“At the end of the week you will be an entirely different person.” Those are the first words spoken in the official trailer for season three of The White Lotus, where a new band of characters set out for some R&R at a Thailand wellness retreat.
It is a phrase that will make a lot of people roll their eyes and think ‘yeah, right’, but amongst the suspense swirling around the drama’s latest season (episode one is out now), those words hit a chord with me as a wellness director. After all, how often do we find ourselves framing the act of hopping on a plane to a wellness retreat as a ‘cure all’ experience – even if we are only there for a week at most.
Equally, aren’t we all a bit guilty of running ourselves into the ground with work, before attempting to hit ‘reset’ with a holiday, expecting it to ‘transform’ our stress levels and reboot our lives – before probably just returning to do the same thing again in six months, or a year’s time?
So, with its characteristic sharp social scrutiny, does The White Lotus actually have a point about our approach to wellness travel, hidden among the intrigue of a good murder who-dun-it? I certainly think we should take note, so we can actually reap the best benefits of a wellness retreat.
What does White Lotus say about wellness travel?
(Warning: spoilers below).
Season three of The White Lotus wastes no time in immersing us in the world of wellness (and bringing us down to earth with a bump). This time around the show is based at a “world’s best” wellness haven – but there’s a certain irony to the fact the guests don’t quite seem to know what they have signed up for. Or at least, they weren’t expecting that ‘getting well’ was going to require much effort on their part. There’s looks of disgust when a request for the WiFi password is met with ‘digital detox pouches’ for their phones, and some rather high-strung confusion around how hard the tests are going to be for the high-tech personalised wellbeing programmes. They might be paying a lot to stay at the luxury resort, but that doesn’t seem to equate to actual commitment to wellness results.
On the other side of the coin, there’s the potentially misplaced easy breeziness, epitomised by Aimee Lou Wood’s character, Chelsea. Alongside the brilliant exchange where she encourages her much older boyfriend to “get a facial – the woman at the airport thought you were my dad,” she also seems convinced that “always living like this” will fix all their problems. A bit like how everything – from committing to eating more healthily to building in wellness rituals into our day-to-day routines – seems more possible when cocooned at a wellness resort.
It’s fitting then, that the crux of the drama for The White Lotus season three starts at the floating meditation garden – the centre of wellness so to speak. Spa therapist Belinda from series one is back, and this time her son Zion is there too. In fact, the show opens with him sat in a signature crossed-leg pose opposite the meditation practitioner, who is, for good measure it seems, dressed in a white outfit reminiscent of a nurse’s uniform: some serious ‘heal your mind, heal your body’ energy comes to mind. But before long, the calm of the practice is disturbed by – what else for The White Lotus – the sound of gun shots. A timely reminder that we can’t necessarily escape our demons, let alone our day-to-day stresses, by ‘just breathing’ in an (albeit beautiful) floating spa.
It seems likely then that while The White Lotus guests might well feel transformed at the end of their week (and the series), it probably won’t be because they have made the most of the wellness retreat they signed up for…
How to make the most of wellness travel
So, how can you avoid falling into the same wellness travel trap? Here’s our quick and easy guide.
1. Focus on what you want to do… and what you don’t
When stress overwhelms, it can be tempting to click ‘book’ on the first wellness retreat you see, but take a moment to make sure it aligns with what you hope to achieve. Are you looking for relaxation, mindfulness, fitness, or improved nutrition? Nowadays there’s a specific wellness retreat in every corner of the world that can give you just the personalised experience you need. At the same time, recognise what won’t destress you – whether it’s rigid schedules, practices that make your eyes roll, or the idea of being separated from your phone. Ultimately, wellness programmes should be designed to get you the best results, but if you’re going to keep opting out, there’s no harm in just relaxing by a pool or sightseeing instead.
2. Try at least one thing you haven’t done before
That said, a wellness retreat is the perfect place to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Whether it’s meditation, breathwork, sound healing, plant-based eating, or cold plunges, trying something unfamiliar can be as fun as it is rewarding. You may even discover a practice that enhances your wellbeing in unexpected ways (or at least start to understand what you’d never waste your money on back home). If you’re nervous to dip your toe into something new, book a stay with a friend or family member, who can encourage you as much as you encourage them.
3. Don’t go cold turkey
Take it from me (who experienced caffeine-withdrawal headaches after arriving at a detox retreat without easing up on my strong coffee habit), you will want to plan ahead if your chosen retreat encourages lifestyle changes, such as eliminating coffee, sugar, alcohol or technology. Many retreats suggest you start decreasing your dependency on such substances in the week before you go, to avoid feelings of frustration or illness when you arrive – and you’ll feel so much better if you can commit to that. After all, you want it to feel like a holiday and a pleasant experience. Similarly, after the retreat, you want to tread a careful line between avoiding pressuring yourself to maintain drastic changes overnight, and bouncing straight back to old habits. To help you do that…
4. Focus on one takeaway to bring back home
No, we don’t mean that Chinese or Indian you might be craving. Retreats can offer a wealth of insights, but trying to implement everything at once when back home can feel overwhelming. Instead, identify one key lesson or habit that resonated most, and commit to integrating it into your daily routine. Maybe it’s a mindfulness practice, a healthier morning routine, or prioritising selfcare. The staff at your retreat can be on hand to help you with end-of-stay reviews too. By focusing on a single, meaningful takeaway, you can set yourself up for lasting success rather than short-lived enthusiasm, and, once this change becomes natural, you can incorporate other lessons too (or book in for your next wellness retreat to help you take further steps into your wellness journey).
Lead image: Photograph by Fabio Lovino/HBO
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Any Questions or Tips to add?