Wellness Travel is trending to become one of the fastest growing areas in travel. So, what is it, really? Essentially, it is defined by each person’s individual pursuit for well-being through travel. One size does not fit all, and its meaning is unique as each person’s fingerprint. As an Acupuncturist, I often explore the wellness in travel. I love sharing this with my patients and readers. So, read on to discover these affordable wellness travel ideas.
Wellness Travel or Wellness Tourism is accessible to everyone for all budgets and personal needs. Many travel marketing campaigns promote and limit Wellness Travel as an exclusive privilege in fancy schmancy resorts/spas. If it truly is about wellness, it’s vital to invest in a plan that aligns with the well-being of Mother Earth too. Does the itinerary contribute to overtourism? Is it a sustainable trip for our environment? Is it accessible to everyone?
If it’s just about an out-of-touch luxury spa, yoga poses on Instagram or who looks best in their Lululemon, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate. Travel is an opportunity to reset life with improved well-being for you and the planet. Overall, it’s holistic for the body, mind and soul.
The very essence of travel is healing.
Related: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Highlights for a Spa Day
Travel takes us out of our daily routine, relieves stress, stimulates creativity and is even good for brain health. Even more, you don’t need to travel far and spend a lot of money for a healing adventure. A road trip, day at the beach or walk in the woods can do wonders.
Here’s some synonyms to get you going, such as, journey, tour, voyage, pilgrimage, odyssey, safari, road trip or expedition. These very words are hair raising for those of us with wanderlust. Getting in the mindset for these concepts is the first step for healing and recharging.
“It’s better to travel well than to arrive.” -Buddha
As aforementioned, Wellness Travel is defined by the individual. Here are ideas from which to consider, but you be the judge of it. Because so many articles focus on Wellness Travel at expensive resorts/spas or retreats, I am sharing ideas for anything, but that.
Nature Getaway!
Nature is the most accessible and free healing spa on Mother Earth. It grounds and balances us back into our true selves. Especially, if one lives in the city, a daily dose of nature is imperative. Nature is the essence of connection from which many people overlook, in their proxy time spent on the internet. Unplug from that internet and think green, not screen.
Related: Amazing La Fortuna – The Heart of Costa Rica’s Wellness Travel
Nature by Land
Forest, Mountain or Desert
Forest-bathing or Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese concept for cleansing our energies by spending time in the trees. Being in the forest allows you to engage from the symbiosis with the trees: receiving their oxygen and offering your carbon dioxide. This reciprocity is a focus for true meditation. Just a day or even a couple hours can put your body back in parasympathetic mode for relaxation and a more positive reset.
Related: Forest-bathing in San Francisco’s Muir Woods, Exploring the Redwoods
The ideas for nature on land are endless, depending on your interests. Camping, hiking or mountain climbing get you back to the basics and essence of life. Maybe, you experienced a cold, wet winter. Then, the desert may be a therapeutic choice. When I was in Antigua, Guatemala I stayed in a treehouse accommodation on an avocado farm. It was rejuvenating and super grounding.
Nature by Water
River, Lake, Ocean, Waterfall or Hot springs
Ever wonder why whenever you spend a day at the ocean you feel so invigorated and relaxed? Moving water, such as, waterfalls and ocean waves create negative ions that produce biochemical reactions in the body, increasing levels of serotonin to activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). This boosts our mood and alleviates stress and depression. Even just one day can make a world of difference if you don’t have much time.
Nature break ideas on water are endless. Get creative on what your needs are right now and what’s accessible. What floats your boat here, a fishing trip, river rafting, hike to waterfalls, camping along a river? Any of these boost ions and serotonin for grounded bliss. Even a wellness cruise is an option with spas, fresh air galore and a vacation on the ocean.
Voluntourism
Affordable Wellness Travel Ideas
Sometimes, getting out of our bubble and immersing in a dose of reality to help others is the best therapy. There are many ways to volunteer and make the world a better place through non-profit organizations, such as, Work Away, Peace Corps or Grassroots Volunteering. Or maybe volunteering locally is all you need. One of my most profound travelling experiences was as an Acupuncture Volunteer for 3 months in Nepal with Acupuncture Relief Project.
Related: Volunteer Opportunities for Health Care Workers with Acupuncture Relief Project in Nepal
Solo Travel for Self-Care Wellness
Perhaps, self-care wellness is the essence of solo travel. Being independent in the unknown offers us 24/7 opportunities to live, laugh, love & cry to our heart’s content. And unique environments unplug us from our routines, so we can experience ourselves anew. This is the seed of growth that fans the flames of self-care wellness. Remember, gaining self-awareness is self-care.
Even more, you can plan for any type of retreat needed, along with your own sleep and food schedule to fully nourish your body, mind and soul. Solo travel is an incredible opportunity to nurture the self and listen to your needs.
Related: 9 Life-Changing Solo Female Travel Benefits for Well-being
Pilgrimage
Affordable Wellness Travel Ideas
In short, a pilgrimage is journey to a holy place. Essentially, it is happening both internally and externally. That holy place is the source of your intention or journey. So, once again, the options are infinite for your personal needs. Since the Middle Ages, people have been walking the Way of St. James or the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Recently, I experienced the Shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupre. This is the oldest pilgrimage site in North America. Near Quebec City, Canada the basilica is known to inspire healing miracles for its pilgrims.
Related: My Healing Pilgrimage to Shrine of St. Anne de Breaupre in Quebec, Canada
Once again, you can design your own pilgrimage with its personal quest or intention. The pilgrimage can be literally to a holy place for your spiritual or healing reasons. Also, a pilgrimage can mark important rite-of-passages in our lives. Pilgrimage ideas include ancestral for heritage connection. Other options include pivotal chapters in life, such as, a break up or divorce, graduation from college or high school, menopause or even empty nesting.
Digital Detox Retreat
It is no secret that our phones and computers impede our connections to real life and nature. Depending on your needs, options for a Digital Detox include anything from your own disciplined reduction or organized retreat.
Think more green time and less screen time.
By taking a break from your devices, you experience benefits, such as, reduced stress levels, improved focus, better self-image, and relief from physical issues like eye strain and headaches So, consider unplugging and giving yourself a digital detox to recharge and reconnect with the world around you!
Related: Wellness Travel in a Treehouse at Earth Lodge near Antigua, Guatemala
Retreat
Affordable Wellness Travel Ideas
Retreats offer escape or a venue for renewal. This is where you think out of the box. What are you truly needing? If it’s solitude, honor this. Solitude or solo travel is the ultimate way to connect with your true self and heart. Are you needing a cabin in the woods, a bungalow on the beach or a hike to that mountaintop.
Maybe, you are needing inspiration from others through art or meditation. Vipassana Meditation Retreats involve the formal Buddhist ritual that abstains from talking and goes inward with meditation practices. A variety of retreats cultivate your creativity through art, painting, yoga or writing.
Healthy Travels Everyone!
Wellness adventures provide us with a getaway from our routine to reconnect with our true selves. This is unique as our individual fingerprint. While travelling, I constantly search for new ideas that cultivate health. If you recently embarked on a wellness travel getaway, please share your ideas below.
