As we excitedly step into spring, why not try one of these eight Sussex wellness experiences? Safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to go big or go far to feel good!
Sound bathing
Sound bathing is a type of meditative and relaxation practice that involves lying down in a comfortable and relaxing space and listening to a mix of gongs, singing bowls and gentle percussion. It is a therapeutic sonic experience and the benefits include improved immune system health, reduced stress and lower blood pressure, improved mood and a sense of spiritual wellbeing.
The instruments produce extraordinary frequencies that resonate throughout the body. There are an increasing number of places you can experience sound bathing in Sussex, including with Jez Smith of: Ancient Sacred Sounds.
Open water swimming
Open water swimming can take many forms. It might be swimming in a lake, a river or the sea. You may just want to swim during the summer months or for some, you may also want to swim in the winter. If you have never open swum before, it is really important to do so in a properly organised environment rather than just jump in your local lake. You’ll find organised swims at Tilgate Park, Divers Cove (Surrey) or Bewl Water as part of a swimming club.
If you are wondering why you might want to take to our local waters, well, it’s because the health benefits can include improved mood, better sleep, a boosted immune system, improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, weight loss and improved skin health.
Time at the spa
Let’s not underestimate time spent at a Sussex spa. They will generally offer a range of different treatments and experiences, all designed to improve both mental and physical health. You might try yoga, massage and hydrotherapy, facials, steam rooms and saunas, outdoor pools or mud treatments. Alternatively, you might just spend a lovely long day, lying by the pool with an orange juice in hand.
The benefits of a spa day are many and include detoxification, improved skin, improved mood and relaxation, better sleep and enhanced wellbeing. We have a number of top-notch spas in the Sussex including at Ashdown Park, South Lodge, Ockenden Manor and Alexander House.
Moon bathing
Moon bathing does as the name suggests and is the practice of spending time in the moon light during specific lunar phases. You can do it as part of a guided practice or on your own, and the benefits are said to include reduced stress and improved relaxation, reconnection with nature, better self-awareness and an improved sense of wellbeing. There are a number of moon bathing events that take place in Sussex including the Ruby Moon events in Brighton.
Sussex retreats and meditation
A retreat is a lovely way to step back from the craziness of life and do a deep dive into something you enjoy. Across Sussex, there are a host of different retreats offering a variety of experiences. You might want to head off for a writing retreat, a yoga retreat or a cooking retreat. Sussex even has a public speaking retreat! By stepping away from life for anything from a few hours to a few days, you gain an opportunity to relax and unwind, refocus and contemplate and maybe even learn a new skill.
If you can’t afford time off to attend a retreat, well then meditation may be the answer. Meditation is said to have dozens of benefits including reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep, memory and ability to focus, lowered blood pressure and improved heart rate, increased creativity and patience and improved immune system. With hundreds of places offering meditation, you might want to try a Buddhist monastery.
Outdoor sauna
Sauna is now being mooted as the lifestyle medicine which offere a number of proven health benefits as well as a fantasticly relaxing experience. From helping with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, dementia and certain respiratory illnesses to stress and overwhelm, a little time in the sauna can quite literally do you the world of good.
As a result, there are now a number of outdoor sauna facilities springing up along the Sussex coast and better still, if you love the experiences, you can even buy your own:
(In partnership with Sussex Exclusive — Wildhut is one of our valued advertising partners).
Forest bathing
Forest bathing is the Japanese practice of spending time in a forest to relax and connect with nature. Once again, you can practice on your own or as part of a group and you forest bathe by lying, sitting or standing in amongst trees in quiet reflection. The benefits include improved mood, reduced stress, better sleep, increased ability to focus and improved physical and mental health. Sussex Forest Bathing guide, Helena Skoog, offers a variety of different forest bathing experiences.
Walking
Let us not forget one of the best experiences for improved health and wellbeing, that of walking. The benefits are many from improved physical health and weight loss, to better sleep, improved mental health and cognitive functioning, improved circulation, less stress and improved creativity.
There are dozens of organised walking groups across Sussex, from guided country walks and Nordic walking to urban walks and trails. Of course, you don’t have to be part of a group and can take yourself off at any time for an amble, as part of a long or short Sussex walk.
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