Wellness is not detox: What to do after a stressful day

After a stressful day, a detox programme or an elaborate wellness routine may seem like the quickest way to reset. However, experts say long-term wellbeing depends less on temporary fixes and more on everyday habits, including adequate sleep, mindful eating, regular movement and stress management.At a panel discussion featuring Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of The Indian Hotels Company, and Irina Sharma, strategic partner at Viva Maya Medical Health Resort, experts discussed how wellness is shifting towards personalised care, preventive health and sustainable lifestyle changes.The conversation highlighted a simple idea: wellness should not be limited to a retreat or a short-term intervention. It should be something people can realistically incorporate into their daily lives.WELLNESS IS NOT ABOUT QUICK FIXESDetox programmes and restrictive diets often promise a quick reset, but they are not a substitute for sustainable health habits. Puneet Chhatwal emphasised the importance of integrated wellness, where routines and interventions are tailored to individual needs rather than followed as universal solutions. At wellness centres, doctors may help people identify suitable approaches to nutrition, physical activity and other lifestyle changes.The aim is to carry these habits beyond a retreat and into everyday life. For someone returning home after a demanding day, this could mean prioritising rest, eating balanced meals, taking time away from work and finding a relaxation routine that feels manageable.TRY A SALT BATH TO UNWINDA warm salt bath can be a simple way to create a relaxing evening ritual after a long day. Taking time away from work, dimming the lights and allowing yourself to unwind may help make the transition from a busy day to bedtime feel more comfortable.However, salt baths should be viewed as a relaxation practice, not a detox treatment. There is no need to assume that adding salt to bathwater removes toxins from the body or treats inflammation.People with sensitive or irritated skin should be cautious, as salt may cause stinging or discomfort. Keep the water comfortably warm rather than excessively hot, and stop if you experience irritation or dizziness.The larger principle is to find a calming activity that fits your needs, rather than relying on expensive treatments or complicated wellness routines.MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITYSleep is an important part of a sustainable wellness routine. After a stressful day, extending work hours, scrolling on your phone late into the night or maintaining an irregular bedtime can make it harder to establish a consistent routine.Chhatwal highlighted the importance of sleep, regular movement and breaks from work and digital devices as part of everyday wellbeing.Try setting aside time to wind down before bed. Keep your bedtime reasonably consistent, reduce unnecessary screen use in the evening and avoid turning your night-time routine into another demanding checklist.The goal is not to follow a perfect sleep schedule every day, but to build habits that are realistic enough to maintain.EAT MINDFULLY, NOT JUST HEALTHILYWellness also involves paying attention to how you eat, not just what is on your plate.Irina Sharma highlighted digestion, metabolic health and the gut-brain axis in her discussion of personalised wellness. She also emphasised chewing food thoroughly and being more attentive during meals.One practical step is to eat without distractions whenever possible. Put your phone aside, slow down and pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues.Sharma also discussed aligning meal timings with the body's natural rhythms and being mindful of heavy meals late in the evening.However, dietary needs and meal timings differ between individuals. There is no single schedule that works for everyone, and restrictive eating or fasting should not be treated as essential components of wellness.MOVE YOUR BODY AND TAKE SCREEN BREAKSAfter hours of sitting at a desk or looking at a screen, gentle movement can be a useful way to break up the day.Depending on your energy levels, this could mean taking a short walk, stretching or following your usual exercise routine. Weight training and other forms of regular physical activity can also be part of a longer-term approach to physical wellbeing.Taking breaks from digital devices is equally important when work and personal time begin to overlap.Rather than trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle after one difficult day, start with something manageable. Step away from your screen, move around or spend a few minutes doing an activity that helps you relax.Consistency matters more than attempting to do everything at once.PERSONALISE YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINEThe growing popularity of wellness has also brought an increasing number of supplements, IV drips and other treatments into the mainstream.However, a treatment being marketed as a wellness trend does not automatically make it necessary or suitable for everyone.During the discussion, Sharma raised concerns about medical interventions being offered without appropriate assessment or supervision. Prescription-based treatments should be evaluated by qualified medical professionals, taking individual needs, potential benefits and risks into account.The same principle applies to supplements, fasting and restrictive diets. What works for one person may not be appropriate for another.A sustainable wellness routine should be based on individual needs rather than social media trends or the pressure to try every new treatment.After a stressful day, wellness does not have to mean an elaborate detox, an expensive treatment or a long list of tasks.A relaxing salt bath, a consistent sleep routine, mindful eating, regular movement and time away from screens can all form part of a more manageable approach to everyday wellbeing.As the wellness industry increasingly focuses on preventive care and personalisation, the bigger question is not what you can do in a single day to reset your body, but which healthy habits you can realistically sustain over time.- Ends