INVEST inyourself
hope is you stay there for two full minutes. I did not manage this on day one, but by day three I was more than able to stay there for that long. The results? I felt amazing. It is such an exhilarating practice and it is said to have great benefits in terms of reducing inflammation and even pain in the body.
Feeling brand new, I set off to meet Edgar Torres, a professor of wellbeing and happiness at the nearby University of Girona. He led us through a guided mindfulness experience, which surprised me in terms of how relaxed I felt after.
Then, it was time for another beautifully-prepared meal in the form of dinner in the hotel’s Restaurant 1477. This meal was, as you would expect, alcohol-free and I really enjoyed being prepared a set menu and just sticking with that – not having to make a decision was a lovely and welcome break from normal life. Finally, it was time to hit the hay in our beautiful rooms conveniently situated on the same floor as the Wellness Centre, to ready ourselves for another day of immunity-boosting bliss.
The next morning I made the very luxuriant decision to order my breakfast to the room. Having it delivered to my door as I lay in my pyjamas added an extra layer of indulgent relaxation. Soon, it was time to join immunologist, health coach and author Dr Jenna Macciochi for a movement session in the hotel’s yoga studio.
If, like me, you find group exercise classes intimidating, you needn’t worry – this class was inclusive, fun, and simply about encouraging my retreat companions and I to have fun with and enjoy moving our bodies. By the time that finished, another beautifully prepared lunch was served, featuring options like a kale salad and a seasonal vegetable curry, topped off by a raspberry mousse and green tea.
It was at this stage that I started to notice just how much energy I had. Incorporating the simplest of
things, like our movement, and focusing on nourishing foods was already having an impact. My usual, slightly frenetic way of doing things wasn’t going to work here.
Next, it was time to try one of the resort’s beautiful massage treatments, which can be tailored to your needs. You can pick from four aromatherapy blends – relax, revive, support or release – for an utterly indulgent massage. I went for the support treatment, drifting to sleep as my masseuse worked any tension into oblivion.
The treatment that followed afterward was the perfect accompaniment. A photo biomodulation is the use of medical light therapy. Fun fact: it was NASA which stumbled into the world of medical light therapy – the discovery came when they uncovered a possible solution to a longstanding problem of space travel. Without gravity, astronauts’ muscles and bones would atrophy and any wounds would heal slowly, all of which could endanger missions. NASA discovered that high-intensity red and near-infrared LEDs significantly accelerated healing.
So I found myself sleepily climbing into what looked like a sun-bed but emitted a healing and restorative red light. It is said to deliver energy into the cells of your body to deal effectively with pain, inflammation and skin repair. I noticed straight away just how at ease I felt in my body, not an ache or a pain to be found. It is certainly a treatment I would like to continue at home.
Perhaps one of the most entertaining and trendy treatments we received was the intravenous vitamin infusion. In recent years, such treatments have soared in popularity – you may have seen your favourite celebrities or influencers showcase them.
Lounging in the resort’s dedicated Wellness Centre, I was hooked up to a bespoke IV treatment created by Dr Saskia for me and packed with vitamins and minerals. It was one of those experiences that I certainly wouldn’t have thought to book for myself but I must say, as the days wore on, I felt the immune-boosting benefits. I am typing this here having been home for several weeks and it should be noted that I have not had so much as a cold since. For me, that firmly attests to its efficacy.
Another highlight was our workshop with immunologist and health coach Dr Jenna Macciochi, whose focus was to have us reflect on how we were feeling and where we wanted to get to. For all of us, it was the realisation that looking after our physical and mental well-being has to become our number one priority.
Dr Macciochi used her expert insight to help inspire and empower us to care for our immune systems and embrace the science of staying well. Using her passion for immunology, she presented us with simple rituals and routines that we could tap into when we left Camiral. The focus was on cultivating long-term health and wellbeing practices rather than delivering a quick-fix that would fail to establish any future benefits. During our time there, it became clear that there are pillars in our health that we need to focus on for a healthy and balanced diet, ie ensuring that we are drinking enough water and staying hydrated and getting adequate sleep to allow our bodies to recover and to strengthen our immune system. Quality sleep also helps to reduce our stress levels.
Managing chronic stress is crucial. We learned to do this using methods like meditation, yoga, deep breathing or even just getting out into the resort’s beautiful grounds for a walk. It should be noted that for golf lovers, Camiral is known as Spain’s number one golfing resort and welcomes guests to play on its two critically-acclaimed courses or practice at the Golf Hub.
Camiral is a world-class European Tour destination and a three-time host of the Spanish Open. While your focus might be elsewhere while embarking on a retreat, you will have free time to do your own thing and perhaps for you, nothing says free time like a round of golf. The facilities are there to be enjoyed by all levels of players and with breathtaking views, it is certainly worth giving some time to this.
I used my free time to avail of the Wellness Centre’s thermal facilities, which included a pool, a cold plunge pool, a steam room and, my personal favourite, a sauna, where I cosied up to take in the beautiful adjacent views and watch the sun go down. Everything about this space is special and it has brilliantly combined old and new to bring you closer to optimal wellness in your own time and your way.
Soon it was time to leave this incredible five-star slice of heaven. I had arrived feeling tired and burnt out and left feeling restored after an unforgettable few days. This trip helped to redefine what it means to be well – what started as a retreat soon evolved into so much more. It became something that inspired and reinvigorated me. It is, it should be acknowledged, a big investment in yourself but if you feel this year is the year of doing something just for you, this might just be what you have been looking for.
The Strengthen & Revive Immunity Retreat all-inclusive package starts at €3,019. Included in the package are designated retreat activities, treatments, meals, and access to the Wellness Centre & Spa facilities. Room upgrades, extra treatments and consultations are available at an additional cost. Flight transfers from Barcelona to Girona airport can be arranged upon request. To learn more and to book, see camiral.com.