Sometimes you need to evaluate things and what better place to do that than under the Spanish sun, close to the Mediterranean and surrounded by the Sierra Helada Natural Park?
This week at SHA I had the opportunity to experience the Rebalance & Energize programme and learned more than I expected about my energy levels, the best possible diet for longevity and well-being, and a stable health that allows me to look forward to getting older.
Taking care of yourself from time to time is the most valuable asset you have, because what you know will show up on your health record in 10 years or sooner.
I am not jumping on the longevity bandwagon, but I would like to live my life the way I do now, even when I am 8o years old.
I would change nothing, except the way I eat, the kind of sport I do and the way I look after myself. By that I mean slowing down, evaluating and readjusting things.
Here is a brief summary of what I learnt from the 4-day Rebalance & Energize programme at SHA, a good balance of holistic and medical treatments. In addition, the clinic offers a fully integrated wellness package, from nutrition to fitness, from dentistry to detoxification, from preventative medicine to cognitive healthy ageing, from natural therapies to cognitive and emotional wellbeing:
SPORT
After my consultation with Dr Mera, who advises on the healthy ageing programme, the question arose: How do you do sport? And is it right for me?
I do yoga every other day, I run and swim, but I hate gyms to build muscles. That was exactly his advice, building muscle structure is the most important thing, not only when you get older.
I also had a private lesson in Pranayama, which taught me a lot about correct breathing. Not only important for yoga, but in general.
Running is perfect, especially for balancing hormones. Swimming is good for my general wellbeing and lymphatic system, but running is much better for preventing osteoporosis.
In my Pilates class I learnt that squeezing the pelvis is the key to healthy ageing for women, and strengthening the abdominals stabilises the back and therefore gets rid of back and shoulder pain.
MIND
The Rebalance & Energize programme includes a neurological test that tells you a lot about the current state of your brain. Talking to neurologist Dr Bruno Ribeiro is fascinating as he looks at the health of your brain, from testing its fatigue to seeing if you have a predisposition to Alzheimer’s. He also practises transcranial stimulation (a non-invasive, magnetic form of brain stimulation).
I have learnt that too much gluten and overwork can lead to dimensia, so …..
Exercise your brain like you exercise your muscles. I am going to join a choir when I get back home as singing not only lifts your spirits but also trains your brain to memorise notes and songs.
How important it is to get enough oxygen, not just for your brain but for your whole body. Remember to take daily walks, use your bike instead of the car and start meditating.
FOOD
This is a huge chapter at SHA. Book a cooking class to learn about the life-changing macrobiotic cuisine that you will love during your stay, I learned some really good tips from Head Chef Andres Morán on how to make porridge that tastes delicious and the daily miso soup that fills your stomach with nutrients for breakfast, not forgetting to drink apple cider vinegar before each meal for healthy digestion.
The nutritionist told me to stop drinking coffee, yes! It dries out your skin and makes you look older.
Coffee removes vitamin C and iron from your meals, so it basically kills all the good things in a healthy diet. If you can’t skip it, cut down and don’t drink it after a healthy salad.
Skip meat too and eat it only occasionally. If you want to grow old at your best, a plant-based and protein-rich diet is the answer.
SEXUAL LIFE
Something that is easily neglected in the busy times we are in, but it is the joy of life.
It does not always mean having sex, but being caring, attentive to your partner, forgiving, etc.
Also take care of your sexual organs. Use natural creams to moisturise, like you do with your face?
This coaching also teaches you to be good and loving to yourself. Create an atmosphere around you that inspires you and others.
Creativity helps.
TAKE A BREAK
I like to take breaks and I enjoy them very much, this is the benefit of working hard, you really appreciate your break.
So make your break perfect by organising your stay well in advance. Make sure you meet these local specialists: Dr Mera, who advises on healthy ageing; Dr Gonzalez-Bonilla, a brilliant Guatemalan dentist; Dr Dalbos, an elegant French aesthetic doctor; and Dr Ribeiro, who specialises in neurocognitive assessments.a and Philippa Harvey, Head of TCM at SHA, who offers acupuncture sessions not to be missed. Do not forget a nutritionist and a private training session in your favourite sport.
Why do I recommend this programme at SHA? I have visited and written about many health clinics, but most of them have a doctrine about them, mostly with only one direction.
There is not much joy in being on a regimen and it is often difficult to continue once you are back home.
At SHA I have found that not only do they have the latest equipment, gadgets and expertise, with doctors from all over the world, but there is joy, perhaps because of the sunny location in the south of Spain, the fine food that makes you understand that food is healing and of course the extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff.
These aspects make for a perfect retreat, which you can also visit this year in Mexico and soon in the Emirates.
Each one focuses on their local heritage, food and healing methods, alongside an international medical and holistic programme in a SHA DNA.
