If there is one thing that the global Covid-19 crisis has taught us, it’s the importance of prioritising self care and wellness. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen a huge shift in the way we work and socialise with our day-to-day lives moving online for months at a time. And while the digital lifestyle definitely has its advantages, as the world starts to return to normal, there has never been a better time to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.
During lockdown, online workouts and digital fitness became hugely popular with an increase of over 40% in Youtube searches for workout videos since March 2020. A fantastic way to reduce stress and anxiety, thousands of people turned to online fitness to disconnect from their new remote work routine while stuck at home. But with the end of the pandemic hopefully just around the corner, it’s time to take those classes offline and get back outside to enjoy a fully immersive wellness experience.
To find out more about the importance of self care, we caught up with Delphine, an aerial yoga/aerial silks teacher and Yuko, a yoga teacher and wellness practitioner, both based in Nice. Read on to discover their top 5 tips for easy self care and how best to cultivate mindfulness in the post-Covid world:
Reconnect : Since the beginning of the pandemic, it seems that the one thing we’ve all been craving more than anything else is human contact. While working from home may have been a relatively easy transition for many of us, the sudden lack of affection in our day-to-day lives definitely wasn’t. As restrictions on meeting up with friends and family are lifted around the globe, Yuko suggests using this time to boost your mood by reconnecting with your loved ones. Spending time with friends is a fantastic way to increase happiness and decrease stress so reach out and plan a catch-up today.
Go offline: During lockdown, our lives revolved around the internet like never before. From remote working to homeschooling and virtual socialising, we’ve never spent so much time online but it’s vital to know when to switch off. Delphine explains: “Yoga is a great way to unwind and disconnect. Practicing a yoga routine at the end of the day can help with the aches and pains which come from sitting at your desk all day or with the mental load which comes with working from home. To create a true work/life balance, turn off the computer, put your phone on mute and take time to recharge your batteries everyday.”
Get outside:
For many of us, lockdown meant we were confined to our homes with limited access to fresh air and sunshine, especially during the long winter months. Now summer has arrived and lockdown has ended, Yuko explains: “This is the ideal time to get outside, feel the sunshine on your skin and explore the beautiful countryside of the French Riviera.” The perfect playground for those looking to reconnect with nature, give your mental health a jump start this summer by heading up into the mountains on a camping trip, mountain biking along the coast or jumping into the azure waters of the Mediterranean. As Yuko says: “Life is short so why not choose to live everyday.”
Keep to a routine: Whether you’re still working from home or gently easing yourself back into office life, establishing a self-care routine is a great way to handle day-to-day stress and anxiety. Delphine suggests setting aside a solid 15-30 minutes for yourself every day to shut out the rest of the world while you focus on your physical and mental health. Whether you decide to practice a morning yoga routine, take a daily lunchtime walk or enjoy a meditation session before bed, Delphine is clear, the most important thing is finding a way to keep yourself grounded on a regular basis.
(Re)Treat yourself: Planning a trip has long been proven to boost both your mood and your mental health, so why not give yourself something to look forward to post-Covid by booking a wellness escape in the South of France. Set between the mountains and the Mediterranean and blessed with endless golden sunshine, the French Riviera is the ideal setting for everything from an adrenaline-soaked escapade to a relaxing yoga retreat. Whether you’re looking for a solo getaway to meet other like-minded people or planning a group retreat with friends/colleagues, we’ll be delighted to help you find a truly unique venue for your stay. Simply check out our selection of hand-picked spaces across the South of France below and then click through to check pricing and availability before confirming your reservation in 3 easy steps:
.jpg "Mas Cévenole avec Piscine - Tennis")
Set in a private wooded park in the heart of Provence, this beautiful stone Mas is the ideal choice for your wellbeing retreat. With 6 bedrooms including a dormitory equipped with 5 single beds, the house can sleep up to 15 guests while a luxurious tent in the garden allows you to get closer to nature during your stay. Offering an impressive range of amenities, the Mas’ stand out features include a vast 10m outdoor swimming pool and a private tennis court.
.jpg "Revitalising Sustainable Wellness Farm Lost in Nature")
Described by the host as a paradise on earth, The Wellness Farm is a magical space located just outside of Nice in the hills of Saint-Jeannet. Designed as the ultimate wellness destination for a group retreat or team offsite, the Farm’s eco lodges are nestled between oak and olive trees in perfect harmony with the Riviera countryside. Set on over a hectare of land, the Wellness Farm offers guests an outdoor living room & kitchen overlooking a natural outdoor pool & sauna, a Shala terrace for yoga classes, massage cabins and a full organic garden.
.jpg "Beautiful guest house with chef in total privacy in the countryside")
Set in the rolling green hills of Bargemon, this stunning property is made up of 2 stone guest houses surrounded by over 3 hectares of private land. With 6 ensuite bedrooms, the guesthouses can accommodate up to 16 people overnight for your wellbeing escape. Featuring sweeping lawns leading down to a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, the property also offers the services of a private chef to ensure you and your guests enjoy delicious organic meals during your retreat.
.jpg "L'Aumônerie - Luxe Authentique")
A truly exceptional venue with a long and colourful history, the Chaplaincy will be a haven of peace and tranquility during your next group retreat or team building event. Set in spectacular grounds overlooking Monte Carlo, the house features a spacious living area and can accommodate up to 14 guests overnight. With multiple terraces for outdoor living plus a heated swimming pool, this magical space promises to be the perfect setting for your wellness escape.
Breathtaking Contemporary Villa
.jpg "Endless Blue")
Set in a private domain high in the hills above Eze Village, this breathtaking villa is the ideal location for an unforgettable group retreat. With 8 bedrooms, the villa can accommodate up to 16 guests overnight and offers a wealth of leisure and entertainment facilities including a Jacuzzi, Home Cinema and gym plus a 24m infinity pool suspended above sea level. Offering panoramic views of the coastline and the Mediterranean beyond, the villa also comes with a sleek sports boat to get you out onto the water during your stay.
.jpg "Splendid Manor House")
Located in the beautiful Provençal countryside, a long alley of plane trees leads you to this splendid manor house which dates back to the 1800s. Offering guests the quintessential Provençal experience, the house is surrounded by forests and vineyards and is located just 30 minutes away from the beach resorts of Cannes and Saint Tropez. Ideally set up for hosting a group retreat or team building experience, guests can enjoy hiking or mountain biking through forest trails, quad bike rides around the property, wine tasting in the private cellar plus unlimited use of the fabulous outdoor pool.
.jpg "Charming Hamlet in the heart of the Luberon")
Hidden in the heart of the Luberon Natural Park, this charming stone hamlet is a magical setting for a wellbeing escape to Provence. Made up of a series of gîtes, the property can welcome up to 37 people overnight and offers guests full use of the landscaped grounds which include lavender fields, a petanque court, a huge outdoor swimming pool plus a central courtyard for evening events. Surrounded by peaceful countryside and featuring 360° panoramic views of the Luberon Natural Park, leave the world behind as you spend a few days relaxing in this haven of calm in Reillanne.