Family wellness. From broken to healed in one location.

Have you noticed a lot of new words being created in recent years? I have another new word for you. It is one you will like the sound of. Ready? The word is welleisure. Clearly, wellness and leisure combined, but how can we define it? Where do we experience it?

Many of our current non-work activities to remain healthy or relaxed are not focused on enjoyment but on compensating for the stresses of life in yet another stress-filled manner. When we work demanding jobs, we can intensely exercise on a compressed schedule just to check the box of working out. Likewise, to show we relax, we tally all the time spent disconnected or removed entirely from contact with others.

There is another way, but it will involve unlearning a few practices we believe in. I first discovered the activities and practices I will tell you about at a family wellness spa resort. Like many, our family needed a break from the cycle of intense work, study, sport, and division in this world. We went out of our comfort zone and booked an inclusive package to take the steering wheel out of our hands and entrust it to people who wanted to show us a different way of life, something much simpler.

It was not easy. At times, it felt very odd. When looking for change, I guess we should have expected to find it. Welleisure has to be enjoyable if you are going to continue to use it. Many people try a diet fad or new exercise routine, only to put it down due to ineffectiveness or drastic change and discomfort. 

I only have enough time to give you a general idea. I cannot give you the personalized instruction you need. I am no professional, just a changed man, husband, and father. Are you open to change? Some of this will sound like some real tree-hugging hippie stuff but I urge you to go slow and wait for the changes to happen.

A welleisure exercise would consist of physiotherapy sessions to correct your body's posture and movements, reducing stress internally. You will be coached to a balanced pose with specific movements to strengthen where you are weak.

A welleisure practice would be various types of meditation or mind-guidance techniques that give initial moments of calm. After the new habit is adopted, you will recognize a more tranquil nature developed from within. Outside influences will have little to no effect on your peace.

A welleisure activity would be on the line of making or growing something you use daily to appreciate your creative skill and enjoy the calming practice in the creation. I understand the benefits of gardening. Making my own soaps or candles was never in my plan. However, with an open mind and really wanting change for my family and myself, we are all benefitting from the pleasure of creating these simple things. 

Traditional Western remedies do not work. Can you agree? Traditional Thai medicine hits on some of the points covered in this retreat. The total package of well-being, personalized programs, and taking small steps to an enjoyable life can be found if you earnestly look.