6 Ways To Elevate Your Wellness Routine

In partnership with The Old Government House Hotel & Spa

When your 'To You' list starts to feel like a To Do list, that's when you know you need to mix it up. A busy schedule (no matter what is on it) can feel like a list of chores - and whether it's fitting in a workout, a nail appointment or even just keeping your skin hydrated before you go to bed, we don't want wellness to become something we feel we have to do. On the contrary, it is something that we get to do and that is something to be grateful for. 

There is also no need to settle for box ticking when you can elevate your experience a little; turn your skincare routine into an at-home spa experience every evening. Meet friends for a glass of champagne or a cliff walk instead of a coffee. Follow your gym workout with a few minutes in the sauna. Have a screen-free breakfast. Light a candle in the evening. There are ways to upgrade your daily wellness activities to make them truly feel like a luxury experience. And who better to get advice from than the five star experts at a five star hotel? (well yeah, that's what we thought.)

Our friends at The OGH know how to pop the cherry on top of an experience, so here are some tips from them to elevate your wellness routine, whether at home or away.

 

1.  Take Care Of Yourself.

Self care can often be interpreted as anything you want it to be. It's not all blankets and spa treatments. (Editor’s note: But they help - especially with the new team at the spa!) But real self care is setting boundaries. It's managing the expectations that you put on yourself and, to quote a cliché, making sure that you are putting on your own oxygen mask first. Often self care and grooming is the first thing to slip when we feel stressed or overwhelmed. When we’re busy, these tasks can seem self-indulgent and unnecessary. But not only do they allow us an hour to escape our schedules and feel rested, they also leave us feeling more confident in the way that we are presenting ourselves to the world, both literally and figuratively.

The moment you step into the sanctuary of a spa, you can feel your mind start to settle and the outside world slips away for a short period of time. It will all still be there when you step back out again. You’ll just be more prepared to deal with it.

 

2.  Schedule Rest.

Speaking of taking a second for ourselves, it’s also important not to pack our days with more appointments - and allow our wellness admin to become a chore. There is a well-documented phrase that says 'You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes everyday - unless you're too busy; then you should sit for an hour.' There is always time to quieten the mind if you look for it. Look at your day and find space to breathe. And if there really isn’t any - create that space.

If your mornings feel hectic, set your alarm to wake you up a little earlier so that you can have a calm start to your day. Add on a 10min sauna or whirlpool session after your workout. Leave earlier for an appointment and walk the scenic route. Head straight for a long hot shower once the kids are in bed. Go for a walk around the block if a problem at work doesn’t seem resolvable. A physical reset often resets the mind too.

 

3.  Hire a PT to Optimise Your Workout.

We go to a dentist when we need help with our teeth. And to an optician for our eyes. Why not go to a professional for our bodies? A personal trainer can help you design a fitness programme that best meets your personal needs. Together you can set safe, achievable goals that work for you, from beginner to next level fitness - that scale it.

Whether you need a one-off session to reassess what you’re doing in the gym, personalised support in each workout or even someone to make an appointment with each week to hold you accountable and maintain a consistent routine, you can make it work for you.

 

 

4.  Eat Good Food.

The food we consume is so much more than fuel for our bodies. The food choices we make impact our health in many ways, physically and emotionally, so it’s important to make good food choices and use quality ingredients, which provide the nutrients, vitamins and minerals your body needs to help you stay healthy and happy.  

As with many things, it starts with the basics. Use fresh, quality ingredients and where possible source locally produced, seasonal produce. When eating out, choose a restaurant which shares this ethos to make your experience both enjoyable and nurturing.

 

5.  Pay Attention To Skincare Ingredients.

It’s not just what we put into our bodies that matters; what we put onto our bodies is also really important. The skin is the body’s largest organ - and very absorbent - so review your skincare routine and invest in high quality beauty products. You can ask the team at The Spa at The OGH to recommend something specific to your skin type and needs. 

The spa now offers Phytomer treatments and take-home products. The St Malo-based family brand was developed by spa experts using natural, organic ingredients in an sustainable way and packaged in eco-responsible material.

 

6.  Enjoy Quality Time With Others

The sense of belonging and emotional support that comes from quality relationships with family and friends is one of the key cornerstones of wellbeing. It’s important to make time to connect with those who are important to you. And we mean really connect. In a world where it’s all too easy to seek validation from ‘virtual friends’ it is especially important to nurture friendships and ensure you share special moments together with those you care about.

So make time to spend time together, and make this time special. Get together for dinner, catch up over coffee or meet up for a drink after work. Switch off, tune into the conversation and enjoy each other’s company. 

 

 

The Old Government House & Hotel is encouraging our local community to prioritise me-time with a luxury gym and spa experience by escaping to a 5 star sanctuary in the heart of town.

With a gym and spa membership at The OGH, you can benefit from:

• Unlimited use of gym, whirlpool, sauna, steam room.
• Unlimited access to conditioning and aerobic classes.
• 10% discount on all spa treatments.
• 10% discount on all food and drinks in the hotel bars and restaurants.
• 10% discount on accommodation if you’re planning a luxury staycation.