Being one of the UK’s largest cities, it can be hard to find ways to find balance with your wellbeing in the busy city of Manchester.
After long lockdowns and lots of time spent indoors with the pandemic, people are far more aware of their wellbeing and mental health than they were before.
This awareness means there is now plenty of opportunity to take advantage of the wellness benefits Manchester has to offer, so you can give your body and mind a wellness boost in 2022.
Below we've listed the four ways which can help give your wellbeing a lift to start the year on a high.
Spa days and breaks
With Google searches for overnight spa breaks up by 250% in the last year, it is safe to say that there is an appetite for a spa day.
Many are far more aware of self care following the pandemic, and spas offer relaxing treatments, human touch and thermal experiences that are proven to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Manchester has plenty of spas on its doorstep, with Rena Spa at the Midland being a private city hideaway steeped in luxury where relaxation is taken seriously, and stress immediately melts away.
Rena Spa at the Midland provides an opulent urban space for guests to renew and rejuvenate the body and mind.
From the sleep chambers to the heated relaxation pool, and the steam room to the hanging pod cocoons, guests can expect a beautiful, surprisingly tranquil space in the bustling city of Manchester.
All spa days include a 50 minute treatment, a glass of champagne, a light lunch or afternoon tea and a £10 voucher to spend on spa products, so why not try a luxurious treatment?
The treatments include the Caudalie Deep tissue massage which instigates a greater tension relieving response than a classic massage by concentrating on posterior (deeper) muscles.
It uses a mix of classic massage strokes, with increased pressure, typically following the muscle from insertion to origin.
The aim is to reduce muscle tension by releasing knots and restoring elasticity. Deep tissue massage is also designed to increase blood flow to targeted muscles, kick-starting the body’s natural healing process.
Find out more about spa days at Rena Spa at the Midland which start from £99.
If you're on a budget you can check out other spa breaks in the city from as little as £69 via Booking.com. Wowcher also have 70% off spa breaks too.
Manchester Green Trail Maps
The Manchester Green Trail is a walking circuit made up of 14 routes connecting many of the beautiful green spaces, public parks and tree-lined streets around the city.
The trail is a collaboration between Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Manchester and Salford Ramblers.
The aim of the Manchester Green Trail is to create a high-quality walking route across the City of Manchester through its parks and open spaces to help encourage Manchester residents to spend more time outdoors and amongst nature, and therefore promoting a healthy lifestyle.
There are 14 maps in total, so there are plenty of routes to choose from, and they can all be downloaded for free.
Download them here.
Wellness events
Why not join others who are also looking to improve their wellbeing at one of the many wellness events coming to Manchester in 2022?
With plenty on the agenda already such as an Astro Wellness Workshop in January and the Ki Retreat Rebalance Wellness Festival in March, there is always something new to try and experiment with when it comes to wellness.
Go on your own to make new friends or take a partner and enter into a space where you can really be at one with yourself.
Wild swimming
Whilst you wouldn’t think of Manchester as a wild swimming hot spot, there are plenty of places residents can go to get a hit of freshwater wellbeing.
There are beaches a short drive away as well as access to the Yorkshire hot spots, there is also a wild swimming hot spot at the ‘Not so Secret Lake’ at Levenshulme was a community project that locals spent eight years to complete to get it swim-ready.
Despite sitting just behind a large industrial estate, the water appears like a mirage when you round the corner to it.
It's a haven for local wildlife too, with locals often spotting voles, kingfishers, swans, bright green parakeets and plenty of wildflowers.
If you’d rather something a little less wild, USwim holds open water swimming sessions in Salford Quays making it a great place for entry level wild swimmers to congregate.
Wild swimming has been proven to less muscle soreness, reduce pain and inflammation, boost your immune system, improve circulation and boost brain power.
Please note that swimming in open water carries risks so always go with a professional instructor or a group.
