After over 15 years of nearly continuous travel, establishing residency in Bulgaria has significantly transformed our lives. For the first time since spending part of our time in Grenada, we’re no longer living out of suitcases, moving between Airbnbs, or consuming whatever is convenient—regardless of its healthiness. We’ve finally established roots, and it appears that having a more permanent base is one of the best decisions we’ve made for our health. We’re not as youthful as we were when we embarked on this travel lifestyle back in 2008!
With our new status as residents and a place to call our own, we’ve been able to create genuine routines, and we’ve never felt better. We hope this list offers you some ideas to incorporate into your daily life as well.
Here are the 10 actions we’re taking to enhance our health now that we’ve secured a home base.
1. Weekly Sauna Visits
One of the major advantages of settling down has been convenient access to saunas. We’ve made regular sauna visits an essential part of our week. The benefits extend far beyond simply unwinding after a workout. Consistent sauna use has been associated with enhanced cardiovascular health, improved circulation, quicker muscle recovery, and lower stress levels… not to mention, sweating it out after a few glasses of wine the night before is always beneficial! While we lived near Plovdiv in a bigger house for almost 4 years, we had our own infrared sauna—allowing us to sweat as much as we desired. Nowadays, since downsizing to Bansko, we visit the spa weekly to enjoy a sauna session.
2. Emphasizing Sleep Quality
The reality of travel is that it disrupts sleep. Changing beds every few nights, dealing with jet lag, noisy streets, and uncomfortable mattresses—everything adds up. We care deeply about our mattress (I relate to the Princess and the Pea 😂). When we lived in Grenada, we felt the mattress wasn’t up to standard, so we bought a new one, and did the same in Plovdiv. Unfortunately, since relocating to Bansko, the house we’re renting has a less-than-ideal mattress, causing our sleep to decline. We’ve ordered a mattress topper, which we hope helps, and if not, we’ll consider a new mattress. Companies like Simba offer a wide range of mattresses, toppers, and even reflexology slippers with 9 pressure points that I’m eager to explore! Anything that enhances my wellbeing is worth it. Nick also has an Oura Ring, while I have an Apple Watch, allowing us to monitor our sleep, which has been quite beneficial. Of course, we’ll still travel and sleep on whatever beds are available (or even the floor in some situations!), but when at home, we want a quality mattress. You can hike daily, eat healthily, and take supplements religiously, but without good sleep, none of that really counts…
3. Enjoying Mineral Pools
Bulgaria is renowned for its mineral springs, and living close to Bansko has allowed us to fully take advantage. The area boasts numerous mineral spa pools, and soaking in them has become one of our favorite ways to relax and recover. The naturally heated, mineral-rich water is filled with elements like magnesium, calcium, and sulfur, which are believed to aid everything from sore muscles to skin health. Beyond the physical benefits, there’s something soothing and rejuvenating about soaking in warm water surrounded by mountains. We aim to visit the pools regularly. It’s an experience we could never consistently enjoy while constantly on the go, and now it stands out in our routine.
4. Engaging in Natural Cold Plunges
On the contrary to the sauna, Nick has developed a fondness for cold plunging—me, not so much! I’ve tried it a few times, but the water needs to be 10 °C or warmer; otherwise, my body becomes stressed. Opinions are also mixed on the benefits of cold plunges for women. For Nick, however, he’s fortunate to plunge into natural cold water near our new home instead of a pool. Nothing compares to the exhilaration of stepping into an icy mountain stream or plunge pool after warming up in the sauna. Cold exposure has been associated with decreased inflammation, improved circulation, a boosted immune response, and a significant increase in mental clarity and alertness. Those initial moments are always a shock to the body, but the rush of endorphins afterward is unmatched—you emerge feeling invigorated, focused, and strangely euphoric.
5. Incorporating Targeted Minerals
This one’s a little unconventional, but it’s become a captivating aspect of our health