It is now a fact that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we live and work. First was isolation, a mandatory measure; and most people in the industry slowly adjusted to a limited, indoor existence with the majority of their daily activities confined to the home.
This extended into work, and work-from-home (WFH), a previously little-used perk of corporate culture became the norm. With the unpredictability of the pandemic, WFH is now an established practice with increasing numbers of hotels companies adopting it.
Though it has its benefits, it also comes with an accompanying set of challenges. Of these, the blurring between hours of work and rest is the first – prior to the pandemic, work hours were clearly defined. Already an endemic in the hospitality sector, now the boundaries have completely dissolved. It is assumed that hospitality professionals are available to answer emails or queries at any given hour.
In addition, the camaraderie of the workplace in a hotel, and the structure that came with a workday have vanished. With no more commute to signal the beginning and end of a workday, an essential marker of daily routine and peer-based interactions have been relegated to the past.
This has left most professionals with a feeling of being unmoored. Add to this the heavy cognitive load that is demanded by the high-stress professions of today, and the potential for work-from-home burnout becomes a serious consideration.
What is needed now, more than ever, is time to take a break – a pause from the insistent demands of work and an opportunity to connect with oneself and with people in a meaningful manner. It is time we slow down, stop, and take stock of one’s mental, physical, and spiritual health.
In a nutshell, it is a good time to take a holiday, to unplug ourselves from the city, and look to travel and nature for rest and rejuvenation. While most hoteliers talk about it, not many walk this talk about how travel is a wonderful way to beat a sedentary lifestyle.
It increases levels of physical activity and allows you to spend time outdoors, and in the fresh air. It improves your overall mood and sleep patterns and lowers the risk of depression. Even a weekend holiday is a welcome change of pace from the everyday routine, giving you much needed time away from daily stressors. It is a great opportunity to boost self-esteem and meet new people.
Travel to areas off-the-beaten-track is also a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. Humans have an innate need to engage with nature – this phenomenon, called ‘biophilia’ or ‘love of life’ explains why propinquity with nature heals and rejuvenates us.
As Henry David Thoreau says in Walden, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately….” We could all do with a bit of living deliberately, of being present in the moment, and of giving ourselves the gift of wellbeing.
Given the trials of WFH and tiredness from constantly living and working online, a wellness retreat is an ideal way to destress. For one, they are situated in nature-rich areas.
Research shows what the body knows –that being in green spaces such as gardens or forests is restful and soothing. It encourages us to slow down, breathe and be mindful of the presence of other lifeforms around us. Humans are part of the cycle of nature – we may choose to live in cities, but the yearning to return to nature for solace is a constant desire.
A small but growing number of enlightened hoteliers now offer nature-based, wellness destinations that are biophilic, sustainable, and promote the practices of wellbeing. Their peers can begin the journey to cleansing and training body and mind with a choice of holistic healing techniques and practices such as bespoke Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, and meditation, nutrition-rich farm-to-table diets as well as traditional therapies such as sound healing and reiki. Increasing numbers of domestic and international travellers now opt for such wellness-based, slow, sustainable holidays – the calm and healthful experience proving to be the ideal counter to the stresses of today’s lifestyle.
With the pandemic causing travel restrictions and constantly changing rules, all-inclusive wellness retreats are perfect for a cocooned getaway. Most follow international sanitation and hygiene protocols and have large, open spaces for guests to explore. Restaurants offering a selection of cuisines, and curated events through the day offer a variety of experiences, and as the retreat has all you need on the property, it ensures a safer stay. A wellness holiday is a chance to break off, live for yourself and positively impact your mind, body, and spirit with healthy results inside and out.
In summation, travel is the first step towards changing the status quo. In the words of an anonymous author, “Travel allows you to become so many different versions of yourself.” So travel, take a holiday, explore, make memories, and reap the benefits that it brings.
