In a world where we’re constantly plugged in, connected, and consuming, it’s rare to find a space that truly encourages you to disconnect.

As an entrepreneur who works in marketing and social media, my days are spent mostly online: on Zoom, in back-to-back meetings, managing platforms, engaging with people, and navigating an endless stream of content. I love what I do, but it also means I’m rarely off. There’s always something pulling for my attention.

Because of that, I’ve come to deeply value moments of stillness, those sweet pockets of time where I can step away, reset, and reconnect with myself. Lately, that looks like yoga, long walks in nature, or daily meditation. But recently, I discovered something that feels like an elevated extension of that practice: an evening at the Spa Village. And the best part? It fits seamlessly into my weekday.

Why Evenings Just Work

If I’m being honest, the time I need to decompress the most isn’t on a weekend, it’s after a full workday. That window between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. is when everything catches up with you: the mental load, the screen time, the constant output. It’s also when most of us default to staying in the same cycle, scrolling, answering emails, or numbing out in front of a screen. As an entrepreneur, you rarely fit into the hours of a typical workday, so a forced disconnect is often needed and very welcomed.

Arriving at Thermea Spa Village Whitby in the evening felt like stepping out of that loop and into something entirely different. The atmosphere shifts. It’s quieter, softer, and more intimate. There’s no rush, no urgency, just the space to slow down. And perhaps most impactful of all … your phone stays tucked away. That alone is transformative.

The Thermal Cycle, My Way

Once I arrived, I moved into the thermal cycle, the foundation of the Spa Village experience. What I appreciated immediately was that it isn’t prescriptive—there’s no single “right” way to move through it. Instead, you’re invited to listen to your body. For me, that meant leaning into warmth, comfort, and ease.

I began with the saunas, allowing the heat to slowly melt away the tension from the day, both physically and mentally. There’s something deeply grounding about that kind of warmth, it feels like your body is finally being given permission to soften. From there, I moved through the thermal baths, rotating between baths and temperatures, lingering in the ones that felt the most soothing.

After a few rounds, I made my way to the rest areas, which I quickly realized are one of the most important, and underrated, parts of the experience. Warm domes, crackling fires, and quiet rooms invite you to pause. Wrapped in a robe, completely unplugged, I allowed myself to simply be. No phone. No notifications. No pressure to be “on.” Just stillness.

Kalla: A Moment of Weightlessness

One of the most memorable parts of my evening, and easily my favourite, was Kalla, the saltwater flotation bath. It felt like stepping into a completely different world. Set in a quiet, candlelit space, the moment you enter the water your body begins to float effortlessly, supported by the high concentration of Epsom salt. There’s no effort required, just immediate weightlessness.

I remember lying back, closing my eyes, and feeling everything soften: my body, my thoughts, even my breath. With subtle underwater music and complete stillness, it became one of the most calming, almost meditative moments of the entire evening. Time seemed to slow down. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you, not just in the moment, but afterward as well.

Dining as Part of the Experience

Another unexpected highlight was the dining. Often, meals during the week feel rushed or secondary, something you squeeze in between everything else. But at Thermea Spa Village, dining feels like a natural extension of the experience itself. There are multiple options depending on your mood: Le Resto offers an elevated, seasonal menu with thoughtfully prepared dishes, while the Lounge provides a relaxed setting for cocktails and shareable plates. There’s also the Biergarden, which has a more casual, social atmosphere.

What I loved most was the flow. You can move from the baths to a meal seamlessly—still in your robe, still in that relaxed state, taking your time. There’s no pressure to rush or transition back into “real life” too quickly. It felt intentional. Grounding. Nourishing in every sense.

An Introduction to the Aufguss Ritual

One of the most unique and memorable experiences of the evening was the Aufguss ritual, something I hadn’t fully understood until I experienced it firsthand. I began with the Discovery Aufguss, which felt like the perfect introduction. Gentle yet immersive, it combines music, waves of heat, and subtle essential oils to create a deeply sensory experience. Guided by an Artisan, the ritual unfolds through rhythmic towel movements that circulate warmth and scent throughout the sauna.

As it progressed, I found myself completely present, tuning into the sound of ice melting on hot stones, the rise and fall of heat, and the quiet stillness in between. It felt almost like a moving meditation. What I appreciated most was that, once again, I could engage with it in a way that felt right for me, staying within my comfort zone and embracing the warmth without pushing into intensity. There was also something incredibly grounding about the natural elements woven into the experience: the earthy scents, the connection to nature, the sense of being transported somewhere else entirely. More than anything, it became another moment to fully disconnect and reset.

A New Kind of Self-Care Ritual

What stood out to me most about the entire experience is how seamlessly it fits into real life. This isn’t something you need to reserve for a special occasion or a full weekend commitment—it’s something you can incorporate into your week, right when you need it most. For me, it felt like an expansion of the practices I already rely on: yoga, meditation, mindful movement, but in a way that felt immersive, intentional, and deeply restorative.

It’s a reminder that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s about creating the space to step away, slow down, and reconnect. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do … is simply stop.

Written by Lauren Shirreffs, @laurenmarias

Chelsea

Winnipeg

Whitby

After-Work Reset: An Evening at Thermea Spa Village Whitby

Why Evenings Just Work

The Thermal Cycle, My Way

Kalla: A Moment of Weightlessness

Dining as Part of the Experience

An Introduction to the Aufguss Ritual

A New Kind of Self-Care Ritual

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