IMAGES: GETTY; MIRAVAL ARIZONA RESORT & SPA
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f the key to health and wellbeing lies in focusing on the fundamentals, why has it taken us so long to openly talk about sex? We’ve been happy
to discuss improved diets, sleep and exercise — yet conversations about our sexuality have often been hushed or kept strictly medical. In the last few years, things
have finally started to change. The wellness world has reframed it as ‘sexual wellness’: a more holistic way of thinking about how we relate to our bodies and desires. “For a long time, sexual health was reduced to things like contraception, but sexual wellness is far broader,” says Samantha Marshall, head of brand at Smile Makers Collection. “It includes satisfaction, consent, communication, self-knowledge and feeling safe and at ease in your body. It’s physical, emotional and mental, and all those layers affect each other.” The benefits of sex are well
documented: better sleep, reduced stress, improved immunity and even natural pain relief. Yet, even as sex is increasingly recognised as a key pillar of wellbeing, it can still fall by the wayside. In our busy, digitally-driven lives, sex often becomes just another item on the to-do list, meaning true intimacy is overlooked. Sometimes, breaking free from our usual routines is exactly what we need to reset, and travel offers the perfect opportunity to rediscover that connection. A new type of trip is emerging,
offering guests the chance to get away while focusing on sensuality. Some are women-only, some are for couples, others are more self-guided — but all create a safe space to explore and connect. “Sexual wellness can mean learning about your body on a retreat, advocating for your own pleasure in partnered situations on a romantic getaway or stepping away from the daily grind to reconnect with yourself,” says Samantha. “We suddenly have more time to tune in, to notice what de-stresses us, what feels good and what we’re curious to explore.” Intrigued? Read on for six retreats
to consider.
At Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, women learn how hormones, libido and changes to the body can impact sex during menopause
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa BEST FOR: Mid-life changes WHY GO? Menopause can be a challenging life stage, with shifting hormones affecting how women experience sex. At Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, women are encouraged to explore these changes rather than cope in silence. Female guests can join the resort’s ‘Menopause and Midlife’ programme led by integrative wellness specialist and sexuality educator Lyndi Rivers, who provides education on how hormones, libido and body changes impact sexual wellness during this period of transition. Outside of the programme, guests can indulge in spa treatments, pick from a daily selection of movement classes — from chakra yoga to cardio drumming — or hit the tennis and pickleball courts. HOW TO DO IT: Prices start from $1,098 (£824) per night, including access to the ‘Menopause and Midlife’ programme, daily movement classes and resort amenities.
miravalresorts.com/arizona
Mama Shelter BEST FOR: A self-guided approach
WHY GO? You don’t necessarily have to commit to a structured retreat to rekindle intimacy with a partner — a weekend away can provide the valuable time you need together. Mama Shelter’s relaxed, design-forward hotels provide the chance to step away from the daily grind and focus on connection. On-site spas offer couples massages, while cosy restaurants allow for slow dinners with no distractions. Guests can also choose to add a ‘Sexy Mama Box’ to their stay, which includes accoutrements (massage oil, toys, lubricants) to encourage exploration. With locations in some of the world’s most romantic cities including Paris and Rome, Mama Shelter is a good choice for couples looking to fold sexual wellness into a short city break. HOW TO DO IT: The Sexy Mama offer is available in all locations except Nice and Dubai. It includes an overnight stay for two people, two ‘love cocktails’, breakfast, a Sexy Mama Box and a 2pm checkout time. From €99 (£86).
mamashelter.com
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – SPA & WELLNESS COLLECTION 35
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