Finding out about wellbeing that works for me

Growing up with wellness

Wellbeing has always been something we were interested in as a family. Growing up in Cyprus, my dad was very into going to the gym, so was my older brother, and my mother is very into yoga, so I had the inspiration to go to the gym regularly since I was about 16. It therefore also became something I did with friends. Everyone has things in their lives that are out of their control, and for me, physical activity is how I keep my mind clear.

What I do is quite varied - I enjoy outdoor sports as much as possible, but the UK weather isn't always outdoor friendly. This summer I've played volleyball on the beach quite a lot, as well as tennis, and running is something I enjoy a lot if it's not too cold. I tend to mix things up when it comes to cardio, perhaps running a couple of times a week (I think cardio is at its best outside), but the gym is my non-negotiable for strength training.

My parents are also big on supplements, so I grew up with that as a normal part of life. I think it's quite hard to know which supplements are worth it and which ones aren't, so I put quite a lot of time into researching what's best for the outcomes I want to achieve. I've found ChatGPT quite helpful for that lately, asking what it recommends based on my life goals and offering best value for money. I've taken its suggestions for a couple of months now, and it's been helpful.

The power of other people when it comes to wellness

I think building wellbeing into your routine is a way of life. For me it's about feeling my best. It doesn't mean I don't have days where I feel bad, or when I don't want to go to the gym. Of course, there are times when I would rather stay in bed, but I've found that running clubs, and team sports are helpful for keeping me motivated.

I find that social element to be a big part of the wellbeing factor for me - it also inspires me not to fall behind. I think the people you surround yourself with can have a huge influence on your behaviours, and it's those regular behaviours that have the biggest impact on long-term health and getting results.

Supporting self-care with spas

Spas came into my life about a year before I joined Spabreaks.com. I had always thought that spa days were something that had to be very expensive, so while I had been with my parents when I was younger, as an adult I made the assumption it was something I couldn't afford. Then, for whatever reason, one day I decided to check the price of a day pass at a nearby spa and found it was surprisingly affordable. So, I started to commit to going once a month.

In doing that, I made friends with someone who was very enthusiastic about the benefits of saunas and steam rooms, and they explained more about how to use them for optimum wellness results. This year I made a commitment to incorporate the sauna and steam room into my gym routine. Having done it for eight or nine months now, I can't do a gym session without then spending time in the thermal facilities - it doesn't feel right! I do that two or three times a week and I feel so much better for it.

There are lots of reports about the benefits of saunas and steam rooms. On a personal level, I find it makes me feel relaxed, and it's supposed to be very good for muscle recovery. I think sometimes it's just routine, and sometimes I wonder if there's a placebo effect, but it doesn't really matter if it is, because it makes me feel better.

Skincare and spa treatments

I don't get to have spa treatments as often as I would like, but I do have them. In particular, I have facials a couple of times a year, and I'm interested in skincare because I had acne when I was younger, which sometimes flares up.

I tried cupping last month, which was a unique experience. Massages are obviously great alongside going to the gym, but I often fall into the habit of having them when I've already got an injury rather than preventing them - so making that more of a routine might be my next wellness goal!

Building wellbeing into everyday life

I think the key to health is routine, and I feel fortunate that my upbringing gave me good foundations for that. Growing up in Cyprus and having a Mediterranean diet gives you a real appreciation of good nutrition, and an active lifestyle is part of living in a warmer climate.

For me, the goal is to feel good as much as possible, and building wellbeing into my daily life across exercise, nutrition, and self-care, rather than treating it as the occasional treat, is what it's all about.