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NDTV
21-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
7 Best Wellness Retreats In India To Heal Your Soul
In today's fast-paced world, where self-care is a luxury, prioritizing health has become more important than ever. If you also crave serenity wrapped in the warm blanket of luxury, you should visit a retreat that offers a program that helps you rejuvenate. If pristine air, tranquil surroundings, and a range of therapeutic spa treatments are what you need to reset your health and reconnect with yourself, these 7 wellness retreats are for you. 1. Atmantan Wellness Resort, Pune Where: Pune View this post on Instagram A post shared by Atmantan Wellness Centre (@atmantan) Perched atop Sahyadri Hills near Mulshi Lake in Pune, Atmantan Wellness Resort is a luxurious sanctuary that blends holistic healing with modern comfort. Atmantan is a concoction of three words: "atma" and soul, "mana" meaning mind, and "tann" meaning body. Staying true to the name, this wellness retreat spans 42 acres and offers breathtaking views of the unique crystal hill and the pristine lake while helping you relax. This retreat offers customized wellness programs, including weight management, detoxification, Ayurveda, physiotherapy, yoga, and meditation. Certified doctors, nutritionists, and fitness experts are available to address both physical and emotional issues. The resort also offers organic cuisine, which is tailored to individual health plans, ensuring that you are nourished from within. 2. Ananda Himalayas, Uttarakhand Where: Uttarakhand View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananda in the Himalayas (@anandainthehimalayas) Nestled in Rishikesh, this premier luxury wellness retreat is known for its seamless integration of traditional Ayurvedic practices with yoga, meditation, and Vedanta, Ananda offers transformative experiences. This exotic resort resides in the former Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal and sprawls across 100 acres. Offering transformative experiences, this retreat provides comprehensive wellness programs, such as stress management, weight loss, and spiritual awakening. This is an award-winning spa that includes 80 therapies inspired by both Indian and international traditions. The serene setting, organic cuisine, and personalized approach to holistic health are a perfect place that can help you nurture your body, mind, and spirit. 3. SOUKYA Holistic Health Centre, Karnataka Where: Karnataka View this post on Instagram A post shared by SOUKYA Holistic Health Centre (@soukyaholistichealthcentre) Founded by Dr Issac Mathai, SOUKYA is an international holistic health center located on the outskirts of the Garden City, Bangalore. This first-of-its-kind healing sanctuary spans 30 acres, integrating natural systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, and yoga. This resort offers tailored wellness plans focused on prevention, rejuvenation, and healing chronic conditions. With a lush green campus, organic gardens, and water features, SOUKYA Holistic Health Centre offers a tranquil environment for healing. High-profile guests, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, have sought wellness at Soukya, attesting to its global reputation for excellence in holistic healing. Tariffs start from* Rs 3,31,448 4. Six Senses Vana, Dehradun View this post on Instagram A post shared by Six Senses Vana (@sixsensesvana) If you want to feel, think, and be better, Six Senses Vana is a contemporary ashram nestled in a forested estate near Dehradun. Integrating traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Sowa-Rigpa (Tibetan medicine), and yoga, this retreat is a wellness pathway for stress relief, detox, sleep improvement, and mental clarity. Guests get a full-board accommodation with all meals provided and prepared with guided nutrition. The retreat can be a transformative escape for those seeking spiritual and physical recalibration in the lap of nature. Tariffs start from* Rs 80,414 5. The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, Chandigarh Where: Chandigarh View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Oberoi Sukhvilas (@theoberoisukhvilas) Situated in the Siswan Forest Range near Chandigarh, The Oberoi Sukhvilas is a royal wellness retreat offering world-class luxury and therapeutic healing. Against a backdrop of the 3,23,74,851 Square Metres of Siswan Forest Range and the foothills of the Himalayas, this retreat offers you an escape from the hustle and bustle of life. The crown jewel of the resort is its spa, which features Ayurveda, Eastern and Western therapies, hydrotherapy, and hammams. Surrounded by 8,000 acres of forest, the setting exudes tranquility and grandeur. The wellness experiences of the retreat include Oga sessions, guided meditation, forest bathing, and tailored meal plans. From de-stressing to indulgent rejuvenation, Sukhvilas can help you get some "me" time. Tariffs start from* Rs 47,605 6. Ayurshala Immersion At Amanbagh View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanbagh (@amanbagh) Located in the royal heartland of Rajasthan, Amanbagh's Ayurshala Centre is a hidden gem for those looking for authentic Ayurvedic healing in a palatial setting. From Panchakarma to herbal remedies, this retreat offers personalized wellness journeys specially designed by Ayurvedic physicians. Some of the daily practices include abhyanga (oil massage), shirodhara, yoga, and meditation. With the peaceful Aravalli Hills backdrop and Mughal-style architecture, this retreat creates an atmosphere of serenity and grandeur. The meals are locally sourced, sattvic, and tailored to individual doshas. So, it is perfect for travelers who wish to get Ayurvedic treatment in luxurious comfort. 7. Dharana Wellness Retreat, Maharashtra Where: Maharashtra View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dharana at Shillim (@dharanaatshillim) An award-winning retreat, Dharana Wellness Retreat is located within the Shillim Estate in Maharashtra. It is a science-backed wellness destination that promotes sustainable living and preventive health. Rooted in the principles of Dharana, meaning concentration and awareness, the retreat focuses on boosting mental well-being, helping a person detox and prevent chronic illnesses. Treatment is personalised, which could include a combination of yoga, naturopathy, Ayurveda, and fitness plans. The eco-friendly villas are set amidst a setting of beautiful forests and mountains, amplifying the retreat's healing energy. This holistic haven for guests offers nutritional cuisine, mindfulness practices, and a state-of-the-art spa that promotes deep-rooted healing and conscious living.
Mint
06-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
To boost your mood, treat your brain to good food. Here's why
We've long known that food can offer us comfort—a bowl of soup on a sick day, chocolate after a heartbreak, an ice cream shared in silence can do wonders. But have you ever wondered if that 'sense of comfort' the food offered was deeper than nostalgia or craving? What if the food we eat is quietly recalibrating the brain itself... shaping our moods, sharpening or dulling our emotional edges, and tipping the scales between calm and chaos? Modern science is affirming what many have intuitively sensed: our guts and our minds are in constant, biochemical conversation. And as the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry reveals what's on our plate doesn't just affect our waistlines, it shapes our sense of joy, resilience, and clarity. According to a 2022 study published by Springer Nature, Associations of Neurotransmitters and the Gut Microbiome with Emotional Distress in Mixed Type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome , serotonin—one of the brain's key mood regulators—is predominantly produced in the gut. 'More than 90 percent of the body's serotonin is synthesized in the gastrointestinal tract," the report notes, reinforcing the intimate, biological bond between our emotional state and our digestive health. The conversation between gut and brain extends even further. A 2025 article in npj Mental Health Research, headlined Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects , reveals that individuals with certain psychological traits—particularly those who are more risk-averse— experience a notable reduction in negative mood when taking probiotics. 'In the future," the authors note, 'probiotics may potentially be targeted to individuals to reduce the risk of clinical onset of mental health conditions." Emerging research now points to dietary fiber and fermented foods as among the most powerful modulators of gut-brain health. 'Prebiotic fibers found in bananas, onions, and asparagus serve as fuel for beneficial gut bacteria," Nikhil Kapur, founder and director of Atmantan Wellness Centre, explains. 'Meanwhile, fermented foods like kimchi and kefir introduce probiotics—microorganisms that can influence neurotransmitter production and even reduce anxiety." What Kapur is saying isn't esoteric wellness jargon; it's backed by science. About 90% of serotonin—the so-called 'feel good" neurotransmitter—is produced in the gut. But this serotonin production relies heavily on dietary inputs like tryptophan, an amino acid, Kapur notes. 'A diet lacking these building blocks will invariably affect mood." The gut microbiome, a teeming ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms, also produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), our body's natural tranquilizer. When this microbial balance is disrupted—a condition called dysbiosis—it can trigger inflammation, impair neurotransmitter production, and derail emotional stability. Despite mounting evidence, many people continue to view diet and mental health as unrelated. 'One common misconception is that mental health is purely psychological or neurological, with no bearing on nutrition," Kapur notes adding, 'But this ignores the gut's role in everything from neurotransmitter production to inflammation regulation." Dr Astik Joshi, a New Delhi-based child and adolescent psychiatrist, concurs: 'While the evidence base linking specific diets to mood disorders isn't yet universally established, there is strong clinical consensus that diets lacking essential micronutrients—like B-vitamins, iron, or zinc—can increase one's likelihood of developing mental health issues." Another misconception is the dismissal of emotional eating as a mere lack of willpower. 'The microbiome influences our cravings," says Kapur. 'When gut health is compromised, it can set off a vicious cycle of craving more unhealthy foods, which further destabilize mood." While the connection between food and mood is rather evident, it's necessary to note that nutritional psychiatry isn't meant to replace traditional treatments. Rather, it complements them, offering dietary interventions that support emotional well-being. Dr Purnima Nagaraja, a consulting psychotherapist at Dhrithi Wellness Clinic in Hyderabad, has long integrated nutrition into her practice. Our first line of intervention is often dietary, she says. 'We make adjustments to restore balance, especially in strict vegetarian diets. Since plant-based sources of B12 are limited, we turn to fortified foods or consider supplements when necessary." Protein intake is another focal point. Since vegetarian diets can be overly carbohydrate-heavy, Nagaraja encourages the inclusion of more protein through milk, curd, and paneer. 'These foods not only provide protein but also act as natural probiotics. We've seen fermented foods alleviate symptoms of anxiety and, in some cases, support children on the autism spectrum," she explains. And then there's water—often the most overlooked yet essential nutrient. Even mild dehydration (just a 1–2% fluid loss) can manifest as fatigue, irritability, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Hydration, experts say, is crucial to biochemical and hormonal balance in the brain. 'I emphasize the importance of nutrition with every patient, even if I have just a minute during a busy outpatient day," says Dr. Charan Teja Koganti, neuro-psychiatrist at KIMS Hospital. And water, he says, is always part of that conversation. 'I often tell my patients, 'How did you reach the hospital—by car? And can a car run without fuel?' The brain is the same. It cannot function optimally without its fuel: water, glucose, and oxygen." Often, when we're under stress, we mistake thirst for hunger. Dr. Koganti explains, 'This confusion arises because the neural signals for both thirst and appetite originate from the same region of the brain—the hypothalamus. As a result, we may end up eating when our body is simply asking for water." The biological pathways connecting poor diets to mental health issues are complex but increasingly well understood. Chronic inflammation—often fueled by ultra-processed foods—disrupts neuronal signaling and hinders the brain's ability to form new synaptic connections. 'Ultra-processed foods, high in sugar and additives, can cause wild fluctuations in blood glucose levels," says Kapur. 'These crashes impair decision-making, concentration, and trigger mood swings." The stress axis of the body—the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis—is also sensitive to nutritional status. Dysbiosis and poor diets can throw this axis off balance, resulting in erratic cortisol levels associated with anxiety and depression. Two important factors implicated in nutritional psychiatry are oxidative stress and inflammation, explains Koganti. 'Any diet that is pro-inflammatory can worsen mental health conditions, especially in a vulnerable population. These include processed foods, fried foods, sugars, sugary beverages, red meat, and refined carbohydrates. On the other hand, a diet richwith anti-inflammatory foods helps with your mood, cognition, and behaviour. These include turmeric, ginger, garlic, brightly-coloured fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats," he adds. Looking ahead, experts worry that the ubiquity of processed foods and irregular eating habits could reshape not only our physical health, but our emotional resilience. Joshi sees an urgent need for psychiatry to evolve. 'Traditional psychiatry focuses on pharmacological solutions but we cannot ignore the critical role of diet in both prevention and recovery." As the science of nutritional psychiatry gains traction, it offers a powerful lens for rethinking wellness. Parallelly, it also demands a more holistic view of mental healthcare—one that bridges therapy, medication, and yes, the dinner. Tanisha Saxena is a Delhi-based independent journalist. She writes stories that are on the intersection of art, culture and lifestyle.
