To address distress we review first who, what and where we are …
Stress is the discomfort we experience in our response to difficult or challenging circumstances, where the difficulty or challenge is not easily overcome and persists over a period of time.
Stress can be physically and emotionally debilitating.
Stress, or a demand of some sort, is a pre-requisite to elicit a response from us to engage with our environment. Hunger stimulates us to source and prepare food, cold stimulates us to acquire clothing and shelter. Most of us, with some discipline and training, and where resources are reasonably available, have the capabilities to respond to “normal” stresses.
As humans, we engage with the stresses with which we are faced at an individual level and collectively. To engage collectively requires communication and shared understanding.
Newly emerging stresses, such as climate change and a sharp reversal in the economy, require that we articulate a new collective understanding and pattern for action.
These current stresses only compound the already existing stresses from a period of increased capitalising, globalising, urbanising and technologising of our societies to which we have hardly begun to adapt socially.
No wonder we are awash with stress.
Such endemic stress requires a fundamental reassessment of our goals as social human beings and our behaviours and activities towards achieving them.
We are prompted to re-examine our nature and the nature of our circumstances.
We are individuals. We live for a short time. We are members of a population with a collective social history, and a future that will likely continue after we have died. We are biological and live in a biological ecosystem. We are comprised of chemical elements that are common to the universe around us, and behave in accordance with common chemical and physical laws.
Our concerns are primarily for our personal wellbeing and for the wellbeing of our offspring. To support our personal and family wellbeing we engage in social co-operation, given that our individual wellbeing is supported by that of our community and society. Our commitment to social and environmental wellbeing tends not to extend beyond the extent to which we obtain personal benefit. There is at a minimum indifference to the welfare of people and environment beyond the sphere that benefits us directly, and at worst cruel exploitation.
Begging a fundamental question … is this really how our own nature is most fully realised and satisfied?
Our behaviour tends to be heavily influenced by prevailing trends, to the extent that we forfeit thinking and acting consciously. While the trend delivers immediate needs we do not question its deeper value or terminal consequences.
Our most recent social and economic trend having dissipated in an exponential expansion that lacked real foundation we are prompted to think anew.
Ø What is our nature – individual, social, biological? – in its essence, in spirit?
Ø What are likely the most fruitful behaviours individually and socially?
Ø What is likely the most fruitful social, political and economic organisation?
At the spa we take a holistic approach to individual wellbeing, incorporating elements of natural surroundings, physical activity, diet, rest, reflection, personal interaction and socialising in our programme.
The stimulus for the spa guest in making the visit is a desire for relaxation, to efface the effects of stress. Personal wellbeing is the initial goal.
Our discovery, and that of our spa guests, is that personal wellbeing is found not only in personal but also in social behaviour, in social interaction and community. Personal wellbeing arises from being in communication with oneself, with intimates, with social groupings, with nature, with the sun, moon and stars, and with whatever it is within us or beyond us that informs our joy in being alive… spirit / god / universe / higher order / natural understanding / presence / peace / stillness / being …
Having a sense of our nature, is there a natural way of behaving to achieve our individual and collective goals. A way of being and acting that is in accordance with our nature, capitalising on our strengths and minimising physiological and emotional distress? A way of being in balance with both our essence and our circumstances?
The Temple approach
The first step of the approach taken by the spa in addressing guest stress distress, is to invite you to pause. To stop for a moment or two from everything and stand, or sit, still and, whilst resting, feel something of your own presence in your physical organisation – ie, physical or bodily sensations, and or sensations of comfort or discomfort.
This initial contact may be the beginning of an awareness of the bodily or physiological dimension to human sensitivity, and the beginning of a process that can ultimately help us moderate the physiological response through the quality of our own awareness and attention.
After that we ask you to be open to the experiences that follow during your spa visit and to whatever reactions arise from them.
Much of the spa experience – rest, movement, diet, hydration, physical therapy – has a physical dimension to it and induces a physical response.
To align the body with its physical nature we pay attention to basic physical needs
- Good Nutrition – real, wholesome, nutritious food; no junk, no contaminants
- Hydration – pure spring water; and moderating intake of beverages that are dehydrating or contain non-nutritional stimulants
- Movement – to develop strength and endurance, maintain flexibility, contribute to physiological functioning, and as a significant component of personal experience and expression
- Rest – skilful rest to allow recuperation and address rest deficit (accumulated tiredness) from inadequate rest or unskilled resting behaviours
The physical response is assisted from the contribution of the hands-on physical therapies and the spa amenities
– the spa pool, footbaths and showers (hydrotherapy)
– the sauna and steam rooms (heat & perspiration therapy
(The process may be described as detoxing.)
To align the emotions with their human and spiritual nature, the spa invites reflection and encourages social interaction. The spa therapists contribute their presence in the spa therapies. The spa environment contributes pleasing aesthetics. The whole team endeavours to provide you with an enjoyable, respectful and authentic experience.
Level of engagement
Take the experience as you find it and don’t think too much about it. This would be the best measure of its success - if the experience was delivered so seamlessly that its effect would flow naturally.
Or, if you are more ruminative, reflect on the experience, on its degree of success or failure in meeting your needs for feeling well and well cared for, and how it may – if it may – be translated to your everyday circumstances.
Ask questions, open up the dialogue.
Give your feedback.
Thank you.
Declan Fagan
Director
Temple Country Retreat & Spa
1 April 2009
