Ways to Embrace Wellness in The Palm Beaches

Who doesn’t love a spa day? Of course, The Palm Beaches offer plenty of options for a massage or facial (more on that below), but there are many other ways to embrace the spirit of wellness and nurture your mental and physical health while you’re here. Take in the sights and sounds of the region, and when you get home, you will find vivid, delightful memories of your trip.

A combination of exploration and relaxation, scuba diving is a great way for people of all ages and experience levels to take in the tropical landscape under the sea. Beginners will enjoy testing out their snorkeling and fish identification skills at Phil Foster Park along the snorkel trail. Known worldwide for its diversity of marine life, the trail is easily accessible from a lifeguarded beach, with gear rentals available from various dive shops and outdoor centers nearby. Swim among a variety of artificial structures where angelfish, coral crab, sea turtles and baby lobster take sanctuary.

Exercise your sea legs with a dive charter from one of the many dive shops in the area. Most operations frequent a mix of their favorite artificial reefs, wrecks and natural coral reefs within a 15-minute boat ride. Most charters typically lead guided drift dives with the help of a divemaster skilled in spotting sea creatures in every passing cranny. Expect a dive plan averaging a 70-foot depth with lots of large green- and loggerhead turtles, spiny lobster, parrotfish, angelfish and schooling fish. Enriched air is encouraged to increase your bottom time.

If you are into running or jogging, or just want to get a scenic walk in, there’s no better place than The Palm Beaches’ waterfront and beachfront pathways. Watching the sun come up by the Juno Beach Pier as your run takes you along Ocean Drive in Jupiter is truly breathtaking.

Another great place to run or walk is along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach; this route can take you along the Intracoastal or even over the bridge onto the island of Palm Beach along the famous Lake Trail, where you can see the Lake Worth Lagoon, West Palm Beach skyline, opulent mansions and yachts.

You can also explore one of the county’s many public parks and natural areas, many of which are hidden gems that feel like local secrets. At Pondhawk Natural Area in Boca Raton, follow a multi-use trail alongside a restored wetland habitat, as well as through scrub lands and slash pine woods. Take a breather at the covered observation platform, and enjoy a side of Florida that many never see.

Meditation is all about enjoying the present, and when traveling, it’s great to get out and find a spot to sit and absorb the new-to-you environment. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a daily practitioner, sitting and seeing someplace new helps instill the whole experience in your mind.
 
When in The Palm Beaches, it’s easy to think waterfront for a great place to let your mind empty and relax. In Lantana, there are two great spots: First up is the pier off Lyman Kayak Park, a hidden gem with surprisingly little traffic to interrupt your sitting. It’s easily accessible from I-95 and offers great views and sounds of the Intracoastal Waterway. From there, you can cross the bridge and check out the Lantana Nature Preserve or Lantana Municipal Beach. There’s a little more traffic here, but you can immerse yourself in the sounds of the ocean. Taking it all in can easily put you in the right frame of mind to let go of your worries and just let time pass.

A visit to any of The Palm Beaches’ gardens — Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens or Mounts Botanical Garden — will encourage moments of reflection. Each of these locations blends lush flora with artistic flourishes in its own inspiring way. These are popular attractions, but even as others are exploring nearby, you can find a hidden corner, consider the beauty of a plant that catches your eye or stroll quietly, appreciating the colorful scenery and immersive art.

Grassy Waters Preserve is another amazing place. Just taking a short walk through the Apoxee Nature Trail there, you are transported from an urban environment to remote wetlands. Grassy Waters is home to a variety of native birds and animals, including alligators. Sitting and enjoying the wildlife around you will put you back in sync with the natural world, helping you to appreciate the environment and put your impact on the world in perspective. After sitting for 30 minutes, the walk back will be a whole new experience (walking can be meditation, too!).

You can also find tranquility in the middle of a busy city. The fountains at Flagler Park in West Palm Beach on the east end of Clematis Street by the waterfront provide a vibrant blend of city life and natural beauty, combining the water elements you would expect in The Palm Beaches with the vibrant sounds of life all around you. Here you can find a bench, take in the people and just enjoy life.

When traveling, it’s easy to give in to the temptation to overindulge, and why not? You’re on vacation. But when you crave something healthier, there are many local restaurants where you can nourish your body with nutritious but delicious food. Darbster, a chic waterfront bistro in West Palm Beach, features creative, veggie-forward and often-organic brunch and dinner dishes with vegan, vegetarian and meat options. For something more on-the-go, check out Smoothie Me Please in Riviera Beach, offering a colorful array of fresh-made smoothies, soups, salads, sandwiches, açaí bowls and lemonade. It’s a great option for picking up breakfast or lunch for a beachside picnic. In Delray Beach, dine fully guilt-free at The New Vegan, which offers a diverse array of healthy vegan food that will please even the pickiest of meat eaters.

And finally, sometimes, there is no substitute for treating yourself to a little pampering at one of The Palm Beaches’ many resort and day spas. The Eau Spa at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in the charming beachfront community of Manalapan features a variety of amazing treatments that you can savor in a tranquil garden atmosphere. In Palm Beach Gardens, The Lane Spa has been providing its indulgent services, from relaxing massages to specialty facials to nail services, for more than 25 years. And opening in 2021, the Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island will approach wellness travel with a truly holistic approach blending Eastern health and wellbeing philosophies with the latest technologies in its 100,000 square feet of wellness space, including a top-of-the-line spa, of course.