NOURISHING THE HEART AND SOUL

Many of us love to take time out to nourish and support our wellbeing and improve our mental state, especially when things become stressful or life challenges us. Taking a spa is a timeless activity used to care and nurture ourselves. We have been engaging in these rituals since the times of ancient civilisations – the Romans established the first English spa bath in 43AD. The practice has since evolved to include hot tubs, steam baths, massage and various therapeutic services. What exactly is it about this pursuit that keeps us going back for a good long soak? Emily-Rose investigates…

Exciting spa breaks range from inexpensive hour-long sessions in a local pool, to weekend-long experiences in scintillating settings such as the Scottish Highlands, the Dubai Marina or New York City. Back in the Scotland, Cameron House boasts a newly renovated indoor pool, hydro and hot tub areas, showers with LED coloured lighting and a ‘rooftop infinity pool’ after investing £300,000 into the project. Gillian McGraffin, Spa Director, said: “From its signature rooftop infinity pool overlooking Loch Lomond to its curated treatment menu, Cameron Spa continues to offer one of Scotland’s most distinctive wellness escapes.” 

If you’re after an adventure further afield, Dubai Marina is home to some classy pampering havens such as Amonia Spa which offers hot stone massage and a Moroccan bath. Often these spas are part of a hotel experience and guests can enjoy the benefits as part of their stay.

Spas improve wellbeing, help us to sleep better and relax our muscles physically – especially important if you’re on a business trip or have just landed after a long flight.

If you’re after an adventure further afield, Dubai Marina is home to some classy pampering havens such as Armonia Spa which offers hot stone massage and a Moroccan bath. Often these spas are part of a hotel experience and guests can enjoy the benefits as part of their stay. Spas improve wellbeing, help us to sleep better and relax our muscles physically – especially important if you’re on a business trip or have just landed after a long flight.

For the city lovers, New York City houses some of the top spas in the world such as Spa Castle offering day spa sessions with hydrotherapy pools, Korean scrubs, facials and body treatments. Why not combine a day out in Central Park or perusing MoMA with a relaxing spa? As a perfect way to end a sight-seeing trip or to punctuate a busy week, spas are there to serve and indulge us all.

Why do we love spas? There is an instantly calming effect on the mind and body – initially opening the pores and allowing our body to sweat out harmful toxins, and then a sense of peace and calm can be found. Perhaps once we allow out body to relax physically, we give ourselves permission to relax mentally too – especially in the winter time when we may feel stiffer or sluggish in the cold weather. Spas can provide the much needed respite from an icy day outdoors. Cooler countries such as Finland are known for their wood-fired saunas, with over three-million saunas in the country it is a cultural must in the colder months and an integral part of their community and culture.

Hand-crafted options in Edinburgh include the infamous traditional wood fired Soul Water Sauna with a community focus offering day retreats, sixty and ninety-minute sessions and workshops. They have two outdoor saunas, a plunge pool and easy access to dip your toe in the sea. Their website states: ‘’rooted in centuries-old practices, our saunas offer more than just physical warmth – they invite a sense of belonging, where community spirit thrives and the simple act of being present becomes something magical’’.

A further alternative to physical buildings for spas are naturally occurring spas found in various special places in nature.

For example, Rotorua in New Zealand is known for being the ‘geothermal capital’ with its glorious natural forming hot springs you can bathe in as part of their outdoor spa experience. New Zealand is also home to naturally occurring hot springs near Lake Tekapo and the Maruia River.

Ultimately, this practice has survived over the centuries because it taps into our human needs – we need to be warm, to feel community around us and to nurture our body, mind and soul. Whether life is feeling chaotic, or whether we simply want a luxurious weekend break with family and friends, spas can be the answer to many of life’s big questions. Often, it really is the simple things in life that bring us pleasure.