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Three vacation ideas that will help you recharge your batteries

AFP – Has this year been particularly difficult for you? Do you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and crowded tourist spots?

Discover destinations and activities that enhance the restorative benefits of vacations, supported by scientific research!

Here are three ideas for a rejuvenating vacation that will leave you feeling totally refreshed.

Ditch the sparkling seas for the icy waters

Warm weather often means swimming in the (cold) sea. But while seawater offers many benefits for the skin, ice-cold water has been shown to have a number of benefits for mental health.

It might therefore be interesting to turn to the Nordic countries for a summer getaway, particularly Norway, where ice baths are legion and their benefits are recognized.

Take for example the now famous Wim Hof ​​Method, named after the Dutch “Iceman” who invented it.

This technique promises a state of absolute well-being and fullness. More precisely, it combines breathing and meditation exercises with ice baths to amplify the benefits.

Many scientific studies have attributed many virtues to cold water, or more broadly to cold, particularly for the immune system and sleep. More recently, researchers have suggested that ice baths could also alleviate certain symptoms of menopause.

Interested? Head to Northern Europe, of course.

Try a silent retreat

Not talking and focusing on yourself, for a few days to a week, is the goal of the silent retreats that have been all the rage on social networks in 2023.

They can be a great way to completely disconnect and forget about your hectic daily life the rest of the year.

Inspired by the ancient meditation technique Vipassana, synonymous with introspection, silent retreats are becoming increasingly common and are offered at prices similar to traditional holidays.

These retreats often involve staying in quiet, even isolated places, where silence is golden and phones and computers are prohibited.

The goal is to refocus on yourself and give new meaning to your life.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that you’ll be giving up all activity, as silent retreats often offer recreational activities related to meditation. It all depends on which one you choose.

Book a Sleep-Focused Getaway

There are now many vacation packages dedicated entirely to sleep.

The idea may seem strange, but this type of stay is becoming increasingly popular. The hashtag #sleeptourism, which already has more than 50 million posts on TikTok, is proof of this, as is the growing offer of sleep-related stays offered by many hotels.

The main activity remains of course rest – and in ultra-high-tech luxury beds, if you please – but it is also about letting yourself be tempted by activities designed to refocus on yourself, such as meditation, yoga or massage.

However, unlike previous experiences, these holidays – at the seaside or in big cities – are generally reserved for a wealthy clientele.