A therapist champions the therapeutic benefits of one particular UK city for soothing her patients.
Kaila Hattis, founder and therapist at Pacific Coast Therapy, boasts extensive experience helping individuals with traumatic backgrounds learn emotional regulation techniques. Regarding destinations “that have the potential to aid an over-stressed individual relax and unwind”, Kaila particularly favours one location.
“Bath has always stood out for its slow-moving, consistent pace from the moment one arrives in the city. The curved Georgian roads move at a soothing pace, while the quieter pockets close to the Abbey have a calming effect on anxious individuals quicker than any grounding technique I have taught. For myself, my own breathing calms within seconds of arriving, and similarly for my clients. Approximately 7 out of 10 of the clients who have traveled to Bath report that their bodies relaxed without them doing anything differently. The reality is that Bath provides people with space to reset themselves, much like wellness trends attempt to simulate but cannot replicate,” Kaila told the Mirror.
Legend has it the city’s origins trace back to Prince Bladud wandering the region in 890 BC alongside a drove of pigs, exiled from his realm after developing leprosy. He discovered something extraordinary about the water seeping through the earth when his swine companions began wallowing joyfully in the heated mud.
This very spot would become the foundation for Bath, drawing bath-house For the next 2,900 years, enthusiasts and pilgrims from across Europe have been drawn to this location. If you’re seeking a tranquil city break today, Thermae Bath Spa is an excellent choice, offering herbal steam rooms and four thermal pools, including an open-air rooftop pool.
Bath is also renowned for its breathtaking architecture, primarily constructed during the 18th-century Georgian era – though it may also be familiar to television viewers as a filming location for Bridgerton. The Crescent, built with golden Bath stone in the Palladian revival style, is arguably the city’s architectural masterpiece, transforming terraced housing into an art form.
The refurbished Cleveland Pools – the oldest lido in Britain – and the Bath World Heritage Centre are also worth a visit. Rugby fans can catch a Premiership match at the central stadium, nestled next to a river beneath stunning examples of Georgian architecture.
One of Bath’s most iconic landmarks is Pulteney Bridge, a symbol of Georgian architecture that arches over the River Avon.
Another highly recommended city for relaxation is Utrecht, says Kaila. “The canals are situated below street level, creating a quieter atmosphere by drawing noise down to the lower levels before it becomes noticeable. Currently, I send entrepreneurs to Utrecht as many operate under constant adrenaline. Upon their return, they report more stable moods, clearer thought processes and significantly r She stated, “This essentially equates to both cities providing the kinds of resets that most busy individuals rarely permit themselves.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
