In need of some R&R? Here are six Rs to get you through the winter, from restoring treatments to recovery advice …
1 Restore
Dublin’s most luxurious spa/gym, Eden One in Ballsbridge, offers Ground Wellbeing‘s sustainable, all-natural Irish treatments as part of the illustrious spa offering (alongside Spanish range Natura Bissé). If you’ve ever been you’ll know that as soon as you step into the lift down, it’s as if you’re entering another dimension – and one you never want to leave. Glide down the elegant pool (which has “fire” down the middle of it), slumber in the Thermal Salt room and warm up in the largest sauna we’ve ever sweated in. No wonder Eden One regularly wins luxury spa awards.
A 90-minute Ground treatment is the perfect antidote to cold winter days – try the restorative Cleansing Ritual (from €160, 60 minutes), dedicated to gut health. It’s centred on lymphatic drainage and using Ground’s all-natural Cleanse Abdominal Oil (€38), a blend of detoxifying castor oil plus cardamom, ginger, marjoram and caraway to support gut function. Ground’s Peigin Crowley is passionate about gut health. “Digestion has come front and centre for me,” she says. “I firmly believe that the gut is the centre of everything, a place where people hold anxiety. Castor oil is amazing, when you apply it to the abdomen, liver and kidney areas, you feel lighter, more energised. It is a detox.” This treatment includes a focus on the stomach, an area that’s normally entirely avoided in a massage. “It’s a sensitive area, but such an important one,” says Crowley. I’d recommend Ground treatments for anyone who’s feeling stressed, tired, burnt-out or ragingly menopausal as they are both gentle and comforting.
Be warned, Eden One will undoubtedly spoil you for every other gym for ever more, and not just for the facilities – but also for the atmosphere, customer care (a special mention for spa concierge Kate, who is exceptional) and deluxe fixtures (such as a row of Dyson hairdriers). Few spas have such high standards (or membership fees). There are plenty of day spa options available, from €235 including lunch, and access to spa facilities is included with 90-minute treatments, which start from €195. One lady apparently travels each year from Glasgow with her mother for a special treat. One online review simply states: “I must return to this place again, or I will be unsatisfied with my existence on this planet.” We can see why.
2 Rejuvenate
Kick into those endorphins and book in for a Wim Hof workshop, either for yourself or as a gift, visit their website to see the activities to find workshops and events coming up. We’re sceptical about many things, but many devotees swear by the combination of cold water therapy and breathing, finding it immensely healing and helpful – a very chilly form of mindfulness. We also love the sound of the hot tubs, Nordic saunas and cold therapy on the banks of Lough Allen (from €20 an hour) at Lough Allen Adventure, Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim; find dates for the next Wim Hof workshop here (€99 per person). Fáilte Ireland recommend nearby Doon Shore as a perfect winter swimming spot.
3 Renew
Keep your skin in good shape this winter without spending a fortune. The ever-reliable Aveeno body range, Skin Renewal, is designed to firm and smooth sensitive skin. First, exfoliate with the Wash Off Gentle Body Scrub and follow with the Firming Lotion or Smoothing Cream, all suitable for those with dry, rough and bumpy skin. It’s a gentle but effective range to help firm and hydrate the skin, from dry arms and elbows to legs. From €12 at pharmacies nationwide.
4 Retreat
Powerscourt Springs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, offers a wide open space for retreating into nature. It’s a low-key venue offering spa treatments, yoga, an indoor pool/sauna/steam room and walks in the forest; overnight retreats are also available. Not connected with the better-known Powerscourt Hotel, this venue describes itself an adults-only health farm. The focus is on quiet, nature-focussed relaxation at accessible prices and within city reach, just half an hour from Dublin.
It’s a popular spot with new mums to gather in a peaceful environment, have a massage and catch up on sleep. It’s comfortable rather than luxurious, and prices are reasonable: you can have a treatment, swim and use the steam room and sauna, and have lunch or dinner from €125 (weekdays), which is a lot less than you’d pay elsewhere. Meet the alpacas, walk the forest trail, do a yoga class and have a massage with lovely Ground Wellbeing oils and balms.
5 Re-discover
A one-to-one or group make-up lesson could be a good way to start the year. Laura Devides is based at the super-sleek Dylan Bradshaw salon in Dublin, offering make-up lessons (and bridal make-up). We especially like the idea of Timeless 45+, an online workshop for refreshing your makeup skills. @lauradevidesmakeup
6 Recover
You might be doing Dry January, but it’s useful to know how to reduce the effects of drinking for the rest of the year. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Maeve O’Sullivan, co-founder of Escapada Health in Dun Laoghaire (opposite Happy Out coffee), gives advice on wise drinking this season. “Champagne has the lowest sugar content of all sparkling wines so I will always opt for it if I’m going to drink. I also always follow the one for one rule, where I have one glass of water for every drink – staying hydrated when you are drinking not only helps prevent your hangover, but it is key to helping cool the ‘heat’ in the body that’s created when you drink alcohol.”
Go-to remedies to prevent a hangover? “To help you avoid your hangover, try drinking a glass or two of concentrated pear juice before indulging in alcohol. This centuries-old remedy is said to have strong anti-inflammatory properties that stimulate the liver, making it a great way to detox your body. If you have a hangover headache, it tends to be throbbing in nature and located around your temples. In TCM, alcohol is heating in nature and therefore the liver – the organ that is responsible for detoxifying the body – needs some cooling down. Although it sounds simple, green tea is great for that kind of headache. Have yourself a cup of VERY strong green tea (two to three bags per cup) to detox and relieve that tension in your temples. Also, an acupuncture session is a great way to resolve a hangover and help flush toxins and release sweet, sweet endorphins.”
To sober up: “If you’ve drunk too much and need to sober up, try a radish in sugar and vinegar – mix a piece of white radish finely sliced in dark rice vinegar and sugar or if you don’t have it, apple cider vinegar works too. It might taste horrid, but this drink can help neutralise the alcohol in the body and allow one to sober up faster.”
For dehydration: “To help reduce general dehydration the morning after, cut ten slices of ginger and mix them with three cups of water in a pan. Bring the water to a soft boil and strain an orange, half a lemon, and add half a cup of honey to the mix to make the ultimate hot tonic for your upset stomach and keep you hydrated. Strain into a cup.
For an upset stomach: “The herbal formula Bao He Wan is amazing if you have an upset stomach. These herbal miracle-workers aren’t just for hangover induced nausea; you can take them anytime your stomach feels upset. Ask your acupuncturist for a prescription or find a Chinese pharmacy near you who will be able to help.”
Visit Escapada for a wide range of health and beauty treatments and classes, from cosmetic acupuncture to yoga, infrared sauna and day retreats. I tried a Synergy facial (€150, 60 minutes) with the lovely Kathryn O’Boyle recently, and found it incredibly uplifting and restorative – she uses a combination of techniques, including facial cupping and buccal massage (working from inside the mouth out). It’s particularly helpful if you struggle with teeth-grinding – the relief and release really eases tension in your face, and helps you look a LOT more rested as a result.
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