Take a Wellness Break in Jamaica

By Janice Tober

To state the obvious, these are stressful times. Besides dealing with life’s everyday pressures, you’re also worrying about how best to work from home and when we will be able to go back to our regular activities.

While some people are looking for new ways to travel, others are aching to simply get back to the familiar. Whichever way you sway, in the age of COVID, we could all use a little bit of self care, when it comes to wellness, Jamaica’s a natural.

CONNECT WITH NATURE

Jamaica is a natural paradise on earth with stunning beaches, lush mountainscapes and pristine beauty. It’s good for you. Research shows that spending just 15-20 minutes a day al fresco has noteworthy health benefits, from reducing stress to lowering the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, visitors have ample opportunities to embrace the outdoors in the island destination.

BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

For those feeling a bit more energetic, consider asking your resort to pack you a picnic and head to the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. There, you can follow the nine-kilometre Blue Mountain peak trail to the top. This endurance walk generally takes more than four hours to complete at a sprightly gait. If your pace is more leisurely than swift, time your trek to catch the sunrise peeking through the mist over the mountains. Before heading back to civilization, stop at Café Blue for some of Jamaica’s famous coffee.

FIND YOUR INNER PEACE

While you’re getting in touch with nature, it’s also important to get in touch with yourself. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness are all ways to help you, as they used to say in the 60s, “be in the now.”

You’ll find many of Jamaica’s resorts offer yoga, often accompanied by pristine vistas, but the Wise Wellness Yoga Centre, opened this summer in the Treasure Beach area, is one of the best independent venues to check out. Owner and founder, Empress Thandi Wise, has long been at the centre of wellness in Jamaica. Besides offering private Hatha or restorative yoga classes, the centre has a wide range of treatments based on Rastafarian ancestral healing practices. Arrange for a day that includes a foot detox, kidney flush, yoni (vaginal) steam and an energy reading, and you’ll tingle from head to toe.

YOGA BY THE SEA

NOURISHING BODY AND SOUL

Founder of the raw food movement, Dr. Aris LaTham runs SunFired Ra Cuisine. Many of the island’s chefs have been trained in the movement here and you, too, can partake in one of the guru’s retreats. If you’re hungry to learn about macronutrients, micronutrients and all nutrients in between, one of LaTham’s courses is sure to satisfy. The Yoga RA Food Retreat, for instance, will have you juicing, detoxing and finding out about everything from colon care to earth milks. There’s even yoga and massage to round out the experience.

DR. ARIS LATHAM FROM SUNFIRED RA CUISINE

In the hills of Jamaica’s north coast, you’ll find one of the island’s best food experiences at Stush in the Bush. This organic farm and eatery serves a gourmet, seven-course home-grown vegetarian menu to eager guests. Lisa is the chef, who creates culinary magic using produce from the family farm, run by husband Chris. Before your farm-to-table lunch, tour the 6.5-hectare farm and plant a tree. It will be there to greet you on a future return visit. The couple also offers a monthly yoga brunch.

THE SPA VISIT IS STILL A MUST

Some of the best spas in Jamaica are found at the island’s resorts, mostly dotted along the coast.

The newly renovated Miilé Spa at Excellence Oyster Bay in Montego Bay has a luxe hydrotherapy circuit that’s sure to wash your stress away. The hot and cold plunge pools, temperature contrast walk, variety of showers (iceberg mist, Cuban, tropical rain), ice bath, saunas, steam rooms and pool massage beds will equally invigorate and soothe you at this serene spa.

Miilé Spa at Excellence Oyster Bay

In Ocho Rios, the brand-new Oasis Spa Villas at Couples Tower Isle will have spa addicts swooning. The large, posh modern villas feature a comfy king bed, in-room essential oils and incense, a complimentary mini bar stocked with your favourite adult beverages, a private sun terrace with your own plunge pool and unlimited spa services. At the beginning of your trip, you’ll meet with a spa concierge to customize your daily spa journey. There are even exclusive treatments available only to spa villa guests.

Oasis Spa Villas at Couples Tower Isle

Wherever you stay in Jamaica, you’ll be able to soak up the sun— properly protected with sunscreen, of course—listen to the tropical breezes through the palms, and the only reference to Twitter you’ll experience is the amazing sound of twittering birds singing from the treetops.