Like Oprah said, “The question is not ‘How busy are you?’ but ‘What are you busy at?’ Are you doing what fulfills you?” Our culture has become obsessed with ‘being busy’ – when someone mentions how hectic their week is, people usually respond with a ‘busy is good’, despite not necessarily even knowing how that person fills all of his or her time. A jam-packed agenda does not necessarily equate to aspirational productivity. We should be asking ourselves if we are doing activities to challenge our intellect, promote inner growth or renewal.
Another thing that is often dismissed in our ‘busy’ culture is the idea of relaxation, despite the compelling evidence to show that taking time to still the mind and calm the body has an incredibly positive impact on our immune systems and significantly lowers our stress levels. We need to make time to slow down, reflect and recover otherwise we end up feeling like hamsters running around on a wheel. Relaxation time and solitude are pre-requisites for a Zen-like mind. Quality ‘me time’ is like a short holiday for the soul.
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh rightly points out that we humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting. Instead, we worry too much and don’t allow our bodies, minds or hearts to heal. “Relaxation is essential for our physical, mental, emotional and relational well-being,” explains Thich Nhat Hanh.
Bearing that in mind, I’ve learned to incorporate little atolls of solitude into my daily life. This week for instance, I spent three hours unwinding at De La Mer spa. After enjoying a hot ginger tea, I was led to a tranquil treatment room for a two-hour Mint & Mocha pampering package. This natural treatment kicks off with a coffee scrub and mint scrub, made from ingredients grown in the spa’s own organic garden. While my body is being gently exfoliated, the gorgeous scent of this concoction floats around the room, while I drift off into soporific bliss. I adore the smell of freshly ground coffee, so this body scrub was ideal for me. Later, I am enveloped in a detoxifying mint & coffee wrap, which warms up my entire body. While the skin softening ingredients work their magic – coffee beans are known for their slimming, firming effect – the therapist gives me a blissful head massage. Then I shower off before being treated to a full body massage with shea butter, leaving my skin feeling silky smooth. If you’re looking to devote time to re-energising your spirit, De La Mer is a wonderful place to unwind. Needless to say, I left feeling very Zen.
To find out more information about De La Mer spa e-mail info@delamerspa.com
Have a chillaxing day!
