[MM]: When did wellness become a luxury?
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Hello Reader, Hi there Fit Travel Tribe! For today's Monday Momentum, let's talk about luxury and physical health. (Bear with me through my first example as the additional ones might feel much more relatable -- I promise!!) Q: How often do you get a massage? (Especially if you're someone who is relatively active) I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately—how some things that feel like basic upkeep for one person can seem like an indulgence to another. I hope this doesn’t come across as snobby, but for me, regular sports therapy massages feel like a necessity. Not in a treat yourself kind of way, but in a keep my body functioning so I can keep doing what I love way. Granted, it’s much cheaper to get a massage in Sofia than back in New Jersey. Here, I'm paying 100 leva (about $55) for a 60 minute massage (including tip!). Back home? That same massage would easily be double or triple the price. (The cheapest I ever found was at my university, I paid the student price since I was a fitness instructor, and it was $45 for 45 minutes. And that's HELLA cheap for Central Jersey). But it got me thinking... Perhaps you prioritize:
These all support our well-being, and they all come at a cost—money, time, or both. We know the value of quality food, good sleep, and movement. But we live in a world where productivity is king, hustle culture makes rest feel lazy, and self-care can feel like an afterthought. So, what’s something you prioritize that others might see as a luxury? If "luxury" means extravagance, and "extra" means too much, are we really giving ourselves too much? Would love to hear your thoughts. Hit reply and let me know! Честита Баба Марта - meaning "Happy Baba Marta" 🇧🇬 Early March has been full of holiday celebrations here in Bulgaria! Let's start in chronological order and cover just the first THREE days!
🔷 🔷 🔷 🔷 🔷 🔷 I always aim to give you content rooted in my personal life and experiences—because, as an over-thinker and connector, I love sharing my musings. Speaking of which... I desperately needed a massage. Between teaching fitness 3 times a week and my own 5 weekly workouts, my body was overdue for some TLC. My glutes were tight, and after some awkward treadmill sprints, my left IT band was straight-up aching—even just sitting! Almost two years ago, I started treating massages like an oil change for my body—keeping things smooth and preventing breakdowns. Strength training? That’s my retirement fund—invest now, reap the benefits later. After a post-massage reset (and a very sleepy 24 hours), I feel reborn—loose, mobile, and way less sore. So, in the next two weeks, do something that hits the reset button for your body. You deserve it! Next time you'll hear from me, I'll be in the most "famous" hot air balloon location in the world....CAPPADOCIA! 🎈🎈 Lastly, I also created this code and link in case you're interested. I'll keep it at the bottom of the newsletters moving forward. Not one, but TWO new blog posts are up on my website! 🤩🤩 Let's talk about a breathtaking natural phenomenon that often gets overshadowed by the evening’s main attraction—the northern lights (see what I did there?). ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ THE MIDNIGHT SUN occurs in the summertime waaaaay up north above the Arctic Circle causing 24/7 daylight! It is honestly just....W-O-W!!! I've seen both the Aurora Borealis as well as the Midnight Sun. Personally, the Midnight Sun might be my favorite perhaps in part because it is a GUARANTEE. The Northern Lights you need to "catch" and you might miss them or they might be a little disappointing if they're not that bright. The Midnight Sun is energizing and allows you to experience even more your destination has to offer simply because you have light throughout the entire day. Plus, when the sun normally would "set," you're blessed with the golden hour sunset rays for hours and hours. Check out the blog post HERE to learn more about what causes the Midnight Sun, how long it occurs in the summer, and WHERE to go to experience it? (Okay, you already know Norway is a fantastic option!) Coming up later this month, you'll hear more about how I experienced the Midnight Sun and, actually, the origin of my company's name: Heidi Runs Abroad (Hint: It's like a half marathon, but twice as long)
Let's talk travel + running... Can you give me an example? Most def. How about running in the American Southwest for your Runcation? If you're familiar with red rock and slot canyons, you'll typically find them out in places like Moab, Utah and Page, Arizona. In my first guest post, fellow travel blogger Lucy Adventure Travel shares her experience about running some notably half marathons in this area as well as other casual routes to experience. Imagine the perfect running weather—clear skies, sunshine, and breathtaking scenery that’s a world away from your usual route. It might feel like you're on another planet! With your heart pumping and your senses fully engaged, every step becomes an adventure. 🏃♀️➡️ 🏃♀️➡️ 🏃♀️➡️ But is it really worth it to travel for a Runcation? ✈️🌍
Let's loop back to travel insurance. I know I've talked about my positive experiences with SafetyWing before. It can be a very confusing and overwhelming process especially when the answer to many questions frequently can be: "It depends." I was catching the replay of a talk on travel insurance by the famous Nomadic Matt and it got me thinking more about... Pre-existing conditions and how they interplay with travel insurance. It's not always that you're SOL. You might be able to fill out a waiver and have some coverage. If you want to travel and are concerned about any pre-existing medical conditions you experience (including mental health), be sure to spend some extra time doing research. This might be the factor you prioritize when picking out a travel insurance company. Always on my mind: More money for more travel! It's often worth a little homework for those savings 💸 If you've found this content helpful, please consider sharing this email with a friend & using these affiliate links in the future. Please note that I never make referrals unless I truly believe this product or service is actually helpful 💗 If you use my affiliate links included in the email, it is at no additional cost to YOU, but it does benefit me. It's a small "thank you" and continuous motivation for me to keep sharing this helpful content. Feel free to always respond back to this email with any thoughts and questions you might have or content you'd love to see in the future. Happy travels and healthy living, Heidi |