Here’s a controversial thought: cities can be places of healing and rejuvenation.

With the right living space and a thoughtful approach to time, the diversity and dynamism of urban environments can recharge our batteries and gift us the much needed reset.

But first, why not go on a “normal” vacation to sip colorful drinks under some palm trees?

Because often the reason we need a vacation in the first place is to quiet and declutter our minds, heal our bodies and souls, and reconnect with ourselves.

We think we crave a distraction but what we actually crave is release, and one way to achieve it is through art, culture, music, and knowledge, supported by a living space that takes care of the deepest needs of our bodies-minds-souls.

Typical vacation spots lack those – I know, I live in one! As breathtaking as the views are, our “hedonic treadmill” normalizes the beauty of the landscape pretty quickly and after a few days, the magic is gone. What happens then is we end up schlepping up and down the main drag checking out the touristy shops, spending less and less time at the beach (which is anyway crowded) and going back on auto-pilot of existing halfway there, halfway inside our heads, and halfway in the life back home through our social media feeds (I know it’s three “halfs,” just go with me here 😉

Spending time in a city, particularly alone, has the potential to bring our awareness back to ourselves while the culture and art/music scene of a new place, often country, ignite our creative force, allowing the brain to make new connections and organically surface ideas, solutions, and offer new ways of thinking.

 

Drawing inspiration from the flow of life, the color palette, the architecture, the design of shops, restaurants, hotels, coworks… menus, signs, public spaces, galleries, events… traditional and new, posh and working class …is oxygen for the soul, rewiring our brain, inspiring to try new approaches and ways of being.

Joining local meetups and spontaneously interacting with locals is a great way to expand our consciousness, get ideas flowing, make new connections, and grow personally and professionally.

Culture is a rich tapestry of collective knowledge and ways of doing and being unique to a place, woven by generations of people through storytelling, building, thinking, co-creating. It’s essential to deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, to taking us to that next level of creativity and thinking.

But let’s not forget one small thing: cities are busy, noisy, and full of concrete. How can they possible feel like vacations?

Picking the right accommodation is key.

The biggest mistake we make is thinking we’ll only be there to sleep. Spending all our time sightseeing or out and about depletes energy, leaving us empty and exhausted. So, get a place where you feel good enough to spend a full day in to recharge, get work done, and reconnect with yourself between adventures.

Another must-have for accommodation are the common areas.

  • Look for a place with a nice lobby or communal spaces where you can hang out with a book and watch life go by, cafes, rooftop bars, cabanas.
  • And Biophilia, in particular plants and WATER – gardens, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi – are deeply healing and rejuvenating.

 

How do you know whether the place you’re about to book will support all your needs?

Between the unit and the common areas, your accommodation needs to provide you with the following non-negotiables:

  • Light:
    • Ample natural light, particularly morning light in the bedroom(s)
    • Optimized artificial light with controls for high and low energy
  • Temperature regulation (AC/heating)
  • Un-cluttered (storage solutions, lack of unnecessary decoration)
  • Sound isolation
  • Sleep optimized (mattress, shades)
  • On-site fitness
  • Outdoor spaces
  • Fast and reliable Wifi
  • In-room / unit workspaces
  • Ergonomic furniture
  • Biophilic design
  • Access to green spaces
  • Spaces designed for privacy or connection
  • Access to fresh food
  • Transportation

 

These are some of the pillars of the THRIVE SPACES framework I designed through the process of building AOMA Coliving and Coworking – an eco-positive space in Europe’s top surf destination, Ericeira.

AOMA

Feel free to use these parameters when booking your next vacation and please share your feedback as you do so and reach out with questions – my inbox is open!