All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
For context, Im verybad at relaxing.
Casey Gueren
I have a year-old spa gift card collecting dust on my dresser.
Even my workouts skew on thehigh-intensityside.
Basically, being still and chill is not one of my strong suits.
The Spa at Encore
Sounds fake, but OK.
But I was open to changing my perspective.
I assumed that the goal was to prove that Vegas is more than just gambling and partying and hangovers.
Yoga with the dolphins at The Mirage
(Big, if true!)
Meanwhile,mygoal was to see if I could actually let myself relax for a change.
Then we toasted with champagne before remembering this wasnt that kind of Vegas trip.
The first day we went straight to a spa, one of nearly 30 on the Las Vegas Strip.
And honestly, wandering around a Las Vegas resort while most people were still sleeping was delightful.
Youll get out what you put in, he said.
Something about that reminder jolted us back into the present moment.
He was rightthiswas the thing on our agenda today.
It wasnt something we were squeezing in before hitting the pool or the casinos or the clubs.
This was literally what we came to Vegas for: to be fully present in our self-care.
Totally unprecedented for me.
Why did no one tell me this was a thing you could do?
I never want to doyogawithoutdolphins now.
Have you ever opened your eyes during half moon pose and seen a literal dolphin staring at you?
Its the best thing ever.
It was beautiful and serene and so not what I expect from Vegas.
By this point I completely forgot about all the other reasons people come to Vegas.
There was no part of me that wanted to rage.
I was probably the most at peace I had been in months.
It wasand I cant stress this enoughfucking magical.
It was like yoga, a ferris wheel ride, and a therapy session all rolled into one.
When our little sphere reached its highest point, Benson instructed us to set an intention.
I needed to start scheduling self-care the same way I make time for work events and parties with friends.
Will I hit four different spas on my next trip to Vegas?
No, probably not.
Over the last year, Ive tried to keep that intention top of mind.
Im still an inherently un-chill person, but Im finding ways to be more chill when I can.
Its a practice, after all.
You get out what you put in.
