This year, actress and TV presenter Denise van Outen has joined the Spabreaks.com team as an ambassador for spa breaks and all round feel good factor. A mum of one, a keen golfer and a big fan of balance, here she explains what a spa break means to her…

Denise at Reynolds Retreat

What made you want to work with Spabreaks.com?

I believe it’s really important sometimes to step away from your life and have a break. We have such hectic lifestyles whether you work full time, are a single parent, a working mum or dad - we fill our diaries so much that it’s important to step away sometimes and pamper a bit, and the hotels on Spabreaks.com are such nice places to go! It’s good to get away with friends or partners!

What do you value about the spa experience?

You always feel refreshed afterwards; it’s like recharging a battery. Sometimes you’re so busy running around that you forget about yourself and you don’t even realise how much you need a break until you have one. To my mind there’s more value in having a spa break where you really take time to relax, than spending money in a fancy restaurant - you need to look after your health.

“Whenever I make the time to go to a spa I wonder why I don’t do it more often…”

Have you had a favourite spa experience?

I have had many! One of the best was after I climbed Kilimanjaro. I had trained for months and it was a real treat for myself and I felt like I really deserved it.

Do you think spas have a serious role to play in health and wellbeing?

Yes absolutely! I think people underestimate how much it’s needed. Until you try it don’t realise how much your mind and body needed that care and attention. People need to make the time and should be encouraged to do so because it’s great for your mental health as well as your physical health.

Denise with Spabreaks.com Managing Director, Abi Wright at Reynolds Retreat

How have you experienced those benefits yourself?

Yes always, whenever I make the time to go to a spa I wonder why I don’t do it more often. It’s not just about the treatments, it’s also spending time with friends. My friends have kids and I went away with one of my best friends a couple of years ago and got to talk the way we did pre children and it was wonderful. It’s about connecting with people - friends and partners - as well as having time to yourself.

What value do you think the spa experience offers men?

I think that a lot of men want to go to spas but often feel it’s not macho enough until they get there and realise what it’s about, so I think it’s a great gift for men to give them the opportunity to understand it more.

Is it something you prefer to do on your own or with friends/a partner?

All of It really! I like my own company sometimes, but it’s really nice to have a girly catch up, and if I go away with Eddie it’s a really good way to spend quality time together.

“Sometimes you’re so busy running around that you forget about yourself…”

How do you tackle body confidence in your own life?

I just try to make sure I stay as fit as I can. It’s not necessarily about going to the gym, I just walk and try to get out in the fresh air. I play a lot of golf so I am out and about keeping fit without thinking about it too much. Then eating well and getting plenty of sleep is also very important - for me feeling like I am looking after myself is all tied up with body confidence. It’s not about weight, it’s about feeling happy in yourself.

What does a balanced life mean to you?

It means spending time with my friends, my daughter and going away. You don’t always have to plan things; go on an adventure and discover something different - it’s just a click away!

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