The first thing Men’s Health editor in chief Rich Dorment wants you to know is that a restorative vacation will never look the same for any two people. For some, it could be about breaking from daily tech habits and getting into nature. For others, it might revolve around indulging every craving and trying a new workout routine.
“There’s this idea that you have to go on a spa weekend or a meditation retreat—and that would drive some people crazy,” Rich says. “The best meditative flow states don’t always come from deep breathing. They can come from cliff diving, personal watercraft (PWC)—whatever helps you escape.”
On a recent trip to the island of Bermuda with two friends—prominent mental-health figures Drew Ramsay, MD, and Kier Gaines, Rich reflected on his everyday life as a magazine magnate (our words, not his), husband, and father. He also tested his own advice, considering what factors can turn a regular trip into a remarkable one. The tips below are meant to inspire, and can be adapted to suit your needs. (Though we must say, we do highly recommend Bermuda.)
Ideally, you’ll have an itinerary.
When you make decisions all day long, removing that action from your moment-to-moment routine can feel like a much-needed breath of fresh air. “I’m often searching on the internet like, ‘What should I do?’—so having that set itinerary and making a lot of those decisions ahead of time is amazing,” Rich says. Having a variety of activities is also key, “so you’re not in one mental state throughout the day. You can have moments of high adrenaline and then of endorphin releases, for example.”
Over the course of a weekend in Bermuda, the friends’ schedule featured a variety of activities. They practiced meditation and yoga with Treehouse, had a private rum tasting and tour with Gosling’s Bar, and rode PWCs around hidden coves and shipwrecks, among other adventures.
Stay in the present—but not on the resort.
This allows Rich to appreciate the different elements of a location. One that stood out the most for him: the Bermudian people. “There’s this sense of joy throughout the island,” he says, adding that the best way to experience it is to go out and explore.
“A lot of people, myself included, tend to go to a more tropical location and just check into a resort and stay there. But in a place like Bermuda, you really want to experience the culture and the richness of the restaurants across the island.”
There’s a generosity and a graciousness, he says, that you need to look up from your phone to find.
Listen to your body.
“There’s a whole school of thought as to whether or not you should work out on vacation,” Rich says. “I do it because it makes me feel better and recharges me for the day.” Instead of how he usually works out (sneaking in half-hour sessions between meetings), Rich found himself leisurely enjoying the gym at the Rosewood Hotel: a key factor in his well-being. Others might not want to work out at all, or can switch things up by working their surroundings into their routine (e.g., a run on the pink-sand beaches or a round of golf).
Similarly, Rich doesn’t see vacation as an excuse to eat like crazy—more as an opportunity to capitalize on the incredible food available. “At home I’m often just grabbing whatever I can or finishing the kids’ leftovers,” he says between sips of a protein shake, “so I do try to eat as healthily as I can on vacation because it’s available and so good.”
But the heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes, that’s a fried fish sandwich on raisin bread and a Rum Swizzle. Because some of this island paradise’s allures are irresistible—even to our editor in chief.
Discover your wellness weekend at gotobermuda.com.
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