Editor's Letter: Weave Wellness Into Your Life
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Maya Visnyei
Even if you've only dabbled in wellness travel, you probably know how hard it can be to bring the wellness home with you. You get a killer massage that releases weeks of stress and anxiety, then board a long, difficult flight and return to your life feeling like you could really use a good massage.
Lately, the wellness world has become preoccupied with longevity, the loose theme of our special package. While the topic has a whiff of faddishness (and the obsession of certain Silicon Valley founders with living forever doesn't exactly lend it credibility), I think the longevity discussion is useful because it shifts the focus from getting pampered (though that's certainly still allowed!) to acquiring positive life habits—many of which are simply about rediscovering natural rhythms that the modern world has a way of disrupting. Whether it's rethinking your approach to sleep or prioritizing making deep connections with others in nature, these are ideas you can easily incorporate into your everyday existence. All it takes is a little mindfulness and intention. For me, it's a bit like food or decor: While you're on the road, you can pick up recipe ideas and cool ingredients, objets and design inspirations, and weave them into your life later on.
But why, you might ask, do I need a pricey vacation to start doing this stuff? Couldn't I just read a book? Well, yes, but I find that turning to travel—and friendly guides who can point me in the right direction—is the best way to practice the changes I'd like to make back home. I don't know about you, but writing as I am on January 2, I could sure benefit from some models for healthy living right now!
As I said, it's January 2, less than 48 hours since the horrific New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street. The scars will surely linger, but as Leslie Pariseau's lovely story about New Orleans two decades after Hurricane Katrina shows, the city is an incredibly resilient place, and it will bounce back. Be sure to include it in your travel plans this year.
This article appeared in the March 2025 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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