Destination Wellness: Global Secrets for Better Living Wherever You Are

by Annie Daly

True well-being isnt hard to find. You just have to know where to look. In this insightful, full-color tour of Jamaica, Norway, Hawai'i, Japan, India, and Brazil, wellness and travel journalist Annie Daly shares a diverse array of philosophies, lifestyles, and practices for better living.

Fed up with the commercialization of the wellness industry after working in it for years, Annie embarked on an inspiring adventure through some of the world's happiest and healthiest cities and villages to find out what we can learn from them. Whether she's hiking along gorgeous fjords in Norway to see why Norwegians are so dedicated to getting outside, soothing her spirit with Hawaiian salt water cleanses, or learning about the importance Brazilians place on community, Annie combines on-the-ground reporting with heartful personal narrative to share the global lessons, philosophies, and customs that prove that wellness is not about the products—it's about the way you live your life.

With candid photography, lesser-known history sidebars, and guidance on how to incorporate these often ancient and always timeless practices into your own lifestyle, this culturally-immersive read invites you to view the world through a different lens and decide what being well means to you.

Destination Wellness is the perfect book for:

• Anyone who has embraced hygge and is looking for new lifestyle inspiration
• Armchair travelers and staycationers
• Happiness and inspiration seekers
• Wellness and travel enthusiasts
• History lovers

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Self Help, Coffee Table Books, Health

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2021

Reviews

[Shari Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, a freelance wellness writer, takes a look at wellness practices in several areas. She immerses herself in these ideas and gives you her impression of the practice and the people who practice it. At the end of each chapter are ways to incorporate the wellness ideas into your everyday life.
From Jamaica to Japan with several stops along the way this is an incredible look at wellness without the commercialization that we normally see.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you've ever read an Instagram post caption about exotic ancient health practices and wish it could be longer, this is the book for you. If that sounds kind of rude and impossible to respond to, that's fair, but honestly this whole thing reads like something I'd overhear from the next table over during brunch hours in Allston-Brighton. She did some globetrotting, got the opportunity to experience some different walks of life, and is now trying to share it with whoever's interested.

There's some good stuff in here with an accessible tone that makes for easy reading, but something about it reads a little... over-edited? I wish I had a good word for it. She'll be talking about eating healthy and then start apologizing for colonialism and white privilege to an audience that probably isn't ever going to read this book. Then I remember the intended audience for all that isn't actually victims of colonization or underprivileged communities, it's just other folks who will nod stoically and knowingly at the same brunch table. Barf. I hope it sounds embarrassing and dated like bellbottoms or acid-washed jeans in ten years.

Between the outbursts of white guilt (present but not overwhelming, I'm just allergic) she shares some cool insights from communities in the rest of the world and reminds me that everyone's got a lot to learn, and there's a million ways to live. Decent read for a flight, but remember it's basically a book-long Buzzfeed article with some cool Instagram-ish pictures.

[Vanessa Ferlaino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did I find the honesty and candidness refreshing, I found myself sitting in much gratitude, which manifested in a sigh of relief, that Annie Daly took on this topic because it's completely grazed over. I, too, have also found myself incredibly skeptical and frustrated with the commodity of wellness. The element of authenticity has been masked behind this commoditization; everyone is being "sold" to feel good, being "told" to "do" it, but not being encouraged to "be" it . Because to "be" it requires not a product, but actually much less -- it requires only you, your vessel that contains your being, and that is something Annie alluded to in her book as she takes us through various travel destinations, uncovering the true roots of wellness and its connection to culture, language, and spirituality, to name a few. Annie's balance of journalism and love for travel is the reason this book is so refreshing; it's a seamless read as we uncover the roots of the wellness philosophies that we can't always appreciate due to its commoditization.

[Audrey Lynx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Daly’s wellness adventures. Just having come back from a trip to Jamaica myself, I loved that Jamaica is where she started, though instead of what was likely more like a Jamaica theme park that I saw, she immersed herself in a more authentic Jamaican cultural experience. I can’t help but be jealous of her adventures, but she did a great job of helping the reader feel like we are along for the ride and discovering the culture with her. I thought it was a good choice to write each section about her personal experience of the culture, woven in with some light historical context. It was a respectful and well intentioned angle. Plus, no first time traveler to these communities could ever fully and authentically represent the culture, which she acknowledges multiple times, so her focus on her personal experience was the only way to represent her travels in a genuine way. I only wish there was more: more detail about each country, more experiences and cultural context, and more countries! I feel she barely scratched the surface, and I hope she includes Costa Rica in her next book (and takes me with her)!

[JRYKK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Daily is a freelance writer who focuses on wellness - and at some point started to question why we have to pay so much for the concept of wellness here in the US. So she sets off around the world to understand wellness in other cultures - Jamaica, Norway, Hawai’i, Japan, India, and Brazil - and fully immerses herself in the cultures and practices. With no shock, the Norway chapter fully resonated with me, focusing on the country’s concept of friluftsliv - open air living, or reconnecting with nature as a form of wellness, but I was able to take something from each chapter. Annie does an awesome job of capturing takeaways from each culture that you can implement today to better your life without the price tag. A refreshing reminder that you don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to be well, I loved the escape of this book.

[Terra Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone fascinated by the world of wellness consumerism and culture in the states, I frickin loved this book. It’s not an intense novel by any means, more so a fun, engaging, quick read with pictures and fun formatting. Which I loved. I found her to be genuine in her search for understanding true holistic wellness and learning from others. And being socially aware enough to tie in its history to whiteness, colonialism, & capitalism. Some other comment said it’s white guilt but I think it’s just acknowledgment of the truth, that free & accessible wellness practices are rooted in history and culture that Americans are so far removed from. Here it’s something to be sold & marketed.

[Christine Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this chock-full of travel inspiration (I am READY to get on a plane to Jamaica, Hawaii, Brazil, India, Japan, etc. as soon as they let me!), but also plenty of practical and doable at-home tips for wellness. Annie is a relatable and self-aware narrator here, and I appreciated her perspective on well-being that goes beyond just physical health. I thought it might be more of a coffee table book, but it was actually really easy and fun to read through.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I enjoyed hearing about aspects of other cultures that contribute to their wellbeing and sense of wellness, the critical look at the American wellness industry and I respected the fact that the author brought up her privilege and noted colonialism and slavery as it related to the topics she was addressing. Definitely made me think differently about my personal wellness quest and about how I define self care

[Ashley]

Exactly what I needed at the exact right time. I'm grateful that Annie was able to complete her travels right before Covid hit so I could live vicariously through her for a couple hundred pages. I look forward to her next book; it's going to dive deeper into the Hawaiin culture portion of Destination Wellness.

[Dawn Aubel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read while away for a few days, and at this time of the year I think about how to be better. The vignettes from different cultures led me to commit to a couple of new goals in 2023: plant a garden again, hike at least 10 of the ADK46 peaks, and check out Ayurveda. This memoir also gave me some ideas for future travel to interesting places.

[Konzie Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a “self-help” book reader. This gets into several cultures around the world that have great attitudes about well-being. The author visits each area and immerses herself in their day-to-day, learning everything she can.

It made me feel like I could implement some of the changes she wrote about. It was also very inspiring.

[Shawny Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book with many reminders that we can find good health and happiness in ways that are right in front of us and don’t require spending hundreds if dollars on products, many of which are just American fads and likely don’t improve our health as much as some of these simple ideas could.

[Abhay Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy fun read which nudges you enough to make you think. The book pulls from hundreds of years of cultural wisdom from thriving societies to give you unique insights on what makes the world happy and how easy it is to encorporate simple things in your own life

[Kayla Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this anthropological take on wellness by Annie! it was such a refreshing approach to how cultures, complicated history + travel intersect in the realm of wellness. looking forward to applying these principles + visiting some of the destinations covered with a fresh set of eyes.

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a light, happy, inspiring and peaceful read. Just what I needed right now. I'm excited to see if I can incorporate some of the insights the author wrote about in the book to my own life. It's always nice to find natural ways to feel happier and healther.

[Meryl Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First e-book I've read and totally loved it! Every page is refreshing and provides so much unique insights on how each travel destination regards wellness. Truly inspiring and yes, achieving wellness does not require huge amount of money!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

It was fun to learn about other cultures, but felt a little lacking on how to implement these secrets in day-to-day life. Left me feeling like I have to travel to the mentioned locations to fully benefit from these written lessons.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a happy book! The photos in here were beautiful and the author really simplified everything and made all of the wellness tips and tricks doable no matter where you live. I love traveling so much so this was the perfect book for me.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely learned a lot about the cultures represented in this book and will be sure to reference again if I ever visit any of the countries written about. Norway may be in my future thanks to this…

[Cassandra Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh loved this book so much. Author discusses how wellness is perceived in different cultures. It was so great to understand wellness is so much more than products and technology. Wellness is based in connections. Connections to the earth, your faith, and your community.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mary Evers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second time reading it and I absolutely recommend to anyone who loves travel and being healthy.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short fun reminder to take it easy and slow down. Nothing new here, but I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the different countries she went to.