UK’s Ragdale Hall excels with 5* pampering & service

Ragdale Hall health hydro and thermal spa
by Emma Ashley
It is not surprising that Ragdale Hall has won an array of awards.  Their ethos for delivering outstanding service cannot be surpassed.  From first arrival, a team of professionals meet your every need from valet parking to individual tours of the facilities.

spa-treatments-uk.jpg

You are provided with a full schedule of your treatments and meals.  All you need to do is change out of your clothes into the robe provided, decide how you are going to begin to unwind and just relax.
Although Ragdale Hall was opened as a health farm in 1973, it is the multi-million pound renovation, which was opened in 2007, that has put it on the map.  From the exterior, it is Victorian architecture.  The interior is contemporary luxury.
exterior-on-a-cloudy-day.jpg
 It has been re-named as a Health Hydro and Thermal Spa with good reason.  There are five pools with the option to exercise or simply relax with massage jets, foot spas and waterfalls to relieve your aches and ease your mind.
You can swim inside or outside, or try the Candle Pool (with a strictly no talking policy) and float away in quiet contemplation.  11 heat facilities, from the volcanic salt bath to the scented heat room, provide you with a variety of sensory experiences, surrounding you in warmth and calm.  The experience shower lets you stand in a cold mist of rain or stand in a warm thunder storm.
colourflow-room_004.jpg
There is an endless supply of fluffy towels.  Shelves have been placed outside each of the heat rooms for you to place your glasses.  It is simple touches like these that make all the difference.   There are water fountains to quench your thirst throughout the facility.  There are water features and fountains.  And if at any time you need to rest your senses, there are plenty of nooks with big comfy chairs for you to escape to, to read a book, chat or just take in the Leicestershire landscape.
There is a fantastic selection of treatments, all performed by an experienced set of professionals.  Together, the team work like clockwork, ushering guests in and out of treatment rooms from the fabulous treatment reception area.  The range of treatments includes hair & fitness; the male zone; mums to be; hands & feet; body massage; face & eyes; all in one; holistic & health; and scrubs, tanning, floats, detox & wraps.  The hardest question you need to ask yourself is which treatment to take.
If you require a more energetic experience, there is a fully equipped gym and an excellent selection of classes to get your blood circulating such as Zumba or the Sunset Stretch, or perhaps tennis or croquet.
There is also the plenty of opportunity for your to shop if you so desire, with a the Boutique, Beauty Shop Gift Shop and Hair Studio.
The only issue that you may have is how to fit everything in.  From the time that you receive your revitalising breakfast in bed until your relaxing cup of tea after dinner, it could be easy to fall into the trap of having multiple treatments and trying to use every facility available to you, and end up not spending enough time just relaxing.
As you look about Ragdale, you will see every member of staff is polite and helpful and has a smile on their face.  They look like they enjoy their work.  If you then look at all the guests, everyone looks relaxed and happy.  That says it all really.  What more could you want.
Factbox
•Two night midweek breaks from £288 per person including all meals, inclusive treatments and use of facilities.
•Two night weekend breaks from £355.
•Day packages from £69 – £165.
Contact:
Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa
Ragdale Village, Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire  LE14 3B
Tel:  01664 434831
Reservations Direct Line: 01664 433000

Healthy lifestyle boosts anti-ageing enzyme

image

Los Angeles: A healthy diet, taking regular exercise and relaxing can boost levels of a longevity enzyme, say scientists.

In a new study scientists measured levels of the telomerase enzyme in men who were required to make positive lifestyle changes. The men were suffering from low-risk prostate cancer.

The patients ate a diet low in sugar and fats and rich in whole foods, fruits and vegetables. They were also required to walk at least 30 minutes daily and take part in anti-stress exercises.

The researchers, whose report has appeared in the medical journal, The Lancet Oncology, measured the amount of the enzyme after three months. The results revealed that levels in the blood has increased by 29 per cent , along with a drop in LDL(bad) cholesterol.
The bottom line is that the enzyme helps support the length of telomeres – these are tiny protectors of the DNA and keep inflammation and other ageing activity away from them. The length of telomeres is an indicator of biological ageing.

As people age, their telomeres get shorter and they become more susceptible to certain illnesses which are associated with ageing.

Experts believe this process is at the heart of many age-related diseases, and may even place a final limit on human lifespan.

Professor Dean Ornish, of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Sausalito, California, who led the study, said increases in telomerase levels were beneficial and could be quickly changed.

He said: “To our knowledge, we have reported here the first longitudinal study showing that comprehensive lifestyle changes – or any intervention – are significantly associated with increases in cellular telomerase activity levels.

“The implications of this study are not limited to men with prostate cancer.Comprehensive lifestyle changes may cause improvements in telomerase and telomeres that may be beneficial to the general population as well.Larger studies are needed.”