health & WELLNESS

It’s so important to make your health and wellbeing a priority, making time to do the little things that can lead to a good balance of your physical and mental health.   

Nurturing your BODY – beach walks, pilates, yoga or gym workouts to remain physically active, restful sleep and a balanced diet.  Along with regular health checkups with your GP.  

Calming your MIND – meditation, breathwork, and ice baths are popular on Samui, others find time in nature very relaxing.  And knowing when to reach out to a qualified therapist (online or in-person) to help manage life’s varied challenges and understand your feelings. 

Scroll down to find out more about resources available here on Koh Samui, as well as online.

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month?  It’s a great time for us all to think about mental health, talk to our friends, family and professionals about how we’re feeling, and together think about how we can be part of a community that supports mental well-being.

There are resources available to help deal with life’s challenges  – such as anxiety, stress and depression – which we’ll share below!  

Remember, you don’t have to struggle alone.

Nurturing your body

Physical activites can help you find balance with the body and the mind, and also support good health:

  • Walking – get your steps in during a beach walk, or a walk around the lake
  • Running – join one of the island’s running clubs, or 5K fun runs
  • Swimming – in the sea, or in the pool
  • Pilates  – combines the benefits of movement with breath work 
  • Yoga – gentle classes such as Yin, or more dynamic Flow classes, or perhaps even a few days on a yoga retreat
  • Gym – cardio, weights, HIIT classes, or Personal Training
  • Racquet sports – PADEL, Tennis and Pickleball
  • Aerobics- check out the free classes down at the lake
  • Aqua Aerobics
More info - links & resources

MEDICAL CHECK-UPS

Reach out to a medical practitioner (GP) to review your overall health and look for possible hormonal imbalances.

You may also want to consider Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy & Nutrition.

CALMING YOUR MIND

Here’s a few ideas to help slow things down, reflect on your feelings and soothe your central nervous system.

  • Meditation – check out some of the meditation apps, such as Headspace, Insight Timer, Mind Leap – or join meditation classes on the island
  • Breathwork & Ice Baths
  • Podcasts & Documentaries 
  • TRE (“Tension Release Exercises”)
  • Reiki 
  • Art – adult colouring books, art classes (painting & drawing)
More info - links & resources

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT & THERAPY

Being far from home and our network of close family, means we don’t always know where to turn when we’re in need of some therapy or counselling.  We’ve put together a few recommendations here, that you can reach out to when faced with mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety or grief.

  • Samaritans of Thailand – 24-hour hotline that offers free support over the telephone, with the main objective of suicide prevention. Phone: +66 (0) 2 113 6789 press 2 for English (or press 1 for Thai). Leave a message, someone will call you back within 24 hours.
  • Bangkok Hospital Samui has qualified Psychiatrists.  Contact the hospital to make an appointment on +66 (0) 77 429 500
  • Koh Samui Hospital in Nathon has a qualified Psychiatric Nurse.  It is our understanding that they can dispense mental health medicines if required. Contact the Foreigner Center at Koh Samui Hospital for more information, call +66 (0) 77 420 856
  • Miskawaan Health Clinic – wellness programs designed to support relaxation, rejuvenation, promote healing and overall wellbeing.  Book an appointment with Dr Sybille to find out more.
  • BetterHelp.com (online) – network of professional therapists offering help with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, grief and more. Fees from $60-$90 per week.
  • Dr Mallika Meinhold – Health Psychologist with clinics in Bangkok & Hua Hin, offering face to face and online appointments. 
  • Romi Grossberg – Holistic counselling (online appointments)
  • Residential retreats for mental health and trauma recovery – including The Dawn Wellness Centre, and New Paradigm (both located in Chiang Mai).

BLOGS - WELLNESS

CALM YOUR MIND

Here’s a few ideas to help slow things down, reflect on your feelings and soothe your central nervous system. MEDITATION...

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let’s get physical

Physical activites can help you find balance with the body and the mind, and also support good health. Here’s a...

Read More