Hit the Reset Button with Wellness Travel

Do you need a reboot? Wellness travel is about upgrading your mindset, your perspective and your life.

With stress at epidemic levels, wellness tourism is gaining momentum. Vacations focusing on wellbeing are a highly valued component of self-care, especially since people are proactively seeking a better quality of life. There’s a flood of research about loneliness, depression and the increasing rate of preventable chronic diseases.

Wellness vacations are purpose-driven. They involve a conscious decision to step away from routine commitments and to reboot.

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That means taking time to reflect, to challenge yourself to try new things, to visit new places and to come back a better version of you. Time well spent on vacation translates into increased happiness, more vitality, increased productivity and lowered stress.

We have CPAs to keep finances in order, lawyers to oversee legal affairs, housekeepers to maintain homes, fitness instructors to maintain healthy habits and massage therapists to unknot muscles.

Who reminds us it’s time to take a vacation that’s good for you?

This is where travel agents come in. There’s a whole new breed of travel agents specializing in wellness travel that are also purpose-driven. They find this niche both personally and professionally rewarding because they understand.

Kiron Dhaliwal, president of California-based Concierge Vacations, Inc., worked in high tech for many years and knows the pressure and stressors involved in working full time and trying to manage a family.

“I decided to pursue this as a focus area in my business so I could help others like myself remain grounded and prevent burnout,” she said. “I found myself burning the candle at both ends and becoming increasingly frustrated and resentful with my situation. It was during this time that I began to turn inward and look at what really brought me joy. As I took more time for self-care, I realized I was better able to take care of everyone who counted on me and also better able to balance my workload. This was a natural transition into wellness travel.”

Kathryn Schultz, an independent advisor with Largay Travel and President of Kathryn Theodore Travel, was motivated by a passion for both wellness and travel. Travel is her second career. A mentor encouraged her to select a specialty.

“I didn't want to limit myself to one geographical area, so I asked myself what I loved,” said Shultz. “Wellness and travel are the best of both worlds.”

READ MORE: The Trends Shaping Travel in 2018

TravelPulse: What’s driving the continued interest in healthy vacations?

KD: People, especially Californians, are very health conscious and couple this with the never-ending demands of work and an already hectic lifestyle, it’s no wonder clients are looking for a digital detox to help reconnect with themselves and nature.

TravelPulse: Where have you visited recently that you feel epitomizes wellness?

KD: If I had to pick one that stood out, it would be Miraval in Tucson. From outdoor fitness classes to workshops on health and wellness, from spiritual offerings like energy healing and Tibetan sound bowl healing to the availability of specialists in trauma therapy, Miraval offered myriad options to suit most of the intentions with which a client may choose to come to this wellness resort. To top it off, the food is incredible and they even offered wine with dinner, which for some clients is an important element for their vacation.

KS: Rancho La Puerta is my favorite. It’s the best value for the money and they offer so much.

TravelPulse: What are some of the wellness hotspots in a city that you frequent or like to suggest to your clients?

KD: Being in the Bay Area, we are blessed to have so many wellness options within a short driving distance. Cavallo Point across the Golden Gate Bridge is fantastic and seems like a world away while providing stunning views of the city. Napa has some phenomenal spa and wellness resorts, including Carneros Inn, which offers bikes on the property with which to explore the area as well as a variety of fitness classes including yoga, Pilates and a vineyard walk/run.

KS: The Langham Hotel's Chuan Spa is voted the best in the Midwest. It is truly an amazing experience. Aire Ancient Baths recently opened in a restored 1902 factory. You are transported to the Roman, Greek and Ottoman baths. And then we have incredible specialists in Ayurveda, raw food, pain management, acupuncture and meditation among others.

Instead of hunting and pecking online and sifting through hundreds of advertorials and sponsored content, choose a wellness travel agent who understands your motivations and needs. There is no replacing the human element, especially when it comes to booking a wellness vacation. Wellness travel agents can carefully curate your valuable vacation time that can transform your life.