“Wellness” is having a moment. With all the advances in technology, you’d think we’d feel better than ever. But in many ways, it seems like the opposite is happening.
Recently, my husband, Matt, and I had the incredible opportunity to join Backroads’ Vietnam and Cambodia Biking Trip. We came home from our trip feeling rejuvenated, accomplished and connected in ways I haven’t felt in a long time, and that got me thinking a lot about the wellness “fad.” It’s popping up everywhere these days, and everyone seems to have a different interpretation of what it is, and how to get it. Most often, I’m seeing “wellness” positioned as superficial quick hits: expensive self-care products, trendy and one-size-fits-all fitness fads, surface-level digital detoxes, and lots of mentions of (and sometimes, empty promises of) “mindfulness.”
This was our first big getaway since becoming parents to our one-year-old son, Teddy. A trip that wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of Birdie and Grandpa (thank you!). As new-ish parents, our version of wellness and taking care of ourselves has evolved quite a bit, and often taken a back seat, as we’ve navigated the balance between parenthood and full-time careers over the last year.
Reflecting on our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, it wasn’t just the beautiful bike rides or the luxurious hotels that contributed to the ultimate recharge. Backroads is holistic wellness in action. It’s movement that feels good, not forced. It’s pushing yourself, but at your own pace. It’s fresh air, open space and time away from screens. It’s stepping into a new place and experiencing it with all your senses. It’s winding along back roads you’d never find on your own, languages you don’t understand, local flavors, people and moments you won’t easily forget.
Maybe most of all, it’s the element of connection. Countless exchanges with the locals around you, fellow guests, trip leaders and local guides all contribute to the magic. In a world where robots are doing more, meaningful human interaction is happening less, and loneliness is on the rise, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that connection is at the root of well-being. No matter the Backroads trip, shared experiences and coming together with others in a way that feels natural and fulfilling is at the heart of what we do.
At a different time in my life, a week of sit-on-the-beach-and-do-nothing lounging would have sufficed. Today, if I’m going to take a week away from Teddy, you better believe my priority is maximizing every single moment with adventures I’ll never forget.
Unlike a piece of technology or a screen, the real world is imperfect, unpredictable and full of surprises. Experiencing it firsthand—powered by your own movement, with fellow travelers by your side—makes you feel more alive. That, to me, is true wellness.
