A WayCation To Wellness

Since September of 2008 or since the start of a financial crisis of historic proportions, we have all been scrambling and trying to re-group. Everybody is affected and now may be a good time to be resourceful and take a new look at some areas of our lives without feeling deprived and having a sense of loss.

One area to take a closer look at is how to get away from work and stress, how we "re-charge the batteries" in our bodies. What we have been doing is go on a vacation with our self, a loved one, friend or family. And that might still be the kind of escape and getaway we mostly choose.
Mindful spending will pave the road for many people, who need a vacation yet need to be resourceful how to make that happen.

A waycation can be a 3-5 days break from it all. This kind of spa getaway can be refreshing, fun, educational and contributing to our wellness. It can be easily arranged to a spa close by or to a destination within a 2-4 hour flight, possibly over a long weekend several times a year.

Destination spas or resort spas today offer an amazing variety of services, packages and diet and fitness programs. Spas today are taking quantum leaps away from just pampering and towards health and wellness, adventure, fitness oriented spa programs, diet and nutrition, to medical programs at spas.
By combining a vacation with health and wellness oriented programs and activities, can save money and valuable vacation time plus be beneficial for the overall well being. Here are some ideas for such mini spa vacations:

Casino and Spa

This can be a ton of fun, even for the casino cynics! Las Vegas, for example, has some of the most innovative and cutting edge spas in the US. At some Casino Resorts with Spa, fun and relaxation can be something for everyone in the family.

At ‘Canyon Ranch' Spa at the ‘Venetian' Hotel for example one can enjoy everything a vacation is made of: relaxing time by the pool, massages and body treatments at the spa, fitness including a climbing gym, diet and nutrition counseling at the health food restaurant by the spa, and additionally indulge in dining experiences and world class shopping. ‘The Mandalay Bay' offers similar features plus a beach with waves lapping at its shores. It's fake, but still fun.

Desert Hot Springs Spas

The ‘Two Bunch Palms Resort' and ‘Glen Ivy Hot Springs' in Southern California are great for family spa getaways, from 1-5 days and offer massages, detoxifying mud wraps, Jacuzzis and a variety of pools. To indulge in the healing waters at  Desert Hot Springs can be a more affordable getaway.

Hotel Resorts with Spas

These have emerged all over the country.  Choose one near an attractive location; enjoy spa treatments and local attractions.

Destination Spas

These wellness and spa retreats offer very specific programs, which address broad wellness aspects, typically in a more secluded settings, often including luxury accommodations and outdoor activities. Most of them come with a price tag. Here are some more affordable examples:

The ‘Birdwing Spa' in Minnesota offers lakeshore activities including biking, nature hikes with yoga, cross country skiing, spa lifestyle cuisine and a journey to wellness program. At the ‘Echo Valley Ranch & Spa' in BC, Canada, stays include accommodation and all meals. At this wilderness ranch people can experience outdoor activities and excursions as well as asian inspired spa treatments including Thai massage. The ‘Oaks At Ojai' in southern California has created a gentle balance between healthy spa cuisine and fitness activities. It's like summer camp, but with better food. Educational classes are offered in wellness and nutrition. Spa treatments include river rock massage and water massage (watsu).

Destination spas can be found all over the US, in Canada and abroad. They offer a different kind of vacation, that addresses all areas of our lives which need rejuvenation and rest: fitness, spa treatments and outdoor activities for our tired bodies, healthy cuisine to educate and inspire us to feed our bodies with nutritious and delicious food, educational classes for the mind, meditation and yoga for body and soul and lastly fun and adventure for the overall well being.