In 1985, nine-year-old Sean Moeller decided that chores were overrated, homework could wait, and the world desperately needed a sanctioned day for doing absolutely nothing. His grandfather, who published a holiday calendar, thought it was a fine idea and made it official.
What began as a clever bid to avoid housework is now National Relaxation Day—a reminder to slow down that feels more urgent than ever.
These days, “relaxing” often means watching Netflix while answering three texts, liking your cousin’s vacation photos, and wondering why you’re not as relaxed as your cousin. The modern traveler is tired. Tired of notifications, of hustle, of the constant background buzz.
In a world built for acceleration, the greatest luxury might be stillness. At Nayara, we believe true stillness—and true wellness—comes when your mind, body, and spirit are cared for in harmony.
That’s the heart of holistic wellness, one of our core pillars.
Here, wellness is shaped by the forest, the desert, and the sea. Nature is not part of the experience, it is the experience.
Stillness is The New Luxury
After years of hyper-connectivity, the pendulum is swinging back. According to travel trend reports, over 70% of travelers are now seeking wellness-centered escapes. Guests are actively seeking vacations that prioritize rest and recovery over activity-packed itineraries—choosing silence over schedules, and presence over productivity.
Moreover, a growing body of research confirms what many cultures have long understood: spending time in nature has measurable effects on health and well-being. A study by the American Psycological Association demonstrates that it can reduce cortisol levels, improve sleep, strengthen immune function and enhance overall cognition.
Even short exposure matters. Just 20 minutes outdoors can shift the body’s stress response, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Natural soundscapes such as birdsong, rustling leaves, and flowing water are linked to improved mood, reduced anxiety, and better task performance.
Overwater Wellness
At Nayara Bocas del Toro, wellness starts with the absence of distractions. The resort’s location—an island with no cars, no roads, and no background noise—immediately changes your pace.
Guests don’t need to walk to a treatment room—wellness comes to them. Spa treatments can place directly on your villa’s private deck, with the Caribbean stretching out beneath you.
But water isn’t just a view here—it’s an active part of your wellness journey. Guests can step from spa to sea right from the deck of their overwater villa for a gentle swim, kayak or snorkel among coral gardens alive with tropical fish.
Opening next month, the Treehouse Spa will take the experience to new heights—literally. Suspended 50 feet above the forest canopy, its open-air treatment rooms offer both privacy and panoramic views across the treetops to the turquoise water beyond. Here, wellness is defined by presence, not performance; by quiet, not schedule.
A Rainforest that Restores
Costa Rica is a global wellness hub, exemplified by the Nicoya Peninsula—one of only five official Blue Zones in the world. Here, people often live active, healthy lives well beyond 100 years. This longevity is linked to a lifestyle rich in movement, nutrient-dense foods, strong social ties, and daily connection to nature.
Inspired by our neighbor, wellness at Nayara in Arenal is rooted in rainforest rhythms and the steady gaze of the Arenal Volcano. Mineral-rich hot springs flow naturally, warmed deep underground by volcanic heat. Their minerals relax muscles, ease joint pain, and improve circulation—while the rainforest soundtrack provides the ultimate white noise.
Holistic wellness means instructor-led yoga in an open-air pavilion overlooking the rainforest canopy, where movement is slow, intentional, and synced to the sounds of nature. Sound healing sessions blend singing bowls with the natural acoustics of the forest, melting away stress in a way no meditaiton app can hope to match.
Silence as Sanctuary
.
At Nayara Alto Atacama, wellness is quiet—real quiet. The Atacama Desert is one of the most silent places on Earth. Out here, “quiet” isn’t noise-cancelling headphones—it’s the absence of noise entirely.
Guests often start their day before sunrise, when the desert air is cool and the light soft. Morning hikes through canyons and salt flats are unhurried, with pauses to take in the scale of the landscape.
Evenings are devoted to Evenings belong to the stars. With no light pollution, the Milky Way is visible in sharp detail. Guides share both scientific insights and ancient stories connected to the constellations, turning each session into a quiet form of reflection.
Here, the absence of noise and hurry becomes restorative. Guests report sleeping more deeply, thinking more clearly, and feeling a different sense of scale—not just in the desert’s vastness, but in their own priorities.
Afterglow
Holistic wellness at Nayara is inseparable from the landscapes we call home. Here, the forest, desert, and sea aren’t just backdrops—they’re therapists and active participants in your restoration.
From the quiet rhythm of waves to the heat of volcanic springs, each moment is a reminder that the greatest form of healing happens when you step away from the noise and return to nature.
Experience holistic wellness and plan your journey today at www.nayararesorts.com
This story is part of our Pillars of Nayara blog series:
- Nayara by Night: of Moon & Stars
- Sunlit-Sustainability: Nature-Powered
- Rooted in Community: Human Touch
- Holistic Wellness, Naturally—you're here.
- The Nayara Table: Root to Reef
- Sloth: Deadly Sin to Rainforest Royalty—coming soon.
