Finding your joy: small moments, lasting wellbeing
Wellness can sound like a lot of work. Early mornings, long routines, a version of you that is much more disciplined than you feel right now.
But most of the time, it is much simpler than that. It might be ten quiet minutes before the day begins; a walk where you actually notice the trees; laughter as you try to master a new skill.
Wherever you stay with us, there are easy ways to find your joy, from small, feel-good moments to the ones you find yourself thinking about long after.
Slow down and tune in
Wellbeing often begins with feeling a little more connected – to yourself, to the people you are with, and to your surroundings.
In the vast desert of the Ashar Valley in Saudi Arabia, Banyan Tree AlUla makes that surprisingly easy. One look at the sweeping sandstone formations, and something inside you shifts.
Begin with a quiet morning, then have a massage inside a hidden cave, before drifting towards the infinity pool carved into the canyon. The view stretches on, the silence settles in, and before you know it, you have forgotten what day it is.
High in the Yandang Mountains of eastern China, Homm Wenzhou Nanxijiang offers a different kind of escape. Mist rolls over the hills, the forest bristles with birdlife, and the hot springs quietly steal the show. You slip into one hot spring pool, then another, moving at your own pace, pausing now and then just to take it all in. It is the kind of place where “just one more soak” becomes the plan for the afternoon, and no one is complaining.
Housed inside a restored 19th-century fort in Montenegro’s Boka Bay, Mamula Island by Banyan Tree offers a different kind of connection, shaped by sea, history and stillness. You wake to the sound of the water, light spilling into your room, before heading to the spa. Try a yoga workshop with a visiting expert, or a restorative sound healing session, before ending your day with dinner under the stars or inside candlelit stone walls.
If you are travelling with your partner, our Banyan Tree Connections journey is a chance to slow down and connect, side by side. At Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Mexico days start gently. Perhaps with a private couples’ yoga session, before a long walk along the beach or a quiet paddle through the mangroves by kayak. Or you can simply let the day unfold, with no bigger decision than what to have for lunch.
Move to feel good
Moving your body does not have to mean pushing yourself. Sometimes, it is just about waking up gently or shaking off the day in a way that feels good.
At Cassia Phuket, in Thailand, mornings begin with the kind of yoga session that makes you wonder why you do not do this more often. The light is soft, the pace is easy, and by the end of it, you feel ready to take on the day. If you are in the mood for something livelier, Muay Thai lessons offer a different kind of energy. You learn the basics of this traditional martial art, throw a few punches, and leave feeling both energised and slightly impressed with yourself.
Set in historically rich Central Java in Indonesia, Garrya Bianti Yogyakarta is a lush, tranquil retreat with a note of playfulness. Swing yoga quite literally lifts your mood, floating sound healing helps you switch off in the best way, and creative wellbeing sessions blur the line between movement and fun, especially on the forest shrouded riverside deck. It is easy to try something new without overthinking it, which is often when you enjoy it most.
At Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, deep in the Balinese jungle, the open-air villas look out onto nothing but forest and distant mountains – the kind of views that make you want to step straight into them. Head out on a guided walk, try a little foraging, or join an open-air yoga session with nothing but birdsong and breeze as a backdrop. No walls, no doors, no distractions. You will just find fresh air and the feeling of being properly present.
Create and enjoy
You do not have to think of yourself as creative to enjoy making something. It is less about the outcome and more about the moment. Being absorbed, a little curious, and letting go enough to have fun.
The sub-tropical beauty of Weizhou Island in China is more than enough to lift your spirits. At Dhawa Beihai Weizhou Island, that easy-going feeling spills into creativity. Spend time painting shells, trying local crafts, or piecing together a Zhuang brocade sachet, its bright patterns rooted in local tradition. There is no right way to do it, no end goal to worry about, just the simple pleasure of doing something a little different, just because you can.
There is plenty of room for creativity at Angsana Lang Co, when you are not drinking in the views across Vietnam’s Lang Co Bay. The cooking class you sign up for turns into a long, laughter-filled afternoon. You find yourself unexpectedly absorbed by a craft workshop making paper lotus flowers. Time slips by, conversations wander, and you leave with something that may not be perfect but feels entirely your own.
In Morocco, Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay adds a sense of place to the mix. Framed by mountains and sea, the setting alone is enough to inspire you. Then come the details: craft sessions making traditional zellij tiles, learning how to blend fragrant spices, both hands-on experiences that pull you right into the culture. You might get a little messy at times, but this makes you enjoy it even more.
For more travel tips, see our stories including about reconnecting with nature and travel as a force for good.