The art of Zen on holiday

It is easy to fall into the habit of checklist travel and pack your holiday itinerary with must-see attractions. But sometimes you just need to slow down and take a big deep breath. There is the flop and drop approach where you do nothing but lounge around on your wellearned break.

Or you could take the opportunity to recharge and reset by actively seeking health-led itineraries and serene destinations. I have found that participating in wellness trends can make the journey more invigorating.

Initially dubious about the idea of forest bathing, an immersion therapy that involves ‘‘being’’ with the trees, I found the experience to be an easy and calming way to connect with nature.

You don’t need to introduce yourself to an American sweetgum or have woodwind accompaniment like I did – simply plan a walking adventure under the forest canopy.

The novelty of beer yoga was more hilarious than Zen. Performing a downward dog while downing a cold one resulted in a dramatic explosion of froth on a fellow class member’s yoga mat. It is said that belly laughter has a range of benefits on your mental and physical health.

One of my favourite, and less faddish, wellness experiences took place on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship as we bobbed across the Tasman.

The swaying motion of the ship added to the relaxing massage treatment, slowly rocking back and forth and being covered in scented oil from head to toe made me feel like a baby.

Across this week’s pages you’ll find reinvigorating experiences for everyone.

On page 15, Siobhan Downes details three calming products that can be used to soothe nerves in the air, and on page 9, she finds a resort in Bali where rooms come with their own cocktail-making station. On page 6, Justin Meneguzzi discovers a Japanese pastime that can be just as rewarding as expensive wellness programmes, and on page 4, Brett Atkinson encounters the bizarre Czech Republic tradition of the beer spa – a hoppy version of a bath that claims to be good for you.