcohol, drugs or personal food allowed on the premises; early bedtimes; beautiful natural surroundings; tips on how to cope with stress etc...

Going to an ashram for a week or so every year is, in my opinion, one of the best things you can do for your health and wellbeing : )
posted by Weng at 5:01 PM on July 8

I reckon I could spend £500-£750. Spas look nice but I'm never quite sure what's involved. The sites mainly seem to show photos of people wearing dressing gowns or having pebble balanced on them!
If you do a residential spa/health thing what happens in the evening? Do you have your dinner then read quietly? I worry about going out of my mind with boredom!
posted by fernbritton at 5:02 PM on July 8

There are different types of spas, but many combine extensive health-type programs with relaxation treatments. So, a personal trainer type workout for a few hours, or a long hike or some sort of endurance activity, and then massages and facials, yoga, swimming and/or time at the beach (if it is a seaside spa), time in the sauna, dinner, then fall asleep early from exhaustion and relaxation. There might be evening activities as well, not sure what sort. I think the idea is to be so relaxed and worn out from exercise or activities, that you fall asleep early and possibly start a cycle of healthy living that way.

Of course there are some spas that are also part of regular resorts so you could do the same things you would do at a regular resort, but you expressed an interest in getting away from alcohol and smoking.

I have never been bored at a spa, but I really enjoy spa vacations. As mind boggling as this reality is for me, I do know they aren't for everyone.

I don't know if a spa will work into your budget, you'll have to check out different spas. Plenty of spas in the US charge around $350+ for a day of treatments, I have no idea what the prices are like in the UK or Europe.
posted by necessitas at 5:22 PM on July 8

Thanks for that necessitas, weng. That makes sense falling asleep early because you're worn out, sounds ideal!
I have noticed that spas are pretty expensive in general, 5-star hotel kind of expensive. I assumed this was because they were aimed 5-star kind of people.
I think I'm looking for a middle ground, good exercise programmes, healthy diet, nice surroundings with a minimal amount of praying, chanting, colonics. Maybe Sky Movies if I'm desperate ;)

Maybe it's a gap in the market. easySpa anyone?
posted by fernbritton at 5:37 PM on July 8

Spa holidays are wonderful but can be very expensive. Temple Spa is having a sale; they are not woowoo. If you check Special Offers there and scroll down to '5 Night Spa Holiday' you can, as a single traveler, do 5 nights for €550. That's room plus three meals a day plus classes plus access to pools and spas; you'd have enough money for booking a few specific treatments on top, like a massage on your first morning :)

If this isn't your thing, I would suggest a walking holiday instead.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:49 PM on July 8

Agroturismo in Italy...farm grown local food, fresh air, hiking opportunities, maybe even help with some farm work. Slovenia also has farm-tourism ops that were featured in the NYT recently. In fact, nearly every European country has them!

I had a great time staying at a farm hostel in Voss, Norway. The food was healthy and I hiked, kayaked, and mountain biked. I was in great shape after the trip and the mountain air was wonderful.

WWOOFING (www.wwoof.org/), might be too extreme, but it's very very cheap. You will do lots of farm work and eat tons of healthy local food. I really built up muscles doing it!
posted by melissam at 6:29 PM on July 8 [1 favorite]

Are you interested in a very challenging experience? If you do a vipassana meditation retreat, you will definitely be improving your health, and you will definitely be avoiding all things unhealthy, but it's an astoundingly rewarding experience... but it's also very hard. I'd be happy to talk to you about if you like, so feel free to MeMail me. I've also written several other answers here about vipassana retreats - I'm sure you can track them down if you're interested.
posted by Cygnet at 6:31 PM on July 8 [1 favorite]

This might be out in right field, but have you considered the States? If I ever really needed a mental health break, I'd head out to Joshua Tree with a tent, a cooler, my dog-eared copy of Godel Escher Bach, and a change of socks. I imagine you could book a flight, hire a car, and buy a tent if you don't mind getting plane tickets a month or two in advance. Probably too fuckin' hot right now, anyway.

--completely non-spiritual dude, who nevertheless considers Joshua Tree to be a spiritual place.
posted by notsnot at 7:21 PM on July 8

Damn, meant to add:
the place is so pure that it'll feel like a shame to poison the experience by poisoning yourself.
posted by notsnot at 7:23 PM on July 8

like cygnet, i was going to suggest taking Vipassana. It's confronting, but rewarding... and there's certainly no chance of junk food or cigarettes (much as you may crave em.. craving is just another transient state, after all...) happening there. just a week or so of semi-guided silence, contemplation and rest while you voyage to the edge of your being-ness...
posted by Philby at 7:30 PM on July 8

I find spas boring myself, and many people I know who go to them for a week come back saying they feel more tired than when they left! For me it would have to be an outdoor activity like learning to sail or scuba dive on a liveaboard - you can do that a lot of places in the UK and Europe but maybe the Scottish Isles if you're looking for geographical suggestions? That will refresh your body from the exercise and your brain from learning something new at the same time.
posted by hazyjane at 11:10 PM on July 8

samui, thailand

if you want to relax, do a bit of yoga the spa resort is great

if your feeling a little bolder and want to get really really fit
go here and do a private training session every day (about eight pound) with Nam
posted by compound eye at 5:12 AM on July 9

Jurmala, Latvia, a quick 20-minute-train ride from Riga, the capital, has a bunch of health resorts and spas, on one of the longest blue-flag sandy beaches in Europe, and with the summer days so long right now, it'd be a great place to relax. Lots of people speak (some) English, and Riga's a great place to visit in the summer. Here's a Guardian article about the experience, and here's a big spa-type hotel offering all the essentials. They do packages as well - here's a 5-day "be healthy" package for 410 Latvian Lats, about £500.

The town of Jurmala is actually made up of a dozen or so smaller villages near one or two larger places (though nothing in Latvia is that big) - Majori is the main hub of activity, but it's easy to get away from the hustle and bustle just by walking along the powder-like sand for a spell, then getting the train back to Majori. (There's some amazing people-watching provided by visiting Muscovites and Saint Petersburgers as well!)

Palanga, Lithuania, and the Estonian island of Saaremaa are also places to look for spa-type escapes - check out their offerings and reviews on TripAdvisor. There are also some pretty great free locally-written guidebooks to the region at In Your Pocket. None of these countries use the Euro, either, so your pound goes further.
posted by mdonley at 5:15 AM on July 9 [1 favorite]

I think all you need to come back feeling heathier is to have eaten good food, got some fresh air, and have been mentally rested. If you've no will power, just choose a holiday that forces you to enjoy those things.
e.g. A house with no electricity on an island with no transport/shops/mobile reception, but which does have a beautiful beach and wildlife and scenery.
posted by chill at 5:43 AM on July 9