Feeling Good

You’re elated – you’re getting married to the love of your life. But amidst the joy of impending matrimony, it’s normal to feel a little exhausted, perhaps even anxious or stressed. So, be honest with yourself: how well do you feel? If the pressure of wedding planning is taking a toll, it’s time to prioritise self-care.

 

To fully enjoy this chapter and approach your wedding day – and married life – feeling present and prepared, investing in your wellbeing is essential. Consider your lifestyle and how your sleeping, eating, drinking and exercise habits influence your mood, appearance and notion of self. By focusing on habits that support your physical and mental health – from mindful eating and quality sleep to moments of creative or physical release – you’ll build resilience and coping strategies, emerging as the happiest and healthiest version of you for your wedding day and married life beyond. 

 

From regular spa days and creative outlets to couple’s retreats and tailored diet and exercise programmes, take the time to explore not just what makes you tick – but thrive. To help you get started, we’ve delved into four trending wellness practices – and how to achieve them here in the South-west

 

Multiple studies show that good sleep is imperative to wellness. It sharpens your mind, helps you to maintain a healthy weight, lowers your risk of heart disease and diabetes, boosts your immune system and reduces stress. If sleepless nights are a struggle, the emerging trend of sleep tourism helps you to break the cycle of poor sleep and find unplugged peace amidst the frantic pace of the modern digital world. 

Cornwall’s tranquil natural spaces provide the perfect backdrop for a ‘sleep break’. 

Exuding a sense of calm with its dreamy clifftop setting, inviting interiors and luxury spa and therapy menu, The Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth offers a Restorative Sleep Break designed to help you drift into the deepest slumber. 

 

Indulge in a two-night stay in a sea-view room and experience a carefully curated package to help you rebalance and reset by drawing upon ancient Ayurvedic principles and the healing power of nature. From guided cold-water immersion and mindfulness practices to a soothing Sarvanga treatment, bedtime breathing rituals and sleep-inducing amenities by Neom, Namaste UK and Atlantic Blankets, every detail is crafted to promote deep relaxation and restorative reset. A soak in the candlelit copper bath or hot tub overlooking the sea as well as spa sessions and The Scarlet’s complimentary programme of daily yoga and wellbeing classes will leave you feeling rested and reborn.

 

 

Good nutrition is key to long-term wellbeing, and the latest trends focus on gut health and Blue Zone diets. “Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of overall health, providing the essential nutrients our bodies need to function optimally, prevent disease, and maintain energy,” explains clinical nutritional therapist Ruby Lynch from Rooted Nutrition. “Gut health plays a critical role in overall wellbeing, as the gut is home to trillions of microbes that influence digestion, immunity, mental health, and even chronic disease risk. A balanced diet rich in fibre, healthy fats, and quality protein supports a thriving gut microbiome, creating a strong foundation for vitality and resilience.” 

 

Along with functional herbs and superfoods, a diet rich in raw, wholegrain and non-processed foods forms a basic approach to a good diet. Meanwhile, Blue Zone diets – from regions where people live longer and healthier lives – predominantly consist of nutrient-dense plant-based food (especially seasonal garden vegetables), beans and pulses, whole foods, nuts, fermented foods, and drinking mostly water whilst minimising or eliminating sugar intake, and reducing dairy. 

 

 

Ruby offers personalised consultations that consider physical, mental and environmental impacts on health. Using advanced functional testing to create tailored nutrition and lifestyle interventions, her goal is to provide clients with the knowledge and tools to improve their wellbeing and quality of life. Ruby provides guidance on a wide range of issues, including gastrointestinal conditions, hormonal health, autoimmunity, energy levels, stress management and skin conditions.

She is also a certified phlebotomist, providing both in-clinic and mobile blood draw services for private testing. Clients can access these services through tests arranged by Ruby or those ordered from other testing providers. Pick from a six-week to six-month consultation package, while her series of workshops include Introduction to Gut Health to kick-start your eating-well journey.

 

Although it’s no surprise to those of us living on the coast that water has a unique draw, today’s surge in interest and research has revealed the extent to which it can boost our wellbeing. From the calming effect of a meditative blue mind (relaxing by the water) to the strengthening, resilience training and conditioning gained through activities like outdoor swimming, water wellness – or ‘blue health’ – is gaining momentum. Today’s top trends testify to this, with cold-water immersion, salt baths, outdoor swimming, wild spas and wellness centres, contrast bathing (hot and cold) and sauna culture – especially ‘social bathhouses’ and community saunas – all continuing to inspire popular imagination and daily acts of wellbeing. 

 

 

Boasting a breathtaking waterside location, St Michaels Resort has redesigned its spa and fitness programmes to extol the healing and health properties of water. Home to the largest hydrothermal pool in the South-west, a spa experience treats the senses to an array of both ‘fire and ice’ and water-based therapies including a herbal Finnish and outdoor barrel sauna, a rainforest steam room, ice bucket shower, outdoor hot tub, ice plunge pool and the world’s only Cornish sea salt steam room. Their Wim Hof Break is ideal for those wanting to discover more about the pioneering method while enjoying the resort’s facilities, combining cold-water endurance, breathwork, mindfulness and yoga to help reset your body and mind.

 

 

 

 

Devon-based healer, massage therapist and creative Charlotte Parker has launched Your Holistic Wedding Journey – a soulful, supportive experience designed to guide couples through the wedding planning process with clarity, confidence and connection. Rooted in the belief that planning a wedding can be an uplifting and empowering path, Charlotte weaves together her unique blend of energy work, massage sessions and creative coaching to offer couples a space to pause, reflect and realign.

 

“When you take the time to really connect into who you are as a couple – and as individuals – you can feel the love that surrounds you and deepen the love within,” says Charlotte. “This means you are in a much better place to make decisions, create and delegate confidently.”

 

Wedding planning can quickly become overwhelming, Charlotte’s holistic approach is a gentle reminder that your wedding is an opportunity to feel good in yourself and create something deeply meaningful together.

charlotteparkerhealer.com 

 

For couples seeking a wedding that's both historic and holistic, Polhawn Fort is a one-of-a-kind escape. Perched on the Rame Peninsula in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this secluded Napoleonic fort offers private beach access, dreamy gardens and luxury accommodation - now with tailored Wellness Weddings designed to nuture, connect and restore.

 

 

Stay for a weekend or a full week and curate your own bespoke itinerary, choosing from wild swimming and yoga to sound baths, breathwork sessions, wilderness walks, foraging, saunas, tea ceremonies, shamanic drumming and more. Whether you fill your days with activity or savour mindful moments in nature, Polhawn Fort offers a truly restorative way to say "I do."