Higher State

A 24/7 haven of tranquillity, Higher State offers an array of state-of-the-art facilities, from a fully equipped health club and functional training areas to personal training, group exercise classes, and a serene space for Reformer Pilates and yoga.

If that were not enough, there’s a 25-metre indoor pool to dive into, an infrared sauna to ease your aches, and signature wellness treatments provided by expert therapists. This is a place where the chaos of travel melts away, replaced by a soothing balm for the soul.

“Designed with the traveller in mind, Higher State’s wellness pillars aim to amplify the body’s natural chemistry, helping guests achieve their fullest potential,” explains Bree Melotte, Belgravia Leisure’s Wellness Expert.

“Our post-flight care plan addresses the effects of flying, elevating health not just through physical fitness but by fostering a balanced state of mind.”

Here are five ways Higher State can help you combat the fatigue and discomfort of air travel.

1. Reduce stress and regulate mood

After the rush and rigour of travel, stress can hang heavy on the body and mind, manifesting as fatigue, anxiety, or irritability. But exercise releases endorphins, those gentle messengers of joy, which can lift your spirits and clear the post-flight fog. A brief workout will help calm your mind, reduce stress, and ease the fatigue lingering from your journey.

Incorporating activities that lower cortisol levels will support your adrenal health and help balance both the sympathetic nervous system (your body’s ‘fight or flight’ responder) and the parasympathetic nervous system (the calming counterbalance). Higher State also nurtures the regulation of mood-stabilising neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Suggested experiences

• • Movement – yoga, pilates, personal training, swimming
  • Body – Hepburn Wellness Massage or Facial
  • Nutrition – adrenal-supporting foods rich in zinc and B vitamins, and serotonin-boosting options such as turkey, cheese, eggs, dairy, nuts, and seeds, complemented by chamomile tea at Smaller Holdings
  • Recovery – infrared sauna and compression boots
  • Sleep – restful accommodations in Novotel or Ibis rooms
  • Mindfulness – journaling and virtual meditation.

2. Ease the jet lag

Crossing time zones can wreak havoc on your circadian rhythm, leaving you wide-eyed at midnight and groggy at dawn. Physical activity is your ally here, helping reset your internal clock, boosting your energy levels, and easing you into the new time zone.

Higher State offers facilities and treatments that focus on the regulation of serotonin and melatonin, soothing the nervous system and promoting whole-body relaxation. Melatonin, in particular, eases the transition from wakefulness to sleep, making it a potent ally against jet lag.

Suggested Experiences

• • Movement – treadmill running
  • Body – Tranquillity Massage
  • Nutrition – magnesium and tryptophan-rich foods, along with sleep tea from Small Holdings
  • Recovery – infrared sauna and Remedy Facial
  • Sleep – Highlander Minerals Sleep Spray and Flow Wellness Soak
  • Mindfulness – pilates, virtual meditation, and yoga.

3. Rehydrate

The dry air of the cabin is a thief, robbing your body of moisture, leaving your skin parched and your muscles stiff. Rehydration is key, and a post-flight facial can be the perfect remedy, driving moisture deep into the skin and holding it there.

Suggested Experiences

• • Movement – pre/post workout stretching
  • Body – Hepburn Wellness Massage and Hydramemory Facial
  • Nutrition – coconut water from Small Holdings to replenish electrolytes
  • Recovery – compression boots to rebalance pH levels in the blood
  • Sleep – a sprinkle of pink salt in purified water for optimal hydration while sleeping
  • Mindfulness – virtual yoga.

4. Improve your gut health

As the plane ascends and descends, the pressure changes affect the gases within us, often wreaking havoc on our digestive system. A healthy gut is the foundation of good health, influencing everything from mood to immunity. Moderate exercise and a diet rich in fibre and fermented foods can help restore balance.

Suggested Experiences

• • Movement – personal training focused on core strength
  • Body – Muscle Focus Massage to enhance blood flow
  • Nutrition – fermented foods and high-fibre options from Small Holdings
  • Recovery – infrared sauna for detoxification
  • Sleep – a cup of hot water before bedtime
  • Mindfulness – virtual yoga session.

5. Improve circulation, ease stiffness and accelerate recovery

Long hours of sitting can make your body feel like a twisted knot, muscles tightening in protest. Gentle movement – yoga, stretching, or a brisk walk – can alleviate stiffness and improve circulation, reducing the risk of blood clots and swelling.

Higher State’s offerings support healthy detoxification, enhancing circulation to vital organs and tissues, reducing inflammation, and accelerating recovery.

Suggested Experiences

• • Movement – activities that induce sweating—running, pilates or virtual yoga
  • Body – compression boots and Hydramemory Facial
  • Nutrition – detoxifying foods such as cruciferous vegetables paired with lemongrass and ginger tea from Small Holdings
  • Recovery – infrared sauna sessions
  • Sleep – hot and cold showers with dry skin brushing before bed and upon waking
  • Mindfulness – virtual yoga classes.

By embracing these wellness strategies, Higher State at Melbourne Airport ensures that travellers can optimise their well-being before and after their flights. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a first-time visitor, or a local in need of a little self-care, Higher State invites you to step into a realm of rejuvenation.

higherstate.com.au
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