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7 Ways to Improve Your Well-Being

Did you know that yoga can improve your well-being by lowering stress levels and boosting the immune system? 

In honor of World Health Day 2022, we wanted to highlight the importance of physical and emotional well-being. After all, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that, on this momentous day, its primary aim was “…to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being.” 

So, if you’re in a position to hit the ground running and help straight away, then great! But if not, that’s okay too because sometimes the best place to begin is with yourself. Then, once you’ve tackled your own health and well-being, you’ll feel more empowered to help others and create sustainable well-being communities around the world. 

With that said, let’s get started! Here are seven activities that can help improve your well-being.

1: Connect With Nature

A woman embraces wellness by connecting with nature on the bridge over Bourke's Luck Potholes geological formation in the Blyde River Canyon, South Africa.
Immerse yourself in nature at Blyde River Canyon, South Africa | © ​​Alexandre G. PINK/Shutterstock

When was the last time you stopped and smelled the roses? Sure, this may be a cliché, but the meaning is still relevant. In fact, it applies more now than ever because it reminds us to focus on our physical and emotional well-being as we strive to offset the adverse effects caused by the pandemic. With this in mind, enjoy a natural boost by surrounding yourself in nature. You could even try forest bathing. Simply wander into the woods without your trusty electronics and let your senses go wild. Appreciate the beauty all around with a backyard trip or a nature adventure in a faraway destination. 

2: Rest and Rejuvenate

An older couple enjoys a glass of wine at a wellness retreat located in a beautiful setting with a thermal pool, palm trees, and the ocean in the background.
Improve your well-being with a visit to a spa or thermal pool | © ​​Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

What could be better for your well-being than a therapeutic, self-care escape in a serene setting? Well, we’d have to agree with you – nothing! Feel the stress wash away as your muscles relax in the warm, silky waters of a European thermal pool. Or enjoy a rejuvenating exfoliation experience with volcanic mud in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica. When all is said and done, your wellness escape can be any length of time such as a day of pampering at home, a quick two-day stay at a luxury spa, or even a week-long trip to an exotic place. After all, the most important thing is to focus on your own well-being and carve out time to completely unwind.

3: Enjoy a Yoga Retreat

A group of six women are increasing their well-being by doing standing yoga exercises with their backs to us.
Try a wellness activity like yoga while surrounded by stunning scenery | © ​​AnnaTamila/Shutterstock

Are you ready to clear your head and find balance? If your answer is ‘yes’, then a yoga retreat might be just the ticket for you! Participate in a sunrise yoga session in Bali. Learn new movements and breathing techniques on the picturesque shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. And find inner peace at a Buddhist temple flanked by the majestic Himalayas. Surrounded by some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, you’ll soon rediscover your spark both mentally and physically.

4: Detox the Body

With her fingers in mudra, a young woman improves her well-being through meditation at a wellness retreat in Bali.
Recharge your mind and body through meditation | © ​​zjuzjaka/Shutterstock

Since we all know that meditation, mindfulness, and massage can help improve our overall health and wellness, why not give one or all of these a try? In fact, you can even start this very moment! Sit down on the ground and cross your legs like a pretzel. Relax your body. Breathe in, breathe out. Let your mind grow quiet and feel the stress just melt away. Do you feel a little better already? Now, just imagine what a multi-day wellness retreat could do for you.

5: Embrace Slow Living

A woman in a white summer dress is looking down at the beautiful Porto Katsiki beach and turquoise sea on Lefkada island, Greece.
Adopt the slow life with a beach holiday on Lefkada island, Greece | © ​​Sven Hansche/Shutterstock

Although we often fight against it, change can sometimes be the very thing we need most in our lives. With this in mind, why not break free from your normal routine – wake up, go to work, socialize with friends and family, eat dinner, and go to sleep – and try something a little different? We recommend embracing the art of slow living on a dreamy beach getaway! So, pack a picnic, sunscreen, and your swimsuit, and get ready to spend your vacation lounging on the soft, warm sand with nothing but the weather to dictate your schedule. We guarantee that some good old vitamin D will do wonders for your well-being!

6: Try Active Adventures

A male kayaker is paddling through the sparkling blue water of the Geiranger Fjord near the Seven Sisters Waterfall, Norway.
Paddle your way to wellness along the Geiranger Fjord in Norway | © ​​Sergii Beck/Shutterstock

Are you ready to truly experience the world? Whether it’s kayaking to idyllic island coves, trekking through the jungle, surfing on sand dunes in the Sahara, or scuba diving in the colorful world under the sea, an active adventure will get your heart pumping! It’ll satisfy your deep craving for exciting, new experiences and perhaps even liberate your soul. However, don’t just take our word for it. Embark on an active adventure and discover its wellness effects for yourself.

7: Indulge in Delicious Delights

A young woman improves her well-being by enjoying a floating fruit platter in the swimming pool of a luxury hotel.
Treat yourself to floating fruit platters and other delectable dishes | © ​​Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock

As the legendary Italian film director Federico Fellini once said, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” Well, that may be true, but sometimes we just crave the pasta! All joking aside, food truly is much more than just sustenance for the body. It nourishes the mind and the soul, too. So, how would you like to nibble on a deliciously sweet pastel de nata in Portugal or sip a glass of Chianti as you walk through the world-famous vineyards of Tuscany? No matter what you choose, your culinary adventure will help you experience different cultures and transport your taste buds to a whole new world of flavor.

Top Wellness Destinations

Improve your well-being in paradise. This image shows a classic Philippine spider boat tied up on the beach of El Nido, Philippines.
Improve your well-being on a picture-perfect beach in the Philippines | © ​​saiko3p/Shutterstock

From active adventures to relaxing on a beach and experiencing life in the slow lane, there are countless ways to improve your well-being! The question is: what works best for you? Moreover, where would you like to go? If you’re looking for travel inspiration, we’ve put together a short list of the ultimate wellness destinations.

Soak in Bali’s famous Banjar Hot Springs. Go ziplining above Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest. Explore magnificent volcanic landscapes and unspoiled nature in the Azores (Portugal). And meditate with monks in Thailand. All this and more awaits you in these wonderful wellness destinations.

Ready to improve your well-being? Head over to TourRadar and start planning your wellness escape today!

Stephanie is a Content Specialist at TourRadar. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, playing tennis, or exploring the world as she strives to reach her goal of visiting 100 countries before 2025.

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