A common perception of a “wellness traveler” is someone who is determined to sweat and starve themselves into weight loss at a fat camp. Or maybe you think of a wellness traveler as a diva who lounges at a destination spa getting a series of massages and facials. Well, wellness travel has expanded a long way from those narrow definitions. You might just be a wellness traveler yourself and didn’t even realize it!

Wellness travel is about treating mind, body, and soul. It’s about finding activities that make you feel better emotionally, physically or spiritually. A wellness traveler uses these experiences to affect positive change in their lives. The journey may take one of several different paths: de-stressing your mind, re-energizing your body, exploring your inner self, managing a life transition, or healing your spirit. Wellness travel is never one-size-fits-all, so here are some options to consider, depending on your own wellness needs.

Why do YOU need wellness travel?

Your work and life are stressful and you need to relax.

Two words to help you unwind: digital detox. These days cell phones, email, and social media are omnipresent – and the constant attention they demand is stressful and draining. Put the technology away and connect with the people and nature around you. At wellness resorts, you’ll find stress management classes, relaxation massage or yoga at sunrise overlooking an awe-inspiring vista. Relaxation can come in many forms: soak in Roman baths at Puglia’s Borgo Egnazia, enjoy a wild honey scrub in Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai’s stunning spa, or taste a flight at the on-site brewery at Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm.

You want to tune up your body and get on a healthier path.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your physical health, consider a wellness resort that offers active lifestyle pursuits. For example, Mukul Beach Golf & Spa on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast offers fun surf and yoga retreats, suitable for beginners to experts. Or the Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa offers hiking and biking through the vineyards of Sonoma Valley. Add conscious eating to your vacation and you’ve found your personal wellness traveler style.

You need to calm your mind and rediscover your inner self.

Mindful meditation is an ancient practice that has finally gained some attention in the fast-paced American lifestyle. Meditation has been found to influence pain relief, reduce anxiety, and promote clearer thinking. If this is your kind of wellness travel, try the destination spa Mii amo nestled in the red rock landscape of Sedona, where you can explore the area’s energy vortices and find stillness with guided meditation. Or choose Fonteverde in the rolling hills of Tuscany that offers a seven-day equilibrium program with a thermal spa circuit and stress-busting mindfulness techniques.

You’ve had a major life transition and want to regain focus.

Marriage or divorce, births or deaths, a new job or retirement all have one thing in common – they all require major adjustments to the status quo of our lives. Often big changes throw us off kilter and make us feel out of control, but there’s a wellness solution to that, too. At Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas, you can regain your focus with yoga on the dock, sunset wine cruises, and the Achieving Life Goals discovery program.

You need to heal your spirit.

If life is simply overwhelming and you’ve lost your inner chi, wellness travel can be a lifesaver. Participating in activities that show you how to reconnect with an open heart and deal with emotional and mental pressures can heal your spirit. For example, programs built around horses have been recognized as therapeutic for those working through trauma or emotional issues. At Miraval in Arizona, you can reclaim your joy with equine therapy and very focused personalized attention.

The goal of wellness travelers is to feel better – but their individual challenges and wellness paths to address them come in many forms. Some wellness resorts specialize in spa treatments, others in healthy food, and still others in outdoor activity. There’s no one-size-fits-all wellness traveler or resort. For assistance in finding the right destination for your wellness needs, contact your Covington vacation advisor today.