Over the years I’ve spent a lot of money on my wellbeing. Occasionally it’s come from a place of desperation (recovering from cancer, dealing with peri-menopause) but I’ve always been a fierce advocate for prioritising my wellbeing over other expenses, having been faced with a life-threatening disease at a young age. 

Thankfully, many wellbeing modalities can be accessible for many (breath work, nature, even something pricey like contrast therapy can be free if you work up a sweat and jump in some clean, cold water). Others, however, can cost a fortune. 

My largest expense is probably exercise; since hitting my late-40s, I’ve been doing strength training at 09 Thrive which has been incredible and is a genuinely inclusive, supportive environment. 

I still adore reformer pilates and think Core Collective is the best there is, and Sala has the most consistently good yoga in Tāmaki. Outside of this, I love contrast therapy at Hana as a very rare treat. Regular massages are now outside my budget, and honestly, it sounds trite, but getting my coloured and blowwaved at Colleen every couple of months does more for my spirits than anything!

But we are all made differently, and wellness is a buffet. What will work for one person won’t necessarily sit well with another. So I asked a handful of the best people in the biz: what’s your wellbeing essential, at any price?

Jessica Roimata Clarke, co-founder Mother Made and model

Massages, cold plunges and infrared saunas. It might sound a bit bougie, but recovery is key. I once got my dad a massage voucher, and he let it expire because he was saving it for a “special occasion.” I love that old-school mentality, but I’m glad people are now starting to see self-care differently. I’m unapologetic about prioritising my health – whether it’s a massage, sauna or plunge, I aim for at least one of these practices each week.

Maia Svadlenak-Gardiner, podcaster and wellbeing advocate

Reformer pilates is my favourite form of movement and has been so good for my nervous system after chronic burn-out. My favourite treat is a Mirimiri (traditional Māori massage). I aim to get one mirimiri a month; I’m currently going to Wai-Mauri based in Kirikiriroa. 

Sarah Lindsay, owner Sala Studio

Yoga and female friendships. Yoga is my ultimate modality, where I first connected with movement, and it remains my anchor for grounding. I prioritise my female friendships because they’re the most healing of all. Whether we’re sharing a sauna, hitting a class together or unloading over a glass of wine, these connections are invaluable. My ultimate treat is a buccal facial with Kate at Kumo. I tend to clench my jaw when stressed, which can mess with my sleep, but this facial releases that tension and leaves my skin glowing – pretty good for a sleep-deprived, 36-year-old toddler mom.

Chantal Cuthers, NZ registered nutritionist

A close fight between going to the gym and a facial – my favourite music blasting and some heavy weights and no one asking me to do anything for them, and the slow relaxation of someone else holding space and feeling that glow up. 

Zoe Hobbs, Olympian

My favourite recovery modality is magnesium baths for parasympathetic facilitation. Doing these helps me to down-regulate. As a sprinter I am operating on full throttle – stressing the nervous and muscular systems with the work and training I'm doing. Magnesium baths at home are an easy and inexpensive modality to help assist with muscle recovery, help me to relax, switch off and assist me with better sleep. 

Monique Fiso, chef 

It would have to be getting a massage. My mahi is very physical and it can take a toll on my body. I try to visit a masseuse every few months. It’s incredibly relaxing and restorative.

Megan May, founder Little Bird Organics

Acupuncture would be my go-to wellbeing modality – I wish I could go every week. Finding a really good acupuncturist that you resonate with can be life changing, it helps me bring my stress levels down which makes everything a little easier - sleep quality improves and there is the bonus of working on any physical tension I have.  

Karen Walker, fashion designer

A massage/physio/osteo appointment for a general tune up once a month would keep me pretty happy - just to keep the aches and pains from too much screen time at bay – though, if I’m disciplined with scheduling stretching times and yoga I can keep them under control.

Lucy Vincent, founder Sans Ceuticals

An ice bath and sauna. You feel so great afterwards!

Julia Matthews, founder and director Two Islands

I’m really enjoying the classes at Sala, which is conveniently located in the same building as our office. Reformer pilates is a favourite, and I’ve also been trying out the new Chroma classes for a higher-intensity workout. I also make it a point to catch up with my close girlfriends over dinner once a month. It’s a great way to unwind and stay connected.

Libby Boxall, naturopath, nutritionist and founder Milou Beauty and Dose & Co. 

I recently joined a reformer pilates studio and it’s been the best money spent. I’ve tried many exercise classes and online classes which I can get bored of. Reformer pilates is such a challenging workout but a lot of fun. I try to go four times per week and it’s something that I look forward to. My strength, mobility and fitness levels have vastly improved, and my core is finally back to pre-baby strength. 

Emma Wehipeihana, doctor (surgical registrar) 

I aspire to get to pilates and/or yoga at Sala in Grey Lynn, near where I live, 2-3 times per week. Some weeks I manage to get there once and just have to make do with being on my feet most of the day for exercise. I exercise for mental health and always feel better when I manage to do it. 

Keva Stanley, founder and designer at recently closed Papa Clothing

I've been told recently (and I'm sure most of us need to hear this) that the route of 90% of my issues atm are down to high stress levels so I've started swimming 50 lengths every Monday morning, yin yoga every Friday and plenty of time with my and my wife’s families. And we have chickens which we've just started letting out to frolic in the back yard so watching them is a new wellbeing treat I've just unlocked.

Dr Libby Weaver, nutritional biochemist, author and speaker

Spending time where I am uncontactable, disconnected from devices and all their rings and pings. Oh, and a blow dry.

Brodie Kane, broadcaster 

I cannot get enough of the sauna/ice bath combo at the moment at my local O-Studio, but my absolute ultimate source of relaxation is a deep tissue massage. I'd have one every day if I could!

Damian Chaparro, founder Aro Ha Wellness Retreat 

I love thermal stress practices. It can be as simple as alternating hot and cold in the shower, or as glorious as a cold lake plunge and sauna session. The hormetic benefits for heart and mental health are undeniable, and each experience offers a powerful opportunity to grow through discomfort.

Jane Cronin, medical herbalist and naturopath Clinicians 

Exercise is my way of unwinding and mental relaxation, as well as staying strong, fit and flexible. Generally, I go after work and process my day and zone out while I exercise, which is why I often find myself at the wrong station sometime in my F45 gym class! I also love the outdoors so at the weekend I unwind (or get really irritated) playing golf. I play with a great group of women and it’s always lovely to enjoy a drink and socialising afterwards.

Petra Bagust, podcaster, media chaplain

Massage – ideally a lower back massage. I prefer a strong therapeutic technique and even when it's really intense it feels super helpful for days afterwards and I am finally doing it more regularly, even when my body isn’t sore.

Makanaka Tuwe, researcher, storyteller, cultural producer and founder of Sesa Mathlo Apothecary 

It’s definitely some time on my mat. I find the practice of African Kemetic Yoga and its different components nourishing. Whether I’m seeking strength or restoration, the different flows can hold me in the different seasons. 

Niki Bezzant, journalist; menopause and women’s health advocate

The thing I think is essential is strength training. I think of it as future-proofing my health - it’s great for helping me hold on to muscle (which we lose as we hit midlife and menopause) and it’s great for my bones, brain, heart and mood. I do one session a week with a trainer - an expense I prioritise - and one session at home, which is free. The focus is on working heavy, really challenging the muscles. 

Tanné Snowden, founder Tronque

An infrared red sauna. An instant detox, it also increases circulation, encourages muscle recovery and I always look brighter and relaxed afterwards. I love the saunas at Hana as it’s such a calm and welcoming space where each sauna is private. I love to use Tronque’s Ionic Dry Body Brush before saunaing as it stimulates lymphatic drainage, increases circulation and creates negative ions.

Jase Te Patu, founder Hauora Aotearoa, international speaker, mental health advocate

It has to be a visit to the Recovery Hub in Lower Hutt. It's a one-stop shop for all your wellbeing needs – compression, lymphatic rollers, saunas, cold therapy, float tanks and massages. I love the spaciousness and opportunity to kōrero with others. There is a community vibe building there!