Relaxation

Are you getting enough sun protection?

Published

13 years ago

October 29, 2013

While soaking up a little Vitamin D might have its benefits, the harsh rays of the hot sun in Maldives can pose a danger. From premature ageing to sun spots, through to the serious danger of skin-cancer, protecting your skin when you’re out and about is key. But while we all know daily SPF use is sensible, what do we really know about sun protection?

Protect Yourself
When you’re choosing a sunscreen, read the labels carefully and be sure to find a product which promises broad spectrum protection. While we’re well trained to seek out a protectant with a high SPF, many of us fail to realise that rating applies only to UVB protection, while a broad specrtum sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA penetrates into the lower dermis of the skin, causes most of the ageing affects seen from sun damage and is a consistent threat throughout the year, while UVB levels differ between summer and winter months, so protecting your skin from both is imperative. Always apply sun cream 30 minutes prior to exposure to ensure absorption, and remember to reapply regularly, as swimming or outdoor exercise will reduce the effectiveness of your protection.
In addition to your product regime, antioxidants play a significant role in the protection and repair of the skin, helping to reverse some of the damage caused by sunlight, including discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike sunscreens and SPF moisturisers, antioxidants protect the skin from the inside, guarding your cells from external aggressors including the sun. Natural antioxidants, which carry the added benefit of slowing down the skin ageing process, can be found in raspberries, blueberries, red kidney beans, soy and green tea, so go gourmet and protect yourself from the inside out.

Feed Your Skin
Vitamins A, C and E are also crucial in boosting the natural self protection of the skin and can be found in foods such as sweet potato, dark leafy greens, paprika, almonds and oranges. Combining these enriched foods with a good SPF sunscreen takes you one step closer to helping your skin rejuvenate, protecting against carcinogens and long term damage.

Care and Repair
Caring for your skin after sun exposure is as important as protecting it beforehand, not least as overexposure causes water to evaporate from the skin, leaving it dry and dehydrated. With the use of emollients, you can boost your skin’s ability to retain its natural moisture, replacing lost fluids to ensure the complexion regains a soft and supple appearance. A few simple steps can go a long way to preventing long lasting skin damage, so take care to consume more water and to moisturise after sun exposure. Use a deeply nourishing and hydrating product to quench your skin after you’ve been out in our harsh climate to help target dryness and its ageing effects.

Calm The Burn
When skin burns, the fine layers at the top of the dermis are damaged, causing discomfort. Aloe vera gels are great for cooling and soothing hot patches – for an even better effect, refrigerate before application – while raw, organic plant-based oils, such as rosehip, coconut and argan, contain nourishing vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help relieve the feeling of dry tight skin. Apply just before you go to sleep so they can penetrate the skin and nourish it overnight.

Most of the resorts in Maldives are equipped with world-class spas. They provide tailored sun care and tanning programmes for guests.

This unique service which will identify each guest’s individual skin sun potential and advise them on the best skin care to maximise their full tanning potential. These programmes which allow all skin types to get the benefits of the sun safely. They also allow users to get the desired results under any kind of sunlight intensity.

Meditation

W Maldives to host neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for week-long ‘Restore Ritual’

Published

2 weeks ago

August 11, 2026

m@ldives

W Maldives, a luxury private-islandresort with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, will welcome neuroscientist, meditation coach, and wellness innovator, and Brainwave founder Anne-Sophie Fluri for The Restore Ritual, taking place from September 14 to 20, 2026.

The week-long wellness residency will combine neuroscience, mindfulness, and immersive island experiences, offering guests a new perspective on mental well-being. Through a series of guided practices, Fluri will explore how mental fitness can be developed with the same intention as physical wellness.

The Restore Ritual is the latest installment of The Wavemaker Edit, W Maldives’ signature series featuring global innovators across culinary, mixology, music, art, design, sustainability, and wellness. Set against the natural beauty of the Maldives, the week-longresidency brings a science-led approach to mental well-beingthrough experiences designed to encourage curiosity, reflection, and meaningful connection.

For Fluri, well-beingbegins with understanding the mind. Her work is built on the belief that resilience, focus, and emotional well-beingare skills that can be strengthened through science-backed practices and daily rituals. Rather than treating wellness as an occasional escape, she encourages people to develop sustainable habits that support a calmer, more present way of living, combining neuroscience with mindfulness to make mental fitness both practical and accessible.

Her career spans neuroscience research, technology, and wellness. During her Master of Research in Experimental Neuroscience at Imperial College London, Fluri contributed to pioneering research in psychedelic science and migraine treatment. She later earned a scholarship to develop algorithms addressing motion sickness in virtual reality.

Fluri went on to serve as Head of Mindfulness at a mental fitness platform and Chief Science Officer at a sleep technologycompany. She now develops neuroscience-based products and leads Brainwave, a global platform delivering science-backed talks, workshops, coaching and events delivered by scientists and academics.

Throughout the residency, Fluri will personally lead every session, using the island’s natural surrounds as a setting for explorationand reflection. The program will include sunrise meditationoverlookingthe Indian Ocean, conscious breathwork and visualization, invigorating ice bath challenge, and restorative rituals held in selected locations across the island. Sessions will unfold at settings including Coral Terrace, surrounded by the resort’s award-winning house reef, and the secluded shores of Gaathafushi Private Island. Each location brings nature into the experience, creating moments where nature and neuroscience come together in harmony.

“The Wavemaker Edit was created to bring inspiring voices and fresh perspective to W Maldives,”said Amila Handunwala, General Managerof W Maldives. “Anne-Sophierepresents a new generation of wellness innovators who combine scientific knowledge with genuine human connection. The Restore Ritual offers our guests an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and discover that wellbeing extends far beyond the spa. It is about creating experiences that stay with you long after you leave the island.”

Guests interested in experiencing The Restore Ritual and the resort’s evolving calendar of cultural and wellness programming can book the Half Board Escape package, availableuntil August 31, 2026. This package includes a stay with daily buffet breakfast, a daily three-course dinner at selected dining venues, and an in-room W MixBar stocked with non-alcoholicbeverage.

For more information, visit wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.

Meditation

Reconnect with nature at Milaidhoo Maldives this World Wellness Weekend

Published

2 weeks ago

August 5, 2026

m@ldives

This September, Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to press pause and reconnect with what matters most. From 18th to 20th September, the boutique island retreat in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, will mark World Wellness Weekend with a thoughtfully curated programme of experiences celebrating movement, mindfulness and the simple joy of being immersed in nature.

At Milaidhoo, wellbeing isn’t centred on strict routines or quick fixes. It comes naturally through the island’s slower pace, the restorative power of the ocean, time spent outdoors and fresh, nourishing cuisine inspired by the Maldives. On the small island, guests are gently encouraged to switch off, breathe deeply and savour each moment.

This philosophy is reflected at Serenity Spa, where a dedicated team of therapists and wellness practitioners share a deeply personal approach to wellbeing. Every treatment is thoughtfully tailored, blending time-honoured healing traditions with genuine care to help guests relax and restore themselves.

To celebrate World Wellness Weekend, Milaidhoo has created a three-day programme of complimentary and signature experiences, from sunrise yoga and aqua meditation to aerial wellness sessions and a workshop on mental wellbeing led by visiting practitioner Dr Lim Xiang Jun, who combines traditional healing wisdom with modern medical knowledge. Guests and the Milaidhoo Family members will also come together for Moving Together, a relaxed community jog along the Water Villa Jetty, celebrating the wellbeing that comes from sharing experiences with others.

Programme of activities as follows for the World Wellness Weekend:

Friday, 18th September 2026

08.00 – Complimentary Morning Yoga
Yoga Pavilion
Begin the day with a gentle yoga practice surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

11.00 – Mental Wellbeing and Stress Management Workshop
Yoga Pavilion | Complimentary | 45 minutes
Led by Dr Lim Xiang Jun, visiting practitioner at Milaidhoo. A Modern Traditional Doctor, Dr. Lim combines traditional healing practices with modern medical knowledge, sharing practical approaches to managing stress and supporting mental wellbeing.

19.00 – Moonlit Sound Journey
Yoga Pavilion | $35++ per person (minimum of 4 guests)
A calming evening experience using sound and vibration to encourage deep relaxation beneath the Maldivian night sky.

Saturday, 19th September 2026

08.00 – Complimentary Aqua Workout
Compass Pool
A refreshing water-based workout to energise the body and mind.

11.00 – Group Aerial Yoga Flow
$35++ per person (minimum 4 guests)
A guided aerial yoga session combining movement, balance and mindful breathing.

16:30 – Moving Together
Water Villa Jetty | Complimentary
A one-hour relaxed jog along the Water Villa jetty, open to all guests and Milaidhoo Family members, celebrating movement and connection.

Sunday, 20th September 2026

08.00 – Complimentary Morning Yoga
Yoga Pavilion

11.00 – Aqua Sonic Meditation
Compass Pool | Complimentary
A unique meditation experience combining the calming environment of water with soothing sounds.

15.00 – Aerial Thai Wellness
Yoga Pavilion | $35++ per person (minimum of 4 guests)
A gentle wellness session inspired by Thai therapeutic movement techniques.

At Milaidhoo, wellbeing is not something to be added to island life, it is naturally part of it.

This World Wellness Weekend, guests are invited to take time for themselves, discover new ways to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of being fully present.

Meditation

Imron Zulfikar returns to Niva Kuramathi Maldives for festive wellness residency

Published

3 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

m@ldives

As the festive season casts its gentle glow, Niva Kuramathi Maldives is set to welcome the return of acclaimed holistic wellness practitioner Imron Zulfikar. From 16 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, guests are invited to embark on a transformative journey, immersing themselves in bespoke wellness journeys designed to restore harmony and vitality under the guidance of a true master of holistic health.

During his residency, Imron will offer a curated selection of signature therapies designed for lasting wellbeing. Experience the Functional Alignment Massage, a 90-minute restorative bodywork session that combines therapeutic massage, Thai stretching, and body mechanics to improve posture, release chronic tension, and enhance mobility. For pain relief, the Radiant Heat Deep Release offers an advanced treatment using deep tissue massage and infrared heat to soften tension, improve circulation, and accelerate recovery, with acupuncture available to enhance results.

Restore your inner harmony with the Chakra Balance Treatment, a 90-minute journey that begins with a mental wellness consultation and unfolds with crystal healing, guided meditation, and a soothing massage to align body, mind, and spirit. For a focused and powerful renewal, the 45-minute Yoga Intestinal Detox Therapy offers a guided practice of specific yoga movements and mineral-balanced hydration to support health.

Facial Rejuvenation

Indulge in rejuvenating facial treatments designed to illuminate your skin from within. The Accu Glow Facial is a refined 90-minute treatment using facial acupuncture and a bespoke skincare ritual to stimulate collagen, leaving skin firmer, brighter, and with a youthful glow. The Radiant Crystal Lift Facial provides a gentle 60-minute experience, combining infrared light with a Rose Quartz massage to enhance lymphatic drainage, soften tension, and promote a luminous, healthy glow.

Private Movement Classes:

Imron will also lead private sessions in Therapeutic Yoga, Body Alignment, Mat Pilates, and Personal Training. Guests are also invited to join a series of rejuvenating group classes designed to elevate vitality and inspire a sense of renewal.

Imron brings over a decade of expertise as a wellness lifestyle coach and holistic fitness specialist. His integrative methods, encompassing acupuncture, tension release, yoga, and Pilates, offer a comprehensive approach to emotional wellbeing and mobility. His intuitive healing and unwavering professionalism have earned the trust of high-profile clients worldwide, including Serena Williams, Emma Watson, and Richard Branson, who described him as having “golden hands.”

For more inspiration, please visit www.nivakuramathi.com.