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.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
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Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
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7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Honeymoonish
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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