Despite being the Senior Health Editor here at , I have a confession for you. Before last month, I'd never been on a wellness retreat. If you'd asked me why, I'd have shrugged it off and claimed to be too busy.
But truth be told, despite my many years in the fitness industry, I found the idea of them a little intimidating. Three to five entire days of breathwork, hardcore workouts, self-reflection and ice baths might sound like heaven to some, but for me, always came across more like enforced fun. That said, I shouldn't have been so narrow-minded - as the five health tips I learnt from a nutritionist while attending my first one last month have been in a word, game-changing.
Heading to the Pyrenees in Spain with supplement brand , I gave in to three days of mountain hiking, , journaling, breathwork and more and, ever the cliche, learnt a lot about myself in the process. But the biggest learnings came from my one-to-one consultation with nutritionist, naturopath and founder of ARTAH , a well-respected industry pro and expert in her own right. During our consultation, we covered everything - from how much I exercise, to what I eat day to day, to how often I drink alcohol and caffeine.
Not as scary as it sounds, I promise, but rather a refreshing way to discuss my dietary and lifestyle choices with someone in the know. The five major learnings from our one-to-one are below. And I can attest - these tips have been useful back in the real world, confirming them as lifestyle tweaks.
