Maintaining wellness practices and morning routines have become more important than ever in the current climate. Curating a new sense of calm, routine and relaxation will work wonders for our mental health and wellbeing. Luxury spas around the world share their top tips for creating a feeling of zen in your home wellness routines. 

 

THE WEST HOLLYWOOD EDITION | Carrie Sotebeer, Director of Spa

 

Carrie Sotebeer, Director of Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION, understands her “responsibility to share knowledge and educate the public” on mindful practices, “even more-so now than ever,” she says. 

 

“We live in such chronic chaos… Stress can affect us even when we maintain strength for those around us. We often think we are staying positive, and yet the stresses of life show up in different ways… much like Vince, I have a morning ritual that helps me stay grounded and centered,” says Sotebeer. 

 

She starts every day with a glass of Himalayan sea salt sole, adding a teaspoon of the salt to a full glass of water. She does this to “balance pH levels, intake essential minerals and increase the body’s alkalinity.”

 

Next, she takes at least ten minutes for herself “to sit in quiet meditation, focus on [her] breath, turn inward and start each day in gratitude.” After which, she will typically then practice yoga. Sotebeer has been teaching yoga & meditation for over 11 years

 

Last but not least, “before getting into the shower,” Sotebeer says “I dry brush my body – not only is this exfoliating, but it also increases circulation and stimulates our lymphatic system.” Talk about an at-home spa treatment! 

 

www.editionhotels.com

 

 

DAIOS COVE, CRETE | Eleni Papadoulou, Spa Manager

 

Eleni’s top tip for keeping a clear mind while in lockdown is to write down your thoughts at the end of each day in a diary, as writing out your feelings is such a positive and healthy form of expressing emotion. Eleni also recommends practicing gratefulness every day as it helps her focus on the positive things in life, especially at a time like this.

 

In terms of what Eleni puts into her body while at home, she drinks a cup of warm water infused with raw ginger, fresh lemon and Cretan honey every morning- “it is a great tonic that boosts the immune system by detoxifying liver and kidneys”, she explains. Eleni also recommends drinking freshly made smoothies to fuel up on vitamins; her favourite recipes are from certified chef and holistic nutrition specialist Sarah Safarian.

 

Eleni also makes it a priority to practice yoga and meditation daily as this can become a time for you to look forward to and add some structure and routine to your day.

 

www.daioscovecrete.com

 

 

 

DESA POTATO HEAD, BALI | Nikki Heyder, Head of Spa

 

Having a set morning routine helps Nikki Heyder, Head of Spa at Desa Potato Head set the ‘tone’ of her day. When she wakes up, she moves to her yoga mat and takes 5 slow deep breaths in and out, followed by a 10 minutes of breath-focused meditation – envisaging positive energy inflow and outflow form from her body. “If you struggle with meditating on your own, try downloading the ‘Calm‘ or ‘Headspace‘ apps – both are fantastic for guided meditations.”, Heyder recommends.

 

Next, she sets a goal for the day and says 5 things she’s grateful for in her life. “Practicing gratitude has been proven to release Dopamine,” says Heyder.

 

potatohead.co/seminyak

 

 

 

THE MIAMI BEACH EDITION | Vince Smit, Spa Director

 

At EDITION Hotel’s sunny Miami Beach location, The Spa offers a range of unique detox and pampering treatments. Below, The Spa’s Director Vince Smit, an expert in all things self-care, shares his easy, at-home morning ritual – which he does each day to stay healthy and strengthen his immune system: 

 

Step 1, Oil Pulling: Though it may be a technique that gained popularity a few years back, oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. Smit suggests starting each day by taking 1 tbsp of coconut oil and swooshing it around for at least five minutes — he says he can do it for 20! “I carry on with my morning shower and prepare for the day as I’m swooshing.”

 

What’s the benefit? “The bacteria that accumulates in the mouth overnight are attracted to the fatty oils, and they leave the system when you spit it out. This also helps to clear mucus and congestion in the chest,” Smit says.  He started this practice 8 years ago and has been doing it ever since. 

 

Step 2, Lemon Water: “Once finished oil pulling, I drink one large glass of fresh pressed lemon water. This makes the body alkaline for the day and gets the metabolism going, while building immunity with the vitamin C. I don’t ingest anything for 10 minutes after, to allow the lemon water to take its course through the body.” 

 

www.editionhotels.com/miami-beach

 

 

 

THE WEST HOLLYWOOD EDITION | Carrie Sotebeer, Director of Spa

 

Carrie Sotebeer, Director of Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION, understands her “responsibility to share knowledge and educate the public” on mindful practices, “even more-so now than ever,” she says. 

 

“We live in such chronic chaos… Stress can affect us even when we maintain strength for those around us. We often think we are staying positive, and yet the stresses of life show up in different ways… much like Vince, I have a morning ritual that helps me stay grounded and centered,” says Sotebeer. 

 

She starts every day with a glass of Himalayan sea salt sole, adding a teaspoon of the salt to a full glass of water. She does this to “balance pH levels, intake essential minerals and increase the body’s alkalinity.”

 

Next, she takes at least ten minutes for herself “to sit in quiet meditation, focus on [her] breath, turn inward and start each day in gratitude.” After which, she will typically then practice yoga. Sotebeer has been teaching yoga & meditation for over 11 years

 

Last but not least, “before getting into the shower,” Sotebeer says “I dry brush my body – not only is this exfoliating, but it also increases circulation and stimulates our lymphatic system.” Talk about an at-home spa treatment! 

 

www.editionhotels.com

 

  

THE BODRUM EDITION | Zorka Jovovic, partner Spa Manager

 

 

Zorka Jovovic, the partnering Spa Manager at The Bodrum EDITION, is one of those people who thrives at home. When she isn’t keeping busy at the hotel brand’s Turkish Riviera property, which overlooks the Aegean Sea, the self-proclaimed homebody “gets a great deal of joy from performing a few morning rituals.”

 

Like our other EDITION spa directors, Jovovic starts each day with a glass of water with squeezed lemon, she also takes a homemade Ginger Root-Zest Shot, for a quick immunity boost.  She continues to stay hydrated throughout the day with her own “cucumber, lemon, rosemary & kumquat-infused water,” which is essential after she finishes her morning yoga. Jovovic recently joined a local online yoga class and feels especially “energized by the community bond.” 

 

“Keeping social distance and being at home most of our days tends to make the skin a bit drier than usual,” Jovovic recommends the Aromatherapy Associates’ Hydrating Rose Face Mask to rescue your skin: “without fail, the damask rose water infused gel masks returns vital hydration to my skin, flooding it with moisture and creating a dewy, fresh look.”

 

www.editionhotels.com/bodrum