All the Elements of Byron
When it comes to relaxing, rebalancing and reviving, Deb Caruso discovers a wellness haven with all the elements needed for the perfect reset.
Everyone needs to take time out to relax, rebalance and revive in order to feel well and ensure our minds and bodies are healthy.
I consciously try to not reply “busy” every time I’m asked how I am.
While I certainly don’t want to glorify busy-ness, I feel there is no other word that accurately describes the feeling of overwhelm, of not doing enough, of not being enough – of never, ever catching up on the long ‘to do’ list.
I know I’m not alone. All our clients are busy, all my friends are busy, my family – busy, busy, busy.
It can be hard to break the cycle and take the time needed to reset and calm the monkey mind.
I had been scheduled to do a review of the Wellness Package at Elements of Byron for a few months but hadn’t gotten around to booking it – too busy.
Before I knew it, we were on deadline for our summer edition and time had run out. Our amazing friends at Elements of Byron had to practically beg me to come – and can you believe I really tried to NOT go? Busy? Yes! Crazy? Probably!
At the same time, one of my dearest friends for more than three decades was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer (the second in our crew of eight who have weathered decades of births, deaths, marriages and divorces).
Suddenly ‘busy’ wasn’t relevant. I have been on the hamster wheel for decades and realised it was time to get off and reassess my priorities.
The Wellness Package is a ‘choose your own adventure’ style with the resort and surrounding facilities providing everything you need to relax, rebalance and revive at your own pace – and with no pressure.
The team at Elements of Byron encourage you to curate your own path to wellness with a five-night package that invites you to focus on three key phases: Relax, Rebalance and Revive.
This certainly appealed to me as the last thing I felt like I needed was a set schedule and the added pressure of unwinding and relaxing to a schedule.
The only scheduled activity was the 7am free yoga class overlooking stunning Belongil Beach; the rest was a self-guided journey to take full advantage of what was on offer and the empowering freedom to do what I wanted at my own pace.
It’s not difficult to relax with the ecologically-designed villas nestled in nature and surrounded by lush trees and wildlife.
Walking trails weave throughout the resort’s 20 acres of native rainforest and wetlands with 2kms of walking trails.
The stunning beach with views to Julian Rocks, Cape Byron and the Byron Bay lighthouse invite exploration with the reassuring and relentless roar of the ocean provides a soothing soundtrack.
All the spaces at this eco resort invite relaxation – from the hanging sun beds or ample and spacious, private poolside cabanas and lounges; to various nooks set amongst the resort with bocce pits, giant chess or umbrellas, tables and chairs set up under sprawling fig trees that must be centuries old.
Inside the rooms, king-sized beds, blackout curtains, sprawling lounges and freestanding baths, some with private bathhouses; take eco luxury to the next level and invite blissful slumber.
If you need a bit more help unwinding, book a treatment at Osprey Spa. The Osprey Signature Massage combining the use of Guasha, pressure point therapy and lymphatic drainage allowed me to unwind and release the tension that comes with deadlines.
With the body relaxed, it was time to reconnect with my breath and rebalance my mind. Yoga at sunrise overlooking the ocean was the best way to start the day; while floating in one of two pools, more specifically the adults-only pool with swim-up bar and cocktails and food delivered direct to your cabana, made the afternoons a sheer delight!
According to the Elements of Byron blueprint for wellness, ‘Revival’ is the final phase which empowers the body to exist at a higher level to leave you feeling bold, brave and ready to tackle life with new clarity and purpose.
Engaging in nature’s gifts with rainforest walks, any number of water activities or exploring the forest and beach on horseback. The two-hour horseride with Zephyr Horses was a meditation in motion with stunning natural trails through paperbark forests, wetlands and long rides on the beach.
With a multitude of food options infused with native ingredients and the world’s first solar-powered train delivering you direct to town, Elements of Byron has all the ingredients needed for a reset and realignment.
While I couldn’t fully escape having to work while away, I found enough time to immerse myself in nature, nurture and add a dash of adventure.
From swimming laps to working off the laptop from my private pool cabana; long baths with luxury bathsalts; superb sleep and restorative yoga, I emerged relaxed, rebalanced and revived.
IT’S ELEMENTAL
Elements of Byron is an award-winning, luxury beachfront resort with world-class facilities hosting unforgettable experiences. Perfect for couples, families, friends or the solo traveller seeking a superb getaway.
Elements of Wellness is a five-night self-guided wellness experience offering discounted accommodation, exclusive inclusions and optional wellness experiences. To find out more and book visit www.elementsofbyron.com.au