Make the move into wellness, Scottish style
Be mindful that where you live can be a key factor in finding a contented life balance, advises Kirsty Mcluckie
The term wellness has grown in importance in the last decade. Instead of taking physical wellbeing in isolation, it measures overall mental and physical health including mindfulness, happiness and a good life balance.
The drive for it informs every aspect of life, and our homes are no exception, but Scotland has much to offer those who are seeking balance in their lives.
The global wellness trend is a way for life for many Scottish residents, according to Strutt & Parker’s Scottish Lifestyle Survey.
Carried out by Atomik Research this questioned 2,000 Scottish residents about various aspects of living, working and holidaying in Scotland, the majority of whom thought its lifestyle and the great outdoors made it stand out from the rest of the UK.
Susanna Clark, director of research for Strutt & Parker in Scotland said: “Scotland’s stunning and abundant natural resources help in the pursuit of that state of complete physical, mental and emotional wellbeing that constitutes wellness.”
She says that the survey revealed that health, fitness and enjoying Scotland’s spectacular scenery or a combination of all three were high on the list of lifestyle highlights.
“This is often reflected in the premium for property located in some of the areas that promote wellness as a lifestyle.”
As an example, at the end of December 2018, the average price of a property in Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorms, was £224,990, 19 per cent above the Highland average of £188,690 while Gairloch on the West Coast enjoyed a 23 per cent premium.
The pretty town of Pitlochry also maintains a substantial premium of 20 per cent within Perth and Kinross with property prices averaging £236,625 at the end of 2018. Aberfeldy, also favoured for its access to the great outdoors, commands a 21 per cent premium over the rest of Perth and Kinross with an average price of £239,000. North Berwick, popular also for its commuting options as well as for its lifestyle advantages maintained a 96 per cent premium over the East Lothian average.
The report found that people who had moved to Scotland felt happier, less stressed and more active, all key tenets of a move towards wellness. Many reported improvements in both mental health and physical health and over a quarter said they led a healthier lifestyle as a result of the move.
Clark added: “Additionally, respondents described their lives as happy (44 per cent), family-orientated (43 per cent), satisfying (39 per cent) and healthy (27 per cent).”
Kevin Maley, head of residential for Strutt & Parker in Scotland, said: “The great outdoors is a way of life for a lot of people who have made Scotland their home or are considering doing so. It is often a very important factor for buyers moving to the country. From beach walks, watersports and diving into abundant bays, rivers and lochs to hikes, golf and mountain biking, Scotland has a tremendous amount to offer both permanent residents and visitors searching for a sense of wellbeing that comes from being outdoors or in tune with nature.”