It takes me approximately 82 minutes to feel so at home at Revivo Wellness Resort that I fall asleep in yoga and wake to find the teacher and several unknown faces gazing down at me. Obviously, I am mortified (was my mouth open? was I snoring?), but any embarrassment dissipates within – ooooh – seconds. After all, I’m not on a solo trip in Bali to care about what I look like; my focus here is on what I feel like.
Considering how I feel is not a pastime I do often; checking in with myself is not a priority. But it appears I need to get with it. According to all the brain experts, dedicating just a small portion of time to yourself can reduce stress, foster self-improvement, and ensure you’re well-rested to face what’s to come. What’s more, according to all the travel experts, holidaying alone is excellent for the soul and a key opportunity to recalibrate yourself – something that is equally as important for mental health as connection to others. A single sojourn to a wellness retreat is just the ticket then.
Emotional health
Being a tailor-made resort, service at Revivo starts before my arrival with the completion of a comprehensive questionnaire about my life. It covers all manner of subjects from menstruation to marital situation, and as a result the on-site doctor places me on their Emotional Health & Mindfulness package.
Revivo is just a half-hour drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in a countryside setting. Walking inside feels like receiving a massive hug. The staff are serene and smiley, and the natural landscape dotted with majestic frangipani trees and low-rise buildings is minimalist and instantly calming. With only 16 villas, a restaurant, lounge, fitness studio, Remissio spa, yoga studio, meditation rooms, and luxurious large pool, it’s intimate enough to not feel overwhelming, but large enough to allow guests to blend into the background if you so wish.
At check-in I’m invited to start my pre-prepared personalised package with a gentle yin yoga session. As I stretch out by the studio’s open floor-to-ceiling doors, dappled rays of light beam onto my feet. Just like that, I’m out like a light …
“54% of individuals planned a solo trip in 2024”
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Initial consultation
Everyone at Revivo is assigned a bespoke programme, but the mission for all remains the same: to help guests find “mind-body harmony and happiness” through self-discovery and healing. Aside from my Emotional Balance & Mindfulness programme, signature packages include De-stress & Relax, Sleep Well, Detox, Longevity & Anti-Ageing, Press Reset, and more. Each package starts at three nights and includes retreat consultations, spa treatments, movement classes, healthy meals, and nighttime rituals. Mindfulness practices and journalling are ecouraged throughout to keep you on track.
My initial consultation with wellness consultant Didi sets me up for what lies ahead. We talk through my questionnaire and I have my body composition, posture, and circumferences taken via a super-tech 3D body scanner. The results point to areas in which I need help – pain in the body, bad posture, excess fat. We also discuss personal goals for my stay and write them down – this provides motivation to stay focused.
Days at Revivo are structured but not rigid. They generally start at 7.30am with homemade Trio Shots of lemon, kombucha and turmeric, and coconut. I’m assigned three tailored meals and snacks plus one activity class in the morning and afternoon. In the evenings there’s a holistic spa treatment before bed. I am not booked in for any of the more vigorous workouts available in the fully equipped gym, but I do add swimming and time at the on-site hot and cold plunge pools into my schedule.
Sense of peace
I’m excited to embark on the wellness activities assigned to me. Morning hatha yoga energises me for the day, and the hot stone massage, herbal bath, and vibrational sound therapy calm my nervous system and instill a sense of peace. My first private breathwork session facilitated by Sofia is both fascinating and valuable. As I lay in a comfortable position, she uses the vibrations of the Indian harmonium and a selection of gongs to decompress my mind and body, before guiding my breath into a deeper state of relaxation.
I love the group mandala meditation which sees me creating my own mandala with fresh petals. According to modern medicine, doing so evokes calm and channels concentration. In addition, my acupuncture session session with wellness consultant Dr. Jay leaves me feeling super-chill. As two tiny needles are placed on my third eye and the top of my scalp for mental balance, I have a side order of moxibustion – a Traditional Chinese Medicine where mugwort leaves are burned around the body to stimulate Qi (energy), strengthen the blood, and maintain general health.
My first foray into a TCM gua sha facial massage is also a revelation. This practice – which massages with a rose quartz gua sha tool – breaks up blockages, improves blood flow, lessens toxins, and reduces pain. As a nighttime teeth grinder, this feels positively pleasant on my vice-like jaw.
“Light beams onto my feet and I’m out like a light”
Self-confidence
Latest research points to single travel being a major travel trend, and that more married women than ever are travelling without their other half. Indeed, the clientele at Revivo comprises singles and couples of all ages, male and female. It is over a dinner of hearty kale miso soup; chunky fish, sweet potato, and falafel; and chocolate brownies that fellow guests Cathy and Ingrid, two lifelong friends from Australia and Scotland, reveal they are on their third visit. They make it a tradition to “meet in the middle” here once a year.
Says Lucia from Spain, “My children have flown the nest, and I have more time to focus on my passions for yoga and nutrition. My husband has knee issues and doesn’t share my interest in wellbeing. He supports that I travel solo as I support his golf.” Also a third-timer to Revivo, Lucia adds, “Coming here is like coming home. I reconnect to the curious and independent person I am who has somewhat disappeared. I experience something new about myself when I holiday alone, especially when it comes to self-confidence.”
As for me, three days of head-to-toe healing has been a precious opportunity to focus on things that I may not have faced had I not stopped and spent dedicated time on myself. After 72 hours I feel physically healthier, mentally stronger, and ready to handle life’s challenges. One major discovery on my journey to me? I can’t wait to return to Revivo.
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5 reasons why self-connection matters
- Enhances Self-Awareness
Connecting with yourself helps you understand your emotions, strengths, and weaknesses. This self-awareness allows you to make better decisions, improve relationships, and live a more fulfilling life. - Boosts Mental Health
Taking time to connect with yourself can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides an opportunity to process your thoughts and emotions, leading to a calmer and more balanced state of mind. - Increases Resilience
When you have a strong connection with yourself, you’re better equipped to deal with life’s obstacles. Inner strength and clarity help you bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive outlook. - Fosters Personal Growth
Self-connection encourages introspection and self-reflection. By understanding your motivations, you can set meaningful goals and pursue life with confidence. - Improves Relationships
Knowing yourself better enables you to communicate more effectively and set healthy boundaries. This can lead to deeper, more authentic connections with others.
Statistics source: skift.com
