M
any Hong Kong
families, who grapple
with pollution,
gruelling schedules
and the perpetual buzz of city-living,
are looking for a holiday that offers
opportunities to unwind – places
where the kids can play freely while
the parents relax close by. And many
are also looking for holidays that allow
them to balance their parenting and
family fun with personal growth and
finding a sense of purpose. A health-
focused wellness-resort holiday might
fit the parents’ bill – but will it work
for the children?
Psychologist Dr Tara Levinson
says, “Children model their
behaviours, both positive and
negative, from the adults in their
worlds. Watching their parents try
new things, change behaviours that
are not so healthy, and work on being
in the moment are wonderful messages
for children to see. It is not so much
our words that children follow, but our
behaviours and actions. Thus, parents
can start teaching healthy lifestyle
choices to their children at a young
age.”
Tara says for some families,
heading to health spas or on holidays
that involve specific wellness choices
may be about getting more quality
time together, while for others it
may be about establishing healthier
relationships with food and stress.
“This environment does foster
communication and connection,
which are keys to healthy family
dynamics.” Seeking new pleasures
on holidays – such as the annual
skiing excursion, mountain walking,
or simply engaging in tennis or
swimming – can strengthen a family’s
bond.
Escape to wellness
And this seems to be exactly the kind
of holiday The Farm at San Benito
) is
trying to create. Set on a former
coconut plantation in the Philippines,
The Farm is a luxury resort which
Do you crave a health-
focused holiday, but
don’t want to leave
your family at home?
Ingrid Keneally
took a
trip to The Farm in
the Philippines to find
out if kids and spa
breaks can ever mix.
Healthy
Holidays
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Playtimes
