What Wellness Means to Hummingbird: World Mental Health Day

For World Mental Health Day, we asked the Hummingbird team what wellness means to them.

Wellness can mean something different to everyone. For some, it’s a massage and a few hours in the spa; for others, it’s getting outside, switching off from notifications or simply having nowhere to be.

From the Maldives and Seychelles to the Caribbean and Mexico, our team shares the places and experiences that help them slow down, switch off and feel their best.

 “Turns out my favourite form of self-care comes with palm trees and a poolside drink, taking time to simply exist in a place like this! There’s something about being surrounded by nothing but turquoise water, sunshine and the gentle pace of island life that makes it very easy to switch off. Whether it’s a slow morning by the pool, a swim in the lagoon or simply finding a quiet spot to do absolutely nothing, Hideaway is a pretty good reminder that sometimes the best kind of wellness is just having nowhere else to be.”

“My favourite thing about the Seychelles was the incredible scenery, from dramatic granite boulders to lush, tropical landscapes, and Raffles Seychelles is perfectly placed to take it all in - it's got the best views! I love a spa when I’m away, but I also like to keep active (there’s so much delicious food to enjoy, you need to work up an appetite!). From the resort, you can explore the nature of Praslin with a walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai. I’d highly recommend it for a chance to slow down, get outside and really make the most of the beautiful surroundings.”

“Wellness for me isn’t necessarily about spending the day in a spa. It’s getting outside, being active and completely disconnected from the rest of the world. At Miavana, you can spend the morning trekking through the island, tracking lemurs or exploring somewhere you know very few people have ever been, and then come back to your villa and do absolutely nothing. There’s something incredibly restorative about that combination of adventure, nature and complete privacy. And if you do fancy a massage afterwards, even better, especially when you can hear the rain coming down on the roof of your villa!”

"When I think of wellness I think of lazing at the spa after a relaxing massage - specifically in St. Lucia! The island is full of tranquil resorts with sensational spa offerings, some of my favourites are the rainforest spa in the heart of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, the recently renovated spa up in the hills of Ladera and the outdoor spa where the sounds of the island are your treatment music at East Winds."

“Wellness means to me pure relaxation! A lazy morning where no alarm has been set, a walk along the beach, no notifications on and perhaps a massage in the afternoon! Viceroy Riviera Maya is great for this, you feel completely removed from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, perfect for a digital detox! It’s impossible not to relax in the secluded villas, each with their own pool, hammock and plenty of space to rest and recharge (perhaps with a margarita or two as well…)!”

“Personally, wellness is less about scheduling treatments and more about having everything you need to properly switch off. At Aarah, that means long lunches, an incredible dinner at Ambula, a glass of something from the 70+ premium wines and cocktails included, and the freedom to spend the afternoon in the water. You can even spot turtles 50 metres from the villas. Add in a sunset Dhoni cruise or a relaxing wine tasting and you quickly settle into that lovely island rhythm where there’s nowhere you need to be and plenty of time to simply enjoy it.”