Holidays are an essential escape from the everyday, and for those with a hectic lifestyle, a spa stay is a particularly beneficial use of precious time out. But what makes a break truly restore your body and mind? We asked our experts - the senior therapists at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa’s Talise Spa, a haven of relaxation on Kuwait’s southern coast.

Why take a wellness holiday?

Wellness holidays are all about relaxing and de-stressing. As well as offering a range of wellness therapies, holistic activities and pampering sessions, they also offer a great opportunity to take in the local attractions and scenic destinations.

How does spending time at a spa help to reduce stress?

The most common types of stress we see in clients are muscular problems and emotional distress, a combination of irritability, anger, anxiety and depression. Allowing yourself to relax is key to keeping those stress and anxiety levels under control.

To most of us, the epitome of relaxation is a day at a spa, and with good reason. Massages, for example, have both mental and physical health benefits. Many studies confirm that the human touch releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps to counteract stress hormones. Massages reduce stress, lower blood pressure, decrease muscle tension and pain, improve circulation and cultivate a sense of wellbeing.

What’s the best way to unwind at the start of a spa hotel stay?

Air travel, lack of sleep, navigating unfamiliar surroundings and jet lag can all cause stress. To combat this, we recommend a hot stone massage and an algae wrap treatment. The heat therapy melts away tension, eases muscle stiffness and increases circulation and metabolism, which in turn eliminates jet lag symptoms. Meanwhile, algae wraps provide a sense of wellbeing and relaxation. Your skin is deeply polished and then cocooned in warm algae, which infuses its minerals, vitamins and micro-nutrients into the body and deeply detoxifies it. This treatment activates circulation, increases metabolism, relieves aches and pains and the stresses of travelling.

Between treatments, what’s the best way of using a spa’s facilities?

Start with the thermal and heat facilities to relax and unwind. While sauna and steam rooms are known to relax both your body and mind, they also have many other benefits such as clearing your skin, relieving tension, removing toxins, reducing stress, relaxing muscles, and opening sinuses, all perfect ways to prepare your body for your hands-on therapy.

How can you get the best out of your spa stay?

To maximize the effectiveness of your treatments, start by talking to your therapist about your needs. Consultation is key to maximizing the benefits and effectiveness of your treatment. It enables the therapist to establish your needs, preferences and concerns, and then tailor your service so it is truly beneficial to you. After your treatment, your therapist should always take the time to give you recommendations about homecare, education, health and lifestyle advice so you can continue to get results at home. For the best results we recommend regular visits.

Can you reveal how the experts at Talise Spa choose to stay healthy?

We keep healthy through diet, eliminating caffeine, sugar, and fat. We also take regular exercise. When it comes to detox massages, we choose a manual lymphatic drainage, which stimulates the lymphatic system with gentle massaging strokes. The light rhythmical massage encourages the lymphatic system to eliminate metabolic waste products, excess fluid and bacteria. We also do mud treatments which are very popular amongst spa aficionados. Slathering yourself in mud that’s full of beneficial minerals is a great way to begin a detox, or a fantastic reward at the end.