Category: Blog Page 1 of 2

4 Best Places to Unplug

On November 20, 2017

Overstressed and overworked? Need a break from your ordinary life? Look no further than these four fabulous getaways to help you unplug completely.

Accessible only by boat, Giethoorn is an idyllic village located in the Dutch province of Overijssel, about five kilometers from Steenwirjk. Founded by a group of Mediterranean fugitives in 1230, it only recently became popular when Dutch filmmaker Bert Haanstra shot his movie Fanfare there. With over 90 kilometers of canoe trails to explore by boat or paddle-cycle, Giethoorn is the perfect place to get lost. Spend your days admiring the thatched-roof farmhouses or lingering in one of the many quaint cafes.

Have you always wanted to stay in a traditional Japanese village? If so, look no further than Magoemon Ryokan in Shirakawa-go, Japan. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1995, the village is famous for its traditional farmhouses with steep roofs, in order to help shed the heavy winter snowfall. Winter is an especially beautiful season to visit because during select evenings in January and February, many of the farmhouses are lit up at night. At Maegoemon Ryokan, guests can enjoy the Japanese-style open hearth and both same and mixed gender hot spring baths.

If tropical forests and ocean vistas are more your speed, head to Strawberry Hill Luxury Resort. Perched high atop the Blue Mountains outside of Kingston, Jamaica, this luxury property was selected by the New York Times as one of the “1,000 Places You Need to See Before You Die.” Offering private cottages with panoramic views and an incredible infinity pool, Strawberry Hill is the perfect place to forget your worries. Be sure to check out the lush, on-property gardens and the award-winning spa. If you feel like adventuring off-property, head to one of the many hiking trails or beaches located under an hour away.

Steeped deep in the hills of the Himalayas, Como Uma Paro in Bhutan is a boutique resort, offering pure luxury in a secluded setting. Spend your days lounging by the indoor pool, or take a day trip to one of the many nearby Buddhist temples. The property provides preplanned itineraries that allow you to trek in the nearby mountains, or try your hand at Bhutan’s national sport, archery. Don’t leave without indulging at Bukhari, Como Uma Paro’s principal restaurant, specializing in local, organic food.

No matter where you choose to unplug, you’re sure to return to reality refreshed and completely recharged.

A Healthy Mind Makes a Healthy Business

By deepmarwaha

On October 20, 2017

In Blog, Business, Entrepreneurs

Without a healthy mind and well being, one simply cannot be as productive as they need to be to excel in both their life and business. Many aspects of day-to-day life add copious amounts of stress. This stress in turn degrades one’s well being and mental health, ultimately compromising their business’s growth. However, there are many things one can do to reduce their stress levels, which will improve their overall well being.

Workload

According to one in-depth survey, both unpredictability and deadlines were the number one and three biggest causes of work-related stress. Generally speaking, workload falls into two categories: physical and mental. Although it’s extremely important to get sufficient periods of rest, aside from sleep, mental workload has shown to strengthen one’s psychological workload and capacity. Distractions, such as emails and phone calls, can make work particularly stressful as well. It’s those really inefficient, painful workdays that build the discipline and mental capacity to get things done. Normal days will just seem that much easier after pushing through a hectic day or week. Again, remember to allow for mental and physical rest.

Forget About Comparisons

Comparison only opens the door for negativity, such as envy or self-doubt. There will always be someone out there who makes more money, just like there’s always someone out there who makes less money. Each individual should focus on themselves, not others. Comparison can be extremely counterproductive to one’s business. Social media sites, such as Facebook, tend to make people compare themselves to others. Don’t fall into the comparison trap. It does absolutely nothing but impede one’s way to success by attacking their mental health.

Manage Time Wisely

One of the best ways to beat stress related to deadlines and unpredictability, the number one and three biggest causes of work-related stress, is to manage time wisely. Ideally, there should be zero tolerance for procrastination, a time management disorder that only leads to a stressed and self-loathing mentality. Managing time wisely will give one the level of confidence and fulfillment they need. There’s nothing as rewarding as knowing everything got done at the end of the day.

There are hundreds of more ways to reduce work-related stress. However, these three are the biggest aspects to having a healthy mind, therefore healthy business. In a nutshell, a strong mindset and business requires both discipline and recovery to grow and excel.

Business Skills Entrepreneurs Should Have

By deepmarwaha

On September 18, 2017

In Blog, Business, Entrepreneurs, Skills

The idea of owning your own business, or being an entrepreneur is one that everyone fantasizes about; however, the duties it entails aren’t for everyone. Becoming a successful entrepreneur requires an understanding of several skills. Whether you just started out or have been in the entrepreneurial game for some time, these are the skills most needed for success.

COMMUNICATION

There is not one job you can find that doesn’t require some sort of communication. Even in a job that requires no human interaction, the employee will still have to communicate with their employer for directions, time off, etc. As an entrepreneur, this skill is the number one way to keeping a business successful. You need clear communication between you and your employees. It is impossible to get tasks done if there is no understanding of the task. The best way for your team to be productive is for you to communicate clear rules and guidelines from them to follow. Let’s say you are a solopreneur, you still need to maintain communication with current and potential clients through email or phone, as well as communicate who you are and why people need your business on social media platforms.

PLANNING AND STRATEGY

Who doesn’t know the saying “when you fail to plan, you plan to fail?” As an entrepreneur, one of the most important steps of starting a business is creating a business plan. In the early stages of development, one decision can make or break your success. When you create a plan beforehand, you are forced to look at potential issues down the road and how to avoid or work around them. Creating a plan early on also encourages you to think about the bigger picture and the end result. Make time every year to edit the business plan, and you will be more capable of adapting to changing market conditions, as well as assessing your strategy in comparison with the industry and your competition.

SALES AND FINANCE

If you didn’t already know, entrepreneurs are responsible for creating their sales and profits. So obviously having skills in sales and finance are huge. If you aren’t very experienced with sales, good communication skills can go a long way. Basically you need customers to purchase your product. You use communication (and branding and marketing) to persuade customers to make purchases. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be making sales in no time. Finance, on the other hand, is not such an easy skill to just come by. Before venturing into starting a business, every entrepreneur needs to at least understand profit margins, cash flow, and funding. The more comfortable you are with these terms and numbers, the better you’ll be at understanding where your money is going, optimizing efficiency, and finding ways to grow revenue.

Becoming an entrepreneur can be very rewarding, but first you have to learn the required skills and master them. Starting with communication, planning and strategy, and sales and finance is a great step in the right direction.

The Economic Effects of Wellness Tourism

By deepmarwaha

On August 11, 2017

In Blog

Wellness tourism provides immense benefits to the traveler who decides to take a vacation devoted to the advancement of their health and wellbeing; generally, those who embrace wellness in their travels return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and committed to a healthier lifestyle. Wellness tourism, as a sector of the travel industry, extends its reach far beyond personal benefits, however. It is also a major economic force.

According to the most recent statistics from the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness tourism industry is a $3.72 trillion industry. That represents a 10.6% increase from 2013-2015! What’s remarkable about the wellness tourism industry is its resilience despite periods of economic downturn. Even when global GDP fell 3.6% between 2013 and 2015, global wellness tourism experienced double-digit growth. Additionally, the global wellness tourism industry has grown at twice the rate of overall tourism.

These incredible statistics are nothing to take lightly. A few years ago, wellness tourism was not a term that was even in circulation. There was no sector within the travel industry devoted specifically to wellness. Now, the wellness industry represents 5.1% of global economic output.

So what does the increase in global wellness tourism mean and why does it matter? First, wellness tourism is inextricably linked to other markets, such as spas, hotels, nutrition and weight loss, beauty, public health, alternative medicine, real estate, and workplace wellness, for which had has contributed major economic gains. It benefits economies all over the world, creating 17.9 million jobs worldwide. The average wellness traveler spends 61% more per trip than the standard tourist, so every market wellness industry touches reaps the benefits.

Second, and most importantly, the massive economic success of wellness tourism indicates a shift in attitudes around the world, as more and more people begin to invest in their health and wellness. There is a concerted effort among people around the world to look prioritize wellness, as the GWI reports that wellness expenditures are nearly half as large as total global health expenditures- $3.72 trillion compared to $7.6 trillion in overall healthcare spending.

Katherine Johnston, a Senior Research Fellow for GWI notes the deeper changes the booming global wellness tourism economy is contributing to:

A profound shift in the way people consume wellness is underway: once a luxury or ‘add-on’, it’s now being infused into every aspect of daily life- from how people work to how they travel. And the spend on proactive healthy choices- on wellness- will continue to comprise a greater percentage of massive multi-trillion industries, whether real estate, food and beverage, or travel.

As the global wellness tourism industry continues on its upward path, people of all industries and backgrounds from all around the world have the opportunity to share the wealth, both physically and fiscally.

Deep Marwaha: 4 steps to startup success

Four Steps to Startup Success

By deepmarwaha

On July 7, 2017

In Blog

All great businesses begin as ideas. It sounds incredibly simple, but it’s true. The complicated part is understanding the bridge all entrepreneurs must cross to get from the idea stage to an established business. When only 12% of all first-time entrepreneurs succeed with their startups, it raises the question of what one must do. Unfortunately, there is no magic combination of steps to take to bring your idea into the startup stage and secure success. It comes down to having the drive and motivation to see your idea through. However, you can better your chances of success by following this four-step process.

1. Identify and research your market

If you want to ensure that your product or services will be successful, then you will have to identify a need in the market. Start by asking yourself why: Why do you need to introduce your startup to the market? What is the key purpose? Once you identify why your business is needed and who will benefit from it, you will need to research your target market, as well as your competitors.

2. Bring a prototype before an audience

It’s not enough to bring your idea before investors or your potential market; no one is going to buy into an idea if you don’t have the stats and a product to demonstrate its success. Establish an MVP (minimum viable product) in order to get the feedback you need to perfect your idea into a successful business model. Every startup ever, even Facebook, had to go through a test phase where customers determined its value.

3. Craft a financial plan

Your startup will never take off if you don’t have the funds necessary to support it. Start by figuring out exactly how much money you have at your disposal to start and determining if it is enough to launch your business. Develop a detailed financial model to give yourself an idea of how your business will operate and the goals you will need to accomplish to make a profit. Eighty percent of all startups are self-funded, but if you don’t have the funds you need right away, you may need to consider other sources of capital such as a loan, friends and family, angel investors, and venture capitalists. Research the rewards and risks associated with each to find your best option.

4. Market your brand

The final step to securing startup success is utilizing all of the tools at your disposal to market your brand to the world. Testing your product or service in front of a small audience is crucial in the earlier stages, but ultimately you will need to test your business out on a much larger scale in order to take it to the next level. You will need to craft a detailed PR strategy that encompasses both offline and online tactics.

If you follow these steps, you are likely to find success with your startup. However, don’t think that the hard work ends once you make it to this pivotal point. You will have to consistently put in the effort; according to Entrepreneur, “…running a successful company is about continually innovating and adapting to new market demands.”

The Most Relaxing Destinations Around the World

By deepmarwaha

On July 7, 2017

In Blog

Some vacations are about getting out and taking in new sites, gaining a greater cultural awareness. You may barely get a chance to catch your breath, but it will be worth it at the end of the day when you fall into bed remembering everything you got to experience. Wellness tourism takes a different approach where the vacation is more about investing in yourself than the people and places around you.

When your personal health is on the line, it’s okay to be a little selfish. If your mental and physical wellbeing are at the top of your checklist, then these six relaxing destinations are definitely worth looking into.

1. Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is a pioneer in wellness tourism, from its lush, tropical paradise atmosphere to its vast health and wellness offerings. Thailand’s hospitality industry has really marketed itself as a center for wellness over the last few years, with hotels like CC’s Hideaway rising up to offer full-service wellness packages, such as a yoga retreat that includes healthy meals, meditation, massages, and daily activities such as surf lessons and cooking classes.

2. The Maldives

Type the Maldives into your Google search bar and you will see that words aren’t even needed to describe how tranquil this destination is. The Maldives consists of hundreds of tropical islands surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean which beckon visitors from all around the world seeking the ultimate relaxing escape. There are a plethora of spa and luxury resort options on the islands, such as the villas at Kuramathi or the Cinnamon Dhonveli Resort.

3. Vancouver, Canada

You may associate Canada with Niagara Falls, maple syrup, hockey, and poutine, and not necessarily relaxation. However, the city of Vancouver has a laid-back vibe that other major cities do not. With quiet, pristine beaches and beautiful mountain views, you are sure to find a relaxing vacation destination in Vancouver.

4. Dubai, UAE

My current residence of Dubai still has some room for improvement with its wellness offerings and, known as a luxury city, a lot of its attractions are not affordable to the average person. However, for those willing and able to invest the money in a one-of-a-kind getaway, Dubai will provide. From world-class restaurants to helicopter skiing, there are some relaxing experiences that can only be found in Dubai.

5. Vientiane, Laos

Laos has rightfully earned the title of “laid-back Laos,” from the travel blog, Our Big Fat Travel Adventure. The capital city, Vientiane, is rich in culture with its historic landmarks, delicious restaurants, and Buddhist religion. In Laos, there are plenty of opportunities to embrace the meditative and spiritual values of Buddhism.

6. Marbella, Spain

Most people visiting Spain will look to hit up the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, but one hidden gem that does not get the attention it deserves is the coastal city of Marbella. Relaxation is easy on Marbella’s warm, sunny beaches, and there are plenty of boutiques, bars, and golf courses to help you unwind as well.

Wellness in the Workplace

By deepmarwaha

On June 7, 2017

In Blog

As an entrepreneur in the wellness tourism industry, I am a firm believer in implementing wellness into one’s everyday life. Ever since visiting a Thai wellness facility in 2015, I have been an advocate for embracing a healthy, balanced lifestyle. I am committed to establishing my own wellness facility in Dubai; however, wellness is more than just something one can practice temporarily. It is a way of life and, as such, should encompass every aspect of life.

The average person working a traditional 9-5 job will spend 10.3 years working, or approximately 21% of their total waking hours over a 76-year lifespan. If you’re not careful, you can quickly become a slave to your job, whether you enjoy it or not. Therefore, I believe every company should have an employee wellness program in place. This can look different depending on the company, but every business owner should have their employees’ health and wellness in mind. Workplace wellness programs have been shown to improve employee satisfaction, reduce stress, decrease absences, and increase productivity. To learn about some ways employers can prioritize and implement wellness in the workplace, please head to my WordPress site for the full blog.

Must-See Attractions in Dubai

By deepmarwaha

On May 11, 2017

In Blog

Ranked at the fourth most visited city in the world, Dubai boasts incredible landmarks and attractions that bring in over 14.2 million tourists annually. No matter if you are visiting Dubai for your next solo adventure, romantic getaway, or even family vacation, here is a list of attractions you cannot afford to miss:

The Dubai Fountain

Located at the base of the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain boasts the world’s largest choreographed fountain system. During each show, the Dubai Fountain sprays over 22,000 gallons of water up to 150 feet in the air, enrapturing audiences with the magnificent displays that are perfectly in sync with a variety of music. Shows take place throughout the day and are entirely free to attend.

The Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

Once your fountain show has concluded, head inside of the magnificent Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building — for one of the most breathtaking experiences of your life. After ascending nearly 1,500 feet, the elevator doors will open to the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck. This deck provides a complete, 360-degree view of the city and the outlying deserts and, of course, the ocean. Cost of admission ranges from $95 – $500 USD, and it is strongly recommended that you purchase tickets well in advance of your trip.

Talise Spa

Located in scenic Burj Al Arab, Talise Spa offers a range of luxurious treatments that are beneficial to both the mind and body, including: detoxifying lymphatic drainages, during which a trained professional combines rhythmic strokes with soft pumping motions to promote the flow of lymphatic fluid throughout the body; infrared saunas, which boast the ability to promote intracellular cleansing by enhancing detoxifying enzymes; and even computerized skin analysis, which can quickly determine your skin’s texture, amount of sun damage, and effectively select the best treatment regimen to improve your skin’s overall health.

Softouch Spa

This authentic Ayurvedic spa boasts not only the traditional treatments one would expect a spa to offer — massages, aromatherapy, and even pampering manicures — but a unique, ancient Indian experience as well. The Abhayanga is a holistic oil massage therapy designed to detoxify the Body, Mind, and Spirit. This treatment combines a combination of oils — both aromatic and herbal — that are tailored to your personal Dosha (mind and body) type. Complete with lymphatic stimulation, this massage is sure to cleanse your body of a variety of toxins, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Work Stress Feeds Into Wellness Tourism Industry

By deepmarwaha

On April 4, 2017

In Blog

Have you ever wondered why so many offices offer their employees cool perks like fitness centers, snacks, meditation spaces, even nap pods? It isn’t hard to put two and two together. These benefits are all nice, but they’re in place to accommodate work stress. According to Corporate Wellness Magazine, work stress, defined as “The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them at work,” costs U.S. companies an estimated $300 billion each each and sleep deprivation as a result of excessive work costs another $63 billion.

Work stress is a big problem, especially in America where employees are often overworked and underpaid; however, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. According to the Health and Safety Executive, it affects nearly every individual at some point in his or her life. A survey from Harris Interactive found that 80 percent of American workers could identify at least one stressor in the workplace, the most common culprits being excessive workloads, low pay, and long commutes.

The only upside of all this work stress is that a desire for healthier lifestyles is a byproduct of it, feeding indirectly into the wellness tourism industry. Businesses spend 200-300 percent more on indirect healthcare costs (sick days and decreased productivity) than they do on direct costs in the form of medical, pharmacy, and disability claims, but it seems at least that, with wellness tourism, employees are responding to their stressful environments in the best way they can by making their health a priority.

The phrase “wellness tourism” did not even exist seven years ago, and the industry has already seen amazing growth and changes since it first came into being, eclipsing the growth of tourism overall by a margin of 7%. The global wellness tourism industry is valued at over $500 billion and is expected to expand to $808 billion (nearly a trillion!) in the next few years, considering it grew at a rate of 14% over the past two years compared with 6.9% for overall tourism.

Wellness travelers represent “a new generation of travel enthusiasts,” according to Fast Company. When the industry was just taking off, it catered to the more affluent traveler. Now, realizing the need and desire for wellness travel in the workforce, the industry has adapted to “become more democratized with affordable retreats increasing across the globe.”

Interestingly, in addition to generalized work stress, corporate travel is another driver for wellness tourism, as workers seek a different kind of experience outside of anything associated with work. The Global Business travel Association reported in 2014 that it expected spending on global business travel to increase at a rate of seven percent each year, due primarily to growth in Asian markets. As corporate travel increases, so too should wellness tourism. “In a world where business trips are becoming increasingly common, wellness tourism provides an ideal counterpoint to the stresses associated with corporate travel,” says Matt Timms for BusinessDestinations.com.

Both the demographics and the destinations associated with wellness tourism have changed over the years, with the industry opening up to appeal to a wider socioeconomic audience with more affordable options. Additionally, more destinations are becoming available as countries around the world catch onto the trend and open more wellness tourism businesses. Americans represent the largest share of the industry, due primarily to their overworked lifestyles according to research from Beth McGroarty of the Global Wellness Institute. As a result, America is also the number one destination for wellness tourism- but this type of travel is expanding across the globe, with today’s wellness traveler favoring exotic locales like Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Nicaragua, and Morocco.

As long as job-related stress continues to haunt workers around the world (and it will), wellness tourism will continue to appeal to the frazzled, overworked employee, from bottom-of-the-totem-pole assistants to executive-level bosses, and the industry will continue to grow. “It seems unstoppable,” says McGroarty.

How to Implement Wellness Into Your Everyday Life

By deepmarwaha

On March 6, 2017

In Blog

Wellness tourism is taking off around the world, with centers dedicated exclusively to wellness opening up to offer travelers a spectrum of health-oriented activities including fitness and sports, spa treatments, nutritious dining options, yoga, meditation, stress relief, and health education. Some already-established hotels are implementing wellness into their accommodations while other centers dedicated exclusively to wellness retreats are becoming increasingly common. If you have the means to visit a wellness facility, I highly encourage it as it can be a life-changing experience and has impacted my entire life for the better, but you don’t have to travel the world or spend a lot of money to experience wellness. Or, if you have been to a wellness facility and witnessed its wonders, the wellness activities shouldn’t end when you return home. You can implement wellness into your everyday life.

It may be difficult to stop and take time for yourself when you’re busy with your daily routine- work, errands, doctor’s appointments, etc. But wellness should not be a choice, but a requirement. Make your health a priority and it will improve your overall outlook on life. You may not have the fancy yoga studios, spas, pools, and team sports that a wellness facility offers within your own home, but it’s not hard to make the most of your resources and practice wellness every day. Here are some suggestions to start you off:

Practice Meditation

Meditation can be really difficult to stick to for newcomers. I get that. It’s hard to shut out your surroundings and focus only on yourself when there are so many things running through your mind and going on around you. Did I remember to pay that bill? I can’t forget to make dinner reservations! I need to prepare for that call this afternoon! I have to pick Johnny up from soccer practice after school. And so on and so on. However, meditation is a natural antidote for a range of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, and is medically-proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. If you start to make it a habit, it becomes easier, and there are a plethora of books and apps available to help you out.

Listen to music

According to Huffington Post, music has been shown to reduce stress, aid in memory retention, improve your immune system, motivate you to exercise, and even decrease physical pain. So plug in and unwind. Whether you take time each day to completely zone out to music or you listen to it at work, you will start to see the positive effects. Music with a slow tempo and low pitch (without loud instrumentals or lyrics) is best for reducing stress.

Visit a spa

Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, you’re probably only a few minutes away from a spa. If you can afford it, schedule monthly massages to loosen your tense muscles and focus on any problem areas. If you can’t afford a monthly spa visit, then pamper yourself at home! Simply purchase a yoga massage ball or foam roller for a diy massage. Soak in a warm bath for 20 minutes for further relaxation and stress reduction.

Exercise

Exercise seems more like a chore to most people than a fun activity and I know how difficult it can be to make it a part of one’s daily routine. Motivating yourself to get to the gym after a long day of work when you’d much rather collapse onto your couch is no easy task. But there are so many ways to implement exercise into your life, whether it’s a 15-minute YouTube workout video before work, a class at the gym, or a morning run, find something that works for you and stick to it. You may not have a fitness coach pushing you like you would at a wellness facility, but you can be your own advocate.

Connect with your surroundings

A huge draw of wellness tourism is the opportunity to escape from one’s daily life and bask in a new, distraction-free environment. Simply take a walk and breathe in the fresh air, admire the greenery and flowers, and listen to the birds.

Schedule time to relax into your day

This may seem overly-simple and obvious, but actually writing a time for relaxation into your schedule will make you more likely to do it. Writing your goals and tasks down has been proven to make them more likely to happen. Practice good time management and schedule time into your day, even it’s just a few minutes during work, to de-compress with a book or a walk around the block.

These are just some of the many ways you can implement wellness into your everyday life. Taking a wellness vacation is likely to be a transformative experience, as it was for me, but wellness can start in your own home.