Neal's Yard Holidays Blog

When the clocks go forward at 1 am on Sunday we’ll lose an hour of sleep. Even if you’re not one of the one in three people who have difficulty falling and staying asleep or the one in ten who regularly experience insomnia, this news is never welcome. So, how can we all learn to sleep better?

Posted in Healthy Living

Tagged Healthy living tips, insomnia, sleep help, sleep improvement

International Women’s Day seems more necessary than ever after a year where 300,000 women took to the streets across the globe in protest against President Donald Trump’s treatment of women as well as general anti-Trump feeling against his inherent sexism (and racism). This is all in stark contrast to 2011 when former US President Barack Obama proclaimed March to be ‘Women’s History Month.’

International Women’s Day resonates following a time when allegations against Harvey Weinstein and the wider Hollywood film industry have quickly snowballed into an international-scale revelation of seemingly infinite abuses against women (and yes, men too) in all industries followed by reports of abuses of women by leading charities and BBC reporters resigning over the disparity in pay… the list goes on. Read more…

Posted in Women's Topics

Tagged equal pay for women, equal rights, women's events, Women's wellbeing

Dark chocolate health benefits

Feb21

Easter is coming and the shops are already full of chocolate products, from eggs to bunnies. But as is increasingly known, there’s a healthier option that’s equally delicious: dark chocolate. The health benefits of eating dark chocolate, with a cocoa percentage of seventy percent or more (ideally 85 percent), mean the once-decadent sweet treat has now entered the mainstream. Certainly, here at Neal’s Yard Holidays we love our chocolate. Who doesn’t?

Posted in Healthy Living

Tagged dark chocolate Easter eggs, dark chololate, healthy Easter eggs, Healthy eating, Healthy living tips, raw chocolate

New wellbeing holidays: is one of these your next escape?

Feb14

Boat at Ayurveda Yoga Retreats Bentota SriLanka

Some of our cherished Neal’s Yard Holidays devotees recently told us they’d like to browse our new wellbeing holidays without too much fuss.

And why not? If you’ve been on a few of our retreats already, or if you’re simply pushed for time and want to know the latest destinations on offer, being able to see our new wellbeing holidays at a glance sounds like a pretty good idea. Of course, we couldn’t help but listen.

Posted in New Wellbeing Holidays

Tagged Ayurveda Holidays, Beach Holidays, Detox Holidays, life coaching retreats, Meditation Retreats, mindfulness retreats, tai chi retreat, Weekend Retreats, wellbeing retreat, Wellness retreats, Women's wellbeing, Yoga Retreats

Mother’s Day retreat ideas

Feb08

Mother's Day retreat, mother and daughter laugh together

How about treating yourself and your mum to a wellness retreat this spring? Here are our hand-picked Mother’s Day retreat ideas.

Wondering what to get for your mum for mother’s day this year? Forget about the usual flowers and chocolates. What better way to show your mum how much she means to you than taking her on a special spa break or wellbeing retreat. Treat her to a Mother’s day retreat (pardon the pun).

No need to go far, we have some excellent UK weekend breaks that don’t cost the earth but offer the pampering your mum deserves. You could always join her and spend some quality time together. And if you want to treat your mum to something really special, read on for Neal’s Yard Holidays’ picks of once-in-a-lifetime holidays, and Mother’s day retreat weekends.

This year Mother’s day is on the 11th of March 2018. So what are you waiting for? Read more…

Posted in Mother's Day Retreats

Tagged Beach Holidays, Mother's day getaway, Mother's Day retreat, Mother's Day weekend break, UK holiday retreats, Weekend Retreats, Yoga Retreats

Wellness Trends for 2018: Find out what’s hot

Jan25

Last year’s wellness trends included the Danish concept of hygge, using coconut oil for pretty much everything and our old friend mindfulness.

This year’s trends focus on food, both as medicine and nutrition, better sleep and an awareness of the environment as we nurture ourselves. Read on for the key wellness trends to watch in 2018. Read more…

Posted in Wellness retreats

Tagged Healthy eating, Healthy living, mindfulness, tai chi retreat

Could going vegan be good for you and the planet?

Jan10

vegan food in red pot surounded by vegetables

There is no doubt about it. Veganism is on the rise. In 2016 there were over half a million vegans in Great Britain, that’s three and a half times as many as estimated in 2006, and that figure only looks to be increasing further still, as noted by the Vegan Society.

As the vegan movement continues to gain momentum, we consider is adopting a plant-based lifestyle beneficial for both your health and the planet? Read more…

Posted in Healthy Living

Tagged environment, healthy diet, Healthy eating, Vegan, vegan diets, vegan food, Veganuary

Affordable retreats for 2018

Dec19

Happy group of people outdoors at AdventureYogi Retreat Sussex UK

We all need something to look forward in 2018 and a relaxing holiday is often top of the list. If the purse strings are little tight, finding affordable retreats is key.

At Neal’s Yard Holidays we’ve got wellness retreats to suit everyone. Our most affordable retreats cost just under £200 for a half board weekend retreat in the UK or travel abroad for £500 per person per week full or half board, including activities and excluding flights. Plan ahead to save more with early bird discounts, and don’t miss out due to limited spaces available.

So you don’t have to skimp on choices, see below our round-up of affordable retreats and even more on our website. Plus see exclusive offers to Neal’s Yard Holidays’ guests.

Getting there doesn’t have to cost the earth either – use our tips for cheap train and plane travel to keep those cheap retreats cheap. Read more…

Posted in Budget retreats

Tagged affordable retreats UK, affordable wellness retreats, affordable yoga retreats, best budget retreats, budget wellness retreats, cheap wellness retreats, cheap yoga retreats, winter sun retreats

Meditation and mindfulness: the same or different?

Nov28

Meditation and Mindfulness person with closed eyes

Within minutes of sitting down to start writing this blog about meditation and mindfulness I was distracted by a pop-up ad for a furniture brand I must have searched for on the internet earlier. Naturally, I switched my attention from meditation and mindfulness to sofas in a matter of seconds.

I’m currently dealing with bereavement and multiple freelance projects which combine to mean sleepless nights and a struggle to focus. Meditation and mindfulness are the recommended solutions but for me, there is some confusion over two terms which are often used interchangeably.

There’s meditation, mindfulness and, yes even, mindful meditation. So are they the same or different? Let’s start by defining each term separately. Read more…

Posted in wellbeing tips

Tagged Hatha Yoga, meditation, Meditation Retreats, mindfulness, mindfulness retreats, Tai Chi

Best UK spa break offers

Oct25

At spa break two women in robes laughing

Embracing the change in season, as the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, can be helped by a UK spa break offer for the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation with an added extra.

The annual National Spa Week, from 30th October until 5 November this year, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of the physical, mental and emotional benefits of going to spas on a regular basis. Here at Neal’s Yard Holidays, we also understand a thing or two about the importance of a good spa break, whether for relaxing massages and exercise or more mindful practices such as meditation and yoga. We’ve rounded up the best UK spa break offers with availability this autumn and winter – so no flying or airport queues – all in tranquil settings offering a combination of healthy meals, relaxation and exercise.