The first thing you notice, before you even enter the Health House, is the sheer majesty of the building. I love old Victorian homes and this one is simply awe inspiring. It really captures the soul of Milford. I could just sit out here staring as my meditation, but no, they’re waiting for me. I’m going in.

 

Oh wow, it’s even more beautiful inside. Regal even, and yet also calming. It’s like entering into another world. I see a small yoga class saluting the sun. Mmm they look more graceful than when I do it. That’s not why I’m here though. I’ve got some serious self-care ahead of me. The person at reception greets me with a smile and I make my way over. Looks like my online booking all went smoothly, as they have all my details and consent forms pre-signed. I take a seat and have a quick forage through their collection of health books – a few familiar titles, and a bunch more I’d like to take a look at, but I’m not left waiting long before I’m walked down to my first treatment…

 

“SuperEarthing”

 

I’ve got a basic understanding of what to expect – from what I gather, I lie here and let the bed work its magnetic magic on me – and that’s essentially what my guide steps me through in a little more detail. This one apparently helps with circulation and relaxation with Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field Therapy, while my legs get wobbled for a form of passive massage. I’m up for it. I lie back, I kick my shoes off and lie on my back while my ankles are cradled in a “qi machine”, which essentially just moves my legs from side to side to achieve a goldfish-style movement down the spine. It’s strange, but comforting. You soon get used to it. The PEMF itself has no sensation. Not that I can feel, anyway. Once I’m hooked up and settled in, I’m left with my own private space and I soon bliss out to some binaural beats through the headphones provided, while I wobble away for the remainder of the 20 minute session…

 

OK, so that was phenomenal. Something happened at the end there that’s hard to put into words. There were whole-body tingles like I’ve never experienced before - the good kind, but nothing kinky. Whatever it was, I want me some more of that. It had me so chilled out it was like I was in a total bubble of comfort that I was in no hurry to leave. It takes me a few minutes to come back to Earth. I sit up, but I’m still so completely relaxed that I just float on over to a bench to wait as my guide returns. They check in to make sure I’m feeling ok. I must look like I’m out of it, but I’m feeling a-mazing! And I’m only getting started.

 

Oh two

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I’m about to get my oxygen on. Now this room looks a lot like any other private gym space, but with the addition of more tech. I have a choice of machines: rower, bike, treadmill or whole-body-vibration. They described the whole-body-vibration as “passive exercise”. I don’t know what that means exactly, but passive anything sounds like my jam. They walk me through it. It looks like some kind of teleport device straight off the Enterprise. The gist though: I stand, it vibrates, and that counts as exercise. Sold! I’m going to be stripping off down to my underwear for this one apparently, as I’m surrounded by red light panels for inflammation and they need skin exposure. So I’m essentially getting a tutorial in how to operate all this on my own. Oh boy. Do they know my track record with tech? Actually, it’s not that bad. I just need to turn everything on after they’ve left and I’ve gotten naked. They help to fit me with an oxygen mask first though, which has me looking like a jet fighter pilot. Apparently the aim of the game is for me to breathe through as much of the 900L bag of near-pure-oxygen in front of me as possible. I’ve got 20 minutes… let’s go!

 

Here I am in naked pilot mode with all my bits jiggling and glowing red. Its not exactly a natural sensory experience, but I’m digging it. I can feel the machine working out different parts of the body as it speeds up and slows down rhythmically. I’m working up a bit of a sweat, but not a lot. A glistening, if you will. While I zone out to a virtual hike on the screen in front of me, I will say, it’s got to be the most relaxing workout experience I’ve had – once you get past that initial oddness of being thrust into a bright red earthquake, with a gas mask on, that is. I’m making it sound worse than it is. I can actually feel my back and neck clicking into place, and I just relax into the new experience. The 20 minutes fly by. I’ve gotten through half the oxygen bag. Apparently that’s pretty standard. Next time, I’ll try the treadmill or something that’s a bit more active and I’m sure I’ll power through that bag in no time. Everything looks blue for a while, but my eyes soon adjust back to normal. I’m dressed again now and moving on. How do I feel? Loose and relaxed, but energized and alert. Maybe this is what normal is supposed to feel like? I do feel like I’ve had a workout, but I’m not the usual picture of a wheezing, spluttering sweat-fest. I’m not sore from it either. Actually, come to think of it, I’m not sore at all. My neck and shoulders usually have a dull-ache, but that’s gone. Score!

 

Sauna time!

 

I do love a good sauna, but I’m not a group sauna person. Public nudity isn’t exactly my idea of relaxing. Even with robes, I prefer my own space. And here, I get it. This is a private sauna, just for me. Minimal guidance is needed for this one, aside from how to adjust the temp, if I so desire, and how to use what must be the fanciest shower I have ever seen. I’m nude-ing up again, with a nest of towels to perch in. And let me just check… yep – they’re organic cotton, as claimed! Fair-trade too. These guys are really on to it. No detail left unnoticed so far. I’m lovin’ this place. This is no ordinary sauna though - this is their “Super-Sauna”. There’s red light therapy panels in here too. These are more for skin-health and anti-inflammatory apparently, and I could do with more of that. So it is a lot brighter than a regular infrared sauna, but its red, so it’s still cozy enough. Again, you soon get used to it.The heat envelops me in a gentle, yet powerful hug. The red light creates an atmosphere that’s both soothing and somewhat surreal. I close my eyes, allowing the warmth and light to penetrate my skin, working their magic. The air is fragrant with a subtle hint of essential oils, enhancing the experience with a sense of calm and relaxation. Think of basking in the glow of a sunset, surrounded by tranquility.As the minutes tick by, I find my thoughts drifting away. The worries of the day, the endless to-do lists, they all melt away with the sweat that beads on my forehead and slides down my skin. This is a moment of pure, unadulterated relaxation, a time to reconnect with myself on a deeper level. The combination of heat and light therapy feels rejuvenating, as if each cell in my body is being gently awakened and revitalized.After what feels like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, I decide it's time to wrap up my sauna session. I stand, my movements delightfully slothful, as I make my way to the fancy shower. The water feels like a refreshing cascade, washing away the sweat and leaving me feeling incredibly clean and refreshed. The contrast between the heat of the sauna and the coolness of the shower invigorates me further, adding to the overall sense of well-being and vitality. I spritz a little shower-steamer spray provided and feel my airways clear. Ahhhh.

 

And for the grand finale, I’ve been invited to add a bonus experience to my visit: the cold-plunge pool. I’ve heard about the health benefits of cold therapy – improved circulation, reduced muscle inflammation, and even an enhanced mood from the release of endorphins. I won’t lie; the idea is slightly daunting, but after the warmth of the sauna, it feels like the perfect contrast to cap off my day of extreme self-care.

 

Taking the plunge

 

The cold-plunge pool is located in a serene corner of the sauna room, and surrounded by its own tranquil indoor garden. The setting is peaceful, almost inviting, despite the chill that I know awaits me. My guide explains the process – a quick plunge, no more than a few minutes for starters, to shock the body and stimulate the benefits. They assure me it’s a revitalizing experience that many guests find surprisingly enjoyable.Taking a deep breath, I step towards the pool. The water looks crystal clear, almost inviting if you ignore the temperature. I remind myself of the benefits, steel my nerves, and step in. Eeek! It takes all those nerves to lower myself in. Why am I doing this again?! The cold is immediate and intense, enveloping me like an icy embrace. My breath stops, and for a moment, I can’t think about anything else but the cold. But then, I start to acclimate. My breathe returns, deepens, becomes more deliberate. The initial shock fades, replaced by a feeling of exhilarating clarity and alertness.I’m not saying I wasn’t grateful for the sound of the timer though. I step out of the pool, my skin tingling with a mixture of cold and newfound energy. It’s a rush like no other, a vivid reminder of my own vitality. I wrap myself in a warm towel, the sensation of the plush fabric against my skin now amplified. The contrast between the cold plunge and my natural warmth that inches its way back is nothing short of euphoric.Feeling refreshed and with a sense of accomplishment, I make my way downstairs to the waiting lounge.

 

But wait, there’s more!

 

My guide has a very welcome cup of wellness tea waiting and a bonus BioCharger session while I sip my way back to earth.This one is like a futuristic camp fire. I just have to sit here ini front of it and my cells get recharged. That’s about as much as I remember. My guide did explain it well, I’m just too zen to take it in. Aside from a few light tingles in an old injury, this one is an incredibly passive. Welcomely so though, as I wasn’t ready to leave and needed those few minutes to check in with myself and prepare my mind for the world outside that now awaits me.

 

The combination of treatments – the grounding of the Super-Earthing, the vitality from the O2 session, the deep relaxation of the Super-Sauna, and the invigorating shock of the cold-plunge – has left me feeling more alive than I have in a long time. I’m not just relaxed; I’m rejuvenated, with a sense of balance and well-being that I hadn’t realized I was missing. I’m in awe of what they’ve created here, both with the space, and my new sense of well-being.

 

They mentioned a new experience upstairs too – a “dream-state meditation tool”, and talk of a sound-healing room, both of which would be a delightful way to round out everything I’ve experienced today, but I need no extra reason to return. I know I’ll be back. Who knows, maybe I’ll even squeeze in a massage too for the ultimate spa day!As I checkout, say my goodbyes and thank the staff for their exceptional care, I step out of the Health House with a profound sense of gratitude. The stellar Victorian building that had initially drawn me in now feels like a symbol of my own rejuvenation – a place where the old can be made new, where balance and health are nurtured. With a final glance back at the Health House, I find myself already planning my next visit, eager to explore more of what this unique sanctuary has to offer.