You know that routine when you're on holiday. It takes four days before you can mentally detach from work and the daily stresses of life at home, giving you two days to sigh relief before you're panicking over airport traffic again.
With this in mind, I'm slightly dubious about how much impact a solo, single-day retreat can have on my well-being. As many will relate, my brain's default setting is overrun with an auto-refilling list of things to do (spiced up with existential anxieties every so often), while my body juggles a mostly sedentary lifestyle interrupted by an intense burst of movement for 45 minutes several times a week.
Sound baths are a go-to solace each month, lifting the burden for a few hours. In the past, I've frequented week-long retreats, which have a more permanent impact on my outlook on life. Currently, dreams of a three-month soul-searching sabbatical are exactly that. So I squeeze in just one day of respite for now, checking into Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel for its Rejuvenate in a Day package, priced from Dh999.
Settling into the 'switch-off' mindset
I roll up around 5.45pm on a Friday, running late from wrapping up the working week. With my tightly scheduled relaxation due to start at precisely 6pm, I'm hurried through check-in straight to the Rayya Wellness Spa on arrival, which makes me feel a bit like a patient being rushed to an operating room.
Within minutes, my body starts reaping the rewards of a deep tissue massage, yet my mind takes a while to catch up, my own tardiness the only culprit. First lesson learnt – one needs to carve time for (at least a little bit of) space between office chair and massage bed, akin to creating a bigger surface area for greater absorption.
Knowing there's no rush back to everyday life does help, however. By the time the massage wraps up, my mental mode has switched, and I'm ready for a half-hour oxygen therapy session.
This entails a dark room, spa beds and a tube of oxygen placed beneath my nostrils in hopes of limiting stress, boosting mood and aiding concentration.
Rarely is sleep the main attraction - and herein lies the antidote I crave
The concept doesn't have me sold initially, but I do feel lighter once the time is up. By the time I'm rotating between sauna, steam and jacuzzi, I have relaxed into the experience.
It's a change of tone, but I'm chilled enough that the bright lights of Vibe restaurant and the sound of the excitable children dining alongside me don't make too much of a dent in my zen. Helping myself to an array of healthy salads (the restaurant's buffet-style dining caters to vegan, gluten-free and paleo diets), I get lost in my audiobook, without the feeling of something more “productive” to do hanging over me.
Making sleep the centrepiece
During week-long mindfulness retreats, sleeping arrangements are purposefully modest and minimal. As for hotel stays, the evening itinerary usually centres on dinner, drinks and perhaps a spot of dancing. Rarely is sleep, in its most luxurious offerings, the main attraction – and herein lies the antidote I crave.
Fully invested in a hotel room with the single purpose of relaxation, I opt for the balcony to read overlooking the sea and under the stars before partaking in the retreat's so-called sleep ritual – a hot bath accommodated with muscle-easing salts and soothing oils.
I'll confess, my phone is within reach the entire evening. Maybe I don't fully switch off, but my batteries are definitely charging. Lesson two – technology isn't inherently the assailant; sometimes, it's just the accomplice in distraction, distancing us from a quiet mind.
I fall asleep easily and wake up feeling refreshed. I'm a little disappointed to see my sleep stats look indistinguishable from any other day, but perhaps that's more proof for mind over matter.
Mindful mornings and gentle movement
Saturday morning starts with a breathwork class with the retreat's wellness trainer and fellow hotel guests. It's a simple practice, so I'm surprised at the mental stillness it brings. We move into hatha flow and break for breakfast, where I wistfully wish all mornings could begin that way.
I return for a one-to-one deep stretching session and leave feeling relaxed and open. Having vowed to add snippets of each to my morning routine, I know it won't stick beyond Wednesday, so instead focus on enjoying how I feel in the moment.
Lesson three – slow but nourishing movement deserves to be prioritised equally to fast-paced cardio and can be just as rewarding. I look into deep-stretching classes around Dubai.
After a few hours spent on the beach and swimming in the sea, I return to Rayya for the final items on my itinerary. Primed from the morning, I easily attune to the sound bath and guided meditation and feel genuinely restored when the hour is up.
Retreating to the real world
Exactly 24 hours later, I check out and head home for a relaxing evening in front of the TV, mental quiet lingering.
My microdose has had a positive impact on me beyond the in-moment rewards
By the time I log into work the following morning, saunas and sound baths are at the back of my mind, but I do note how focused I have been as the day comes to a close. Perhaps the retreat powers are operating in the background.
Front of mind, I can confirm that my microdose of retreat wellness has had a positive impact on me beyond the in-moment rewards. Several days later, the mental chatter is operating at a lower volume than before, and I still feel more limber from all the prodding and pulling.
These feelings will continue to dwindle, as will the lessons learnt, alas – but there are certainly worse things to do than seeking relaxation, even if just for one whole day.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
