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The Best Trips You Can Take for Your Health in the New Year

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Once all the confetti’s finished falling, the sequined dresses are put away and all the champagne bottles are empty, it’ll be New Year’s Day — and the end of the holiday season. And, because of the gluttony that often comes with this time of the year, you’ll be more than ready to return to or adopt a healthy lifestyle to mark the start of a new calendar.

There are, of course, plenty of ways to improve your health once the year starts. You can refine your diet by incorporating more greens, proteins and healthy fats. You can hit the gym and try what are forecasted to be the year’s most popular workouts. Or, you can treat yourself to something even more special: a health-centric trip.

These getaways combine the benefits of fitness and wellness with the many health benefits of travel, including stress relief and boosted levels of happiness. It doesn’t hurt that the following six trips — some of the best health-centric getaways you can take — will bring you to some of the world’s most beautiful locales, too.

So, grab your suitcase, your passport and your credit card — it’s time to book one of the following six trips to start your year off on a fit-minded foot.

1. Sedona, Arizona

In the middle of the desert, you'll find your oasis in Sedona. The city is a popular tourist destination, and for a good reason: It's full of the kind of breathtaking natural scenery that'll inspire you to hike as you've never hiked before. Map out your walk through the Red Rock Crossing, or plan your own path down one of the area’s best hiking trails. Your sore legs will be a great souvenir, and all that walking will keep you in shape while you get your tourist on.

2. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is a domestic locale with some incredible potential for your health. A yoga detox is an excellent way to kick-off a healthy new year, and many yoga retreats offer you a detox without billing them as such. You'll combine your yoga training with healthy eating plans and fresh juices designed to detoxify your body. At the end of your retreat, you'll feel centered and healthy, and you'll have a camera full of incredible images of the unforgettable surrounds.

3. St. Lucia

Island getaway? Don’t mind if we do! St. Lucia is obviously a tropical, lush, gorgeous paradise, enough to help you de-stress and relax on its own. But plenty of resorts on the island aim to further enhance your experience with fitness classes like tai chi, pilates and water sports.

Plus, you shouldn't forget the time spent on a massage table can be billed as self-care. Massage can help with plenty of ailments, including headaches, anxiety, digestive issues and sports injuries. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a session while you’re in St. Lucia.

4. Huntington Beach, California

Isak Dinesen once famously said, “The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.” That’s one of the big reasons why Huntington Beach makes this travel list. Where the Pacific Ocean meets the California coast, you can get your sweat on while dipping your toes in the salty ocean water.

The beach is famous for its tall waves, perfect for surfing. So, whether you’re hanging 10 for the first time or you’re a pro-surfer, head to California for a weekend on the waves. Not only will you get a great workout, but you’ll also feel super accomplished when you can stand up on that board and ride into shore like a pro.

5. New York City

Okay, New York City may not seem like the most outwardly relaxing destination like many of the ones that have already made the list. But the city is a breeding ground for all the fitness trends that will eventually come to sweep your hometown in a few months or years.

So, grab a cheap flight to the Big Apple and reserve your spot in a few of the city’s buzziest, trendiest workout classes. You might just find your new favorite way to exercise on the home front.

6. Hawaii

There’s no specific place to go in Hawaii to boost your health and happiness in 2018. That’s because all of the islands are visually stunning, with lush, green hills rolling right out into cerulean waters. You could spend weeks or months in the Aloha State, hiking and exploring and sweating and LIVING just the way you want to in the New Year.

In fact, Hawaii combines all of the above amenities in one location. You can find a city or even a specific resort where you can do yoga, learn to surf, go to the spa and attend fitness classes. Hotel staffers who live on the island can direct you toward the area’s best, most breathtaking hikes and, at the end of each day, you can dine on fresh tropical fare that’ll leave you feeling incredible at the end of your vacay.

Up Next: The Happiest New Year

The fact that you’re already thinking about how you’ll take care of yourself in 2018 proves you’re entering the New Year with the right outlook. Your health and happiness are the most critical aspects of your life to maintain. Taking a trip to make yourself feel better than ever? That's the perfect reason to book a ticket, so don't hesitate to get going for a fit New Year and beyond.

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