According to the Global Wellness Institute, “depression and anxiety are skyrocketing” and it’s predicted that by 2030 the former will outrank obesity as the world’s No. 1 health issue.
We all need an occasional break to rest, rejuvenate and recover from tension-building routines. Luckily in Canada, a getaway can be done on our terms, not far from home. Attend a day spa for a few hours. If you have more time, book a stay at a resort spa known for vacation-style activities and add a menu for fitness and well-being. Or drive to a destination spa and immerse yourself totally in mind-and-body therapies and superfoods. Here are some very attractive prevention ideas available across the country:
ATLANTIC CANADA
Resort Spa:
On the Bay of Fundy in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, check into a guest room at the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa or opt for one of its cottages with a cosy fireplace and private veranda. Take in the fresh sea air while beachcombing, hiking along forested trails or golfing on the par 71, 18-hole golf course. Sign up for the resort’s daily sensory experiences, which could include its signature “apple treatments” of the Annapolis Valley, a themed massage or a rejuvenation treatment of the face, skin and hair. Later, dine in style on fresh seafood, prime rib or on other talk-of-the-town chef specialties. digbypines.ca
Halifax Day Spa:
In Halifax, attend to your wellness needs at Spirit Spa, a place that pledges to soothe the body with natural ingredients, extracts and essential oils. All of it works wonders, the regulars say, to recharge energy and help the spirit soar. spiritspa.ca
QUÉBEC
Destination Spa:
Just a couple of hours from Montréal, the Eastern Townships are woven into the panoramic countryside in which Spa Eastman enjoys its own 1.3-square-kilometre estate. Plush guest rooms assure a restful start to every day followed by all of the renewal possibilities in the spa pavilions, featuring a particular expertise in pain relief. Consultations help to select just the right treatment path such as yoga, massage or thermotherapy and hydrotherapy treatments in the saunas, Nordic baths and pools. Before and afterward, all of the pleasure in tending to your nourishment strictly adheres to one notion—you are what you eat—so surely the Spa Eastman glow will remain long after you return home. spa-eastman.com
Montréal Day Spa:
On Boulevard Saint-Laurent, the philosophy at Espace Nomad is holistic: your beauty is the result of the whole. Ranging from butters and scrubs to organic honey wraps, treatments are free of toxic chemicals and encourage better energy circulation and an awakening of the inner healing process. espacenomad.ca
ONTARIO
Resort Spa:
Deep in the Muskoka woodlands and waterways (not far from Huntsville), the Trillium Resort and Spa is an adults-only retreat known for its guest chalets and cottages and for its casual fine dining. Hike six kilometres on surrounding trails, ride mountain bikes, canoe, kayak or ski and snowshoe during the winter months. The spa component is housed in a grand, post-and-beam building on three spacious floors, including a couple’s room for massages, facials and other body treatments such as hand and foot care. Ask about thalassotherapy, which incorporates the medical use of sea and marine products for superior exfoliation, sustenance, healing and vitality. trilliumspa.com
Toronto Day Spa:
Let the Miraj Hammam Spa indulge your senses with its signature steam, exfoliation and massage cleansing, a specialty in the category called hammam and gommage treatments. Or, inquire about the anti-aging benefits of vinotherapie, a beauty process which puts the pulp residue of wine-making to very good use. mirajcaudaliespa.com
ALBERTA
Resort Spa:
Recently opened in Banff, the four-star Moose Hotel & Suites is showcasing its unique brand of mountain elegance, first experienced in the guest rooms and social spaces and also in Pacini, where you’ll dine on gourmet Italian fare. Spend your days on the wilderness trails or strolling through Banff, and carve out sufficient time in the Meadow Spa & Pools. On the rooftop for starters, soothe tired muscles in the outdoor hot pool surrounded by nature and the silence of the Rocky Mountains. Body massage is a specialty in the Meadow Spa. Target muscle tension, circulation, stress, restlessness and sleeping problems with an array of relaxation therapies ranging from the use of hot stones to aromatic oils. As well, body therapies tackle digestion detox, skin nourishment, exfoliation, while other treatments are for the sole purpose of making you simply beautiful. moosehotelandsuites.com
Calgary Day Spa:
When in town, treat your mind, body and spirit to a few hours being pampered in the Riverside Spa. Specialties include reflexology and raindrop therapy as well as dedicated services for couples and for men. If you ask for the signature abhyanga stress-relief massage with warm herbal oils, it will be geared precisely to your own unique chemistry. riversidespa.ca
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Resort Spa:
For the cluttered mind, a getaway into the mountain air of Whistler is soothing in itself, so imagine the results if you add the power of spa treatments. At the exclusive Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel, for instance, steal away for a few hours into the timeless Indonesian traditions of the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa. Whether your goal is to improve a specific discomfort, fix a disorder or alleviate pain, you will be treated like royalty. Targeted massage, reflexology, hydrotherapy, scrubs, cleansing and beauty enhancements are all on the menu. And later, so will be tapas and sushi—two memorable dining specialties at this grand Whistler property. summitlodge.com
Vancouver Day Spa:
Inside the award-winning Le Petit Spa, you’ll be encouraged to drift off to the sunny hillsides of rural France, even though, in reality, you’re on West Broadway. Renewal and harmony abound however with your choice of relaxation therapies and skin rejuvenation treatments—and if you add the pampering of hands, feet and hair, une belle personne à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur will emerge to embrace all that life has to offer. lepetitspa.ca
