Ibiza Summer 2024: Balancing Health and Hedonism

I’m sure, like many Ibiza inhabitants, I find it much easier to prioritise my health and well-being during the winter months. Slower weekdays. Weekend hikes with friends followed by relaxed lunches at C'as Pagés. And then, it feels as though things change almost overnight. For me, the reopening of Six Senses at the beginning of April is the first jolt into RoseBar’s busy months. The luxury of spending hours doing admin in the hyperbaric chamber comes to an end. Our clinic’s team triples in size as we prepare to welcome hotel guests and clients on programmes as well as our loyal locals. 

Nothing could have prepared me for navigating this transition during my first year in Ibiza. There were days when I loved the energy of the island and days when it exhausted me. Learning how to manage this is still a work in progress and I’m always curious to pick up tips from those with far more experience than me. 

Here are a few ways that I’m planning to strike a balance this season. Perhaps they’ll prompt you to consider your own summer well-being strategies. 

Prioritise sleep

The combination of lighter nights and all those event invitations can mean later nights and less sleep. When we don’t sleep enough it can seriously impact our mental and physical health. I cannot overstate the importance of getting enough good quality sleep. I’m a big fan of health wearables like the Whoop strap or Oura ring. There’s no getting away from those sleep stats and the prompts to catch up on sleep when needed. As much as possible, I cap the number of times I’m out for the evening to a maximum of two nights per week. If I’ve hit my limit by Friday, it’s likely to be a low-key weekend for me. 

Eating out 

It’s a lot easier to control the quality of the food you eat when you cook most of it yourself. Less so if you’re eating out a lot. I say to my clients, if you eat out once a month, go ahead and have whatever you like. If you’re eating out a couple of times a week or more, you can’t get away with a free-for-all every time. One tip I share with my clients is to check a restaurant’s menu ahead of time. This gives you the headspace to identify healthier options before you arrive at a restaurant and get distracted chatting to friends. Having a light, healthy snack before you arrive can help reduce the appeal of that pan con aioli.

Manage friends' expectations

If you live in Ibiza and have friends who come out to visit you for holidays, you will likely be all too familiar with the scenario. Your friend(s) turn up ready to make the most of what the island has to offer. You, on the other hand, cannot constantly be in island exploration mode when you have friends/family visiting every other weekend. I find that being clear with visitors about what they can expect from me is key. Consider capping the amount of nights you let people stay with you and how long you need to recuperate in between visitors. Decide ahead of time how many nights you’re happy to join them in going out. Setting boundaries from the outset helps avoid disappointment. Oh, and don’t forget to make sure they leave room in their suitcase for that thing you love but can’t get hold of on the island. (That’s Tea Pigs Mao Feng Green Tea bags for me, in case you were wondering.)

Take time out when you need to

If things start to get a little too much, take a step back where you can. It’s so easy to get caught up in the frenetic energy that summer brings with it. Journaling and meditation can provide ways to check in with yourself and observe when you’re reaching your capacity. The key is to recognise the onset of overwhelm before you hit full-on burnout. If you feel like you need help in this department, Ibiza has no shortage of excellent life coaches. Lydia Kimmerling and Sally Wright are the two I refer to most.