Paths to Wellness

Written by Jennifer McKee and Cynthia Van Gaasbeck

Wellness can come in many different shapes and forms. Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it as “the quality or state of being in good health, especially as an actively sought goal.” Many people think of physical wellness, and the satisfaction and benefits that come from working out. Others point to mental wellness, which encompasses emotional, psychological and social well-being.

But have you considered financial wellness, the ability to live within your means and to manage your money in a way that gives you peace of mind? How about environmental wellness, having good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that promote interaction with nature? Join us on a journey through these different branches of wellness, and meet experts working to making peoples’ worlds a little brighter.

Discover Your Journey

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A Horse of Course

Equine-assisted therapy programs take clients on an experiential journey to wellness. 

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How The City Beautiful Stays Alluring

Urban planners are passionate about keeping Orlando beautiful, livable and sustainable.

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The Road to Financial Wellness

Tips for managing your future.

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Get to Know These Women-Owned Florida Brands

These ladies are changing the face of wellness from the inside out.

The 2024 Central Florida Spa Bracket Challenge Results

The surest way to relaxation is to recline on a spa table, where skilled masseuses and masseurs get to work massaging sore muscles, hydrating skin and make you feel better with their soothing techniques. From larger resort spas to smaller day spas, there are a wealth of facilities in Orlando. So how to choose? By consulting yourself, sort of.

We asked you, our readers, to vote in our March Madness-style spa bracket, from which you culled the best spas in Orlando from a field of 32. Here, we present the Final Four, starting with our winner, The Spa at Shingle Creek.

The Spa At Shingle Creek

And the winner is…

The Spa at Shingle Creek

Celebrated for its tranquil elegance, The Spa at Shingle Creek is a spot for all-day indulgence. New offerings include everything from the Espresso-limon Exfoliation Detox, leaving your body sleek, smooth and purified, to the Island Escape Body Treatment, with a coconut sugar exfoliation and honey body mask designed to rid tension and leave you glowing. The Creekside Signature Massage, with aromatherapy, heat and gentle stretching, is beyond luxury as its revitalizing oils calm the nerves and provide relief to overused muscles. Round out your experience with a soak in a whirlpool tub, a sit in the sauna or a plunge in the outdoor pool. Read more.

The Marvelous Meliá

Dji 0759Affiliated with Dr. Deepak Chopra, a world-renowned pioneer in medicine, well-being and spirituality, the Meliá Orlando Celebration Hotel was created with wellness in mind. It’s located in a community right beside Disney World and offers spacious rooms and a 360-degree infinity pool, so every member of your family will be comfortable and happy here.  Meliá’s gem, however, is its Stay Well by Delos™ Suites, designed to elevate your mood and improve your health. The suites’ technologically advanced products were selected for their ability to improve air quality, sleep patterns, mindfulness and energy levels. Read more.

Spa-ing for Beginners

It’s a rite of passage, an experience one should never forget: their first spa treatment.

Here are some rules of etiquette to know before you go.