Ways to boost your health and joy
Since the dawn of time, finding true happiness has been life’s holy grail. To help people along that all-important journey, practices have developed over thousands of years, using every conceivable technique and coming from every corner of the world. Here are some of our favorites to discover...
ICELAND
Given Iceland’s famously frigid climate and long hours of darkness, it's surprising that the nation’s people rank as some of the happiest on the planet. A major reason is the tradition of hot spring bathing in geothermal pools. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s largest, a steamy selection of saunas and pools filled with healing minerals where locals head almost daily. They take time to relax, meet friends, and unwind, the perfect example of being at one with nature and all its mystical power.
BALI
Few destinations are as synonymous with wellness as the magical Indonesian island of Bali. That’s thanks to ancient healing traditions that have made it a draw for those seeking inner peace and a touch of Eat, Pray, Love. A Balinese massage is a holistic treatment, a full-body deep-tissue combination of stretching and acupressure to stimulate the flow of oxygen, blood, and qi. This circulation boost brings a sense of calm but also endorphins, to raise the spirits and help put a smile on your face. Shambhala Retreat at COMO Uma Canggu lets you enjoy one to the sound of ocean waves.
ITALY
The rolling hills of Tuscany in Italy are home to a tenth-century estate, Belmond Castello di Casole, a magical retreat where time seems to stand still. Happiness will doubtless come from eating their black truffles, but their Essere Spa also celebrates local produce in its treatments. Rosemary, grapes, royal jelly, and olive oil are just some of the bounty used in massages to evoke a sense of place and space as you give in to ultimate relaxation, on the road to bliss.
JAPAN
Paths to happiness and well-being take many forms, and while Japan boasts its share of spectacular hot springs like Iceland, there are few practices as charming as the local tradition of inemuri, or power napping. That’s right, the chance for very busy people to have a quick snooze has been proven to have restorative effects whether on the subway, at school, or even in the office. Some call it “sleeping while present”, meaning that you’re proudly hard-working, so a little downtime is understandable to let you get back to top form. Catch it in action on most evening trains.
INDIA
By far the loudest and most endorphin-releasing approach to happiness and well-being comes in the form of laughter yoga, known as Hasyayoga. Popular throughout India — but increasingly around the world, with 200 laughter yoga clubs in the US — it’s based on harnessing the physiological and psychological benefits of laughing in groups. Participants start by stretching, clapping, and chanting to warm up and help break down any inhibitions. Then breathing exercises combine with laughter exercises to ensure smiles all round. They even run Zoom classes in case you can’t make it to a session in person, but the country is well worth a visit for many reasons.
SWEDEN
Swedes are the world’s third-largest consumer of coffee per head, something which explains the national obsession with the coffee break, or “fika”. This social ritual has become so ingrained in society that some say it’s a state of mind. Essentially a break to enjoy a cup of coffee and a choice of pastries called fikabröd, it’s also a chance to chat, socialize, and slow down, letting you appreciate what you have in front of you and be thankful. Whether at work, home, or out and about, this daily tradition has to be one of the tastiest ways going to bring happiness and wellness. Here are some of Stockholm’s finest spots to join in the fun.
