Well, Well, Well

Not far from the madding (holiday) crowds of Spain lies a celebrated wellness getaway. Mamta Mody visits in search of zen.

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The subject: An exhausted individual, who finds it difficult to switch off, and has come to rely on sugar and junk food to fight off stress, migraines and fatigue. The recovery plan: A 4-day discovery program at SHA Wellness, in Albir (a charming town on Spain’s southeast coast) for a crash course in self-awareness, healthy eating and slow living.

It seems like a vague goal, especially for a place that’s otherwise known for weight loss and anti-smoking programs, but it was evident from the get-go that SHA puts serious thought into wellness. The founder and Argentinian businessman, Alfredo Bataller Parietti, converted his holiday home into this retreat after he self-cured his chronic illness by following a macrobiotic diet and better lifestyle habits—practices that form the foundation of SHA. This isn’t just any getaway spa, but also a result-oriented medical facility that gives equal emphasis to Eastern philosophy with modern medicine for complete mind-and-body wellbeing.

On day one, I found myself at the doctor’s clinic for my medical assessment. Together we set-up specific goals to rebalance my diet, and to learn to compensate my long work hours with time for self-care and de-stressing, creative pursuits. And their team of MDs, naturopaths, nutritionists, and healing experts were going to ensure I wouldn’t slip into a laissez-faire approach during my short stay.