Sometimes our wellness needs a jumpstart—a jolt that makes an idea click or a routine stick. One of the most effective ways to create that shift is to change your environment; go somewhere that wakes and excites you in ways your normal routine can’t. Your senses engage, your mindset shifts, and the experience sticks. Let’s explore a few ways to do just that.
Start close to home. Choose new environments where you can easily learn what feels like a fit. Cincinnati offers an abundance of parks to explore how well nature speaks to you. Viewing art has been proven to lower cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate, and you can experience those benefits for free at both the Contemporary Arts Center and Cincinnati Art Museum. A day trip to Lexington can offer both traditional and non-traditional restoration, from a visit to The Kentucky Castle spa to horseback riding at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Now, get more intentional. With a better understanding of what restores your balance, weekend trips can take your wellness further. Hocking Hills offers nature therapy, yoga and relaxation experiences, while Kuusi Nordic Spa at Sugar Creek Retreat in Indiana combines sauna, cold plunges and nature immersion with two large parks a walk away. Chicago offers multiple bathhouse options, and if spa-focused wellness is your preference, Kohler Waters Spa in Wisconsin offers a legitimate world-class experience.
Reach for the ultimate reset experience. Multi-day wellness retreats are fully immersive. Canyon Ranch and Miraval offer structured programs in wellness-focused locations like Arizona and Texas, while destinations like The Ranch in Malibu or New York create personalized experiences designed to restore balance before you even arrive.
Each environment offers something different: the activity, the setting, the timing. The real question is: what works best for you? Exploring is the only way to find out.
About the Author
Clay Brizendine, a health and wellness coach and personal trainer, roots his work with individuals and organizations in his "Simplify to Amplify" approach: giving extraordinary time and attention to the few truly important things in your life leads to greater fulfillment. He and his family call Madeira home. ClayBrizendine.com | Instagram @OurTrainingLab