Launch me into the sun

How four days in Florida cured me

As a health writer, I’m lucky to get invited to events that often involve a workout, meditation, or other forms of relaxation, like a dance party at a spa. Without the personal resources to access these types of excursions on the reg, I don’t take these opportunities lightly. Because not only do I write about these things for work, but I also work hard to be as healthy and health-conscious as possible in my own life. So I throw myself into each event, letting the meditation leader’s words sink into my brain or toughing out a 30-second cold plunge.

But while these wellness experiences are unique and refreshing, their effects have ultimately been fleeting. Once an event is done, I’m spit back out onto the New York City sidewalk and into the real world. One minute I’m opening my chakras, and the next I’m dodging unclaimed dog poop and ignoring catcalls. The hustle and bustle of the city requires my brain to constantly be on, which doesn’t allow my occasional two hours of wellness to take hold.

I didn’t realize I wasn’t fully benefiting from these events until I came home after a four-day wellness trip—and felt rejuvenated. Essentially, a month ago, nine other health writers/editors and myself were treated to a full slate of activities by Cercone Brown Company, a marketing agency that represents health and wellness brands, and by several brands themselves (more on those below). I went through an instructor-led workout and meditation every day, and I got to bask in the sun and release my inhibitions. If that’s not a recipe for lasting wellness, I don’t know what is.

To set the scene: home base for my four blissed-out days was the Sea Oats Estate on Captiva Island, Florida, which includes a tennis court, saltwater pool, a fire pit, and backyard access to the Roosevelt Channel and the mangroves of the Buck Key Preserve. Pool and beach access? My flight is BOOKED. Plus, all meals were catered and the house’s two massive refrigerators were constantly stocked with Premier Protein shakes, Olipop sodas, Lone River seltzers, and lots more.

The pool and beach in question.

We hit the ground running dancing on our first day with a KINRGY class, a dance-cum-meditation-cum-grounding exercise, sponsored by Icelandic Glacial Water, which I appreciate for its internationally high quality standards and lack of PFAs and microplastics. For our class, our instructor led us through a lot of free-flowing movements and deep squats inspired by earth, water, fire, and air. She encouraged us to really let loose, not just with our movements, but with our vocalizations and facial expressions, too. At one point, I smiled because I was having fun doing some movement, and she yelled, “Yes!! I see that smile!” On the other hand, no one was really doing anything louder than some heavy breathing as we chasséd across the lawn. Maybe it was because most of us had only just met each other hours previously. But we did let out a “woo!” or two when the instructor told us to.

This class was the first moment that I set an intention for myself to be more open during this trip, to not worry what I might look like to the other girlies while participating in the various activations planned for us. I was doing this for me and my body (and for future health pitches, of course).

The next day began with 8am beachside yoga on the lawn, the sun salutation feeling especially appropriate as we stretched and basked. At some point, a dolphin’s fin popped out of the water in front of us, and we saluted him, too. Throughout the class, I took care to breathe deeply, letting go of the knowledge that it would puff out my belly and “look bad.” The breathing was for me, and no one else. The movement of my body was for me and nothing else.

Iguana doing beachside yoga, too.

Later, we paddleboarded out on the channel after a very thorough lesson from a local named Captain John. When I was a kid, I loved going kayaking with my dad every so often, and I was excited to get back out on the water. I was a little worried since a paddleboard would require more balance and strength (I think) than a kayak. But I stood up on the board without issue and didn’t even fall once! I was movin’ and groovin’, feeling strong and confident the whole way.

I felt so great, in fact, that I was barely self-conscious in a bikini that I almost hadn’t packed for fear of feeling too ugly and too exposed in it. But the sun was out, and I was more afraid of an uneven tan from our rash guards than I was of looking like a hairy potato in a bikini. So I pranced around in that bikini long enough to get a sick tan and to not realize that I probably should have changed before sitting down for lunch with representatives from Zespri, which provided plenty of insanely delicious Zespri kiwis for a very kiwi-forward lunch. As I chatted with a Kiwi kiwi grower¹, I swore to myself that I would remember to wear real clothes for all meals moving forward.

After lunch, I tanned some more and then really did change into a proper outfit for a soundbath with the founder of Nodpod. Nodpod’s initial product, which I’ve had and loved for a couple years now, is a weighted eye mask that has lulled me to sleep in minutes flat. Nodpod now also offers a small weighted blanket, citing research that a full-body blanket isn’t necessary for the calming effects that deep touch pressure therapy can provide. Also, a smaller blanket can benefit folks who may feel overwhelmed or trapped with a full-size blanket. Armed with the mask and blanket, I let the sound bath wash over and through me—the higher-pitched chimes, the deep gong, and everything in between. At one point I found myself jolting back awake, not realizing I had fallen asleep although I should have known I would with a Nodpod.

By our third day, I could feel the soreness in my legs from our KINRGY class—just in time for an 8:30am boot camp class sponsored by Amazfit, which makes wearable fitness trackers. We wore their Active 2 watches in order to monitor our heart rate during this workout; I loved the feeling of their alternate silicone sport band, but regrettably failed to get the watch working before the workout. Our boot camp instructor, meanwhile, was a woman a couple decades older than me and was the most jacked person I have seen in my life. She kicked all of our asses, moving with speed and agility that I couldn’t imagine mustering at that hour in 90 degree heat. But she did it and all while being an amazing, motivational instructor. Still, this class was the only time I felt a little iffy about the intention I had set on my first day; I followed the workout to the best of my ability, but I was quite conscious about how I might look or be thought of while I huffed through it. Do I look weak for doing pushups on my knees? Is anyone else this sweaty?? Does it even look like I have a personal trainer at all???

The lapse was fleeting, however, as I quickly forgot my hesitations and highly specific insecurities over breakfast. A few hours later, we were back on the tennis court, but this time for some pickleball, sponsored by Vital Farms—you know, the chic-ly branded eggs and butter—and my body insecurities were nowhere to be heard. I hadn’t even thought to play pickleball before, not being part of its target demographic, but I was out there lunging and running and backhanding in no time. I hate to say it, but I am now a pickler. I had an absolute blast (even though my partner and I lost) running around the court in the sun, and can’t wait to pickle another day. I even got a fabulous paddle with an eggs and butter print to take home with me.

By the end of our pickling, I was dripping sweat. But I didn’t mind. For once, I embraced it. I had had fun doing something athletic, which I am not known for, and my body had felt good while doing it! Maybe more than that: I felt good in my body, which I am also not known for.

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Photo by the wonderful @someshellyphotography

Our final activation was a morning ice bath with Berkeley Life, a company that aims to ensure you’re at healthy levels of nitric oxide (a gaseous compound that aids in blood flow) through frequent at-home saliva testing and supplement capsules. For someone who can’t even take a cold shower, I wasn’t even worried about dunking my whole body in ice water until the moment right before my foot touched the water—and only then because the girl next to me started lowkey freaking out. I took one deep breath and remembered that I was here for myself. I would do this ice bath and it would be fine! I plopped myself in and concentrated only on the breaths in and out of my nose as we were instructed and on the ice bath guy’s voice. (I’m sorry I don’t know his name or title, but he’s the one who set up the individual inflatable pools for us.)

Me looking so relaxed, captured by @someshellyphotography

After that was breakfast, lounging, and goodbyes. By this point, I was zenned out. I didn’t even panic when, on our way to the airport, I realized Delta had put me on the standby list². I knew it would work out fine whether I got on that flight or a later one, despite all the standby list horror stories. I ended up getting on that flight (after calmly speaking to two different desk agents), and I remained chill while on the plane, trekking miles through LaGuardia airport, waiting for my Lyft, and the entire drive home. When I got home at 11:45pm, I unpacked my toiletries, showered, and went straight to bed, all without a single moment of angst (which is almost unheard of for me).

For the next few days, I kept up my diet of smoothies (thanks to a gifted KitchenAid Go Personal Blender), adequate protein, and veggies, and gave a bagged salad mix a try for lunch (I’m working on it, Fresh Express!). I dove back into my regularly scheduled workouts. Mentally, I felt lighter (would love to feel physically lighter ha ha…). Even Derek noticed. “I guess we need to send you somewhere sunny every few months to keep your mental health up,” he said. Ever the joker, he was serious this time. Spending four days in the sun and having healthy food at my disposal had really done a number on me in the best way.

Perhaps the only reason we haven’t yet launched me onto an island once a quarter—and maybe never will—is that it is not cheap to do so. This trip was relaxing, yes, but it also didn’t cost me a dime. Money is a huge and often prohibitive part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for many people. I myself don’t necessarily know how long this healthy streak of mine can last. The four days certainly built a healthy habit for me, both consciously and unconsciously in that my body kept craving movement and fresh foods. But it was also easier in Florida when all I had to do was follow a set schedule packed with healthy things; at home, my schedule can only look like that if I make it that way. Plus, there is no caterer in sight, no matter how often I make my husband cook. But I’m working on it! I’m finding that middle ground that will keep me healthy and happy.

1. This means exactly what you think it means.

2. JetBlue has never done me dirty like this.