Maria Katrina Paras

Article (news)

Okada Wellness Staycation

<p>Sometime this year, I made a resolution to take mini vacations within the year. Not weeks-long trips abroad, nothing grand, nothing too planned. With how dizzying things are these days, I know it&#x27;s vital that I slow down and recover from life&#x27;s daily grind. </p><p>Some days I just make &quot;mini vacations&quot; at home—I do a longer bath with body scrubs, body oils, and do a hair treatment mask. After that, I cook my own meal, savor it, and enjoy the process. I also take naps (lots of them), book a home massage, indulge in a nice movie (I just saw the Japanese film &#x27;Perfect Days&#x27; recently), and head to sleep early. I consider days like this a quick break from the weekly grind, and I try to have it often. </p><p>Other days, I say yes to a quick getaway out of town—2 days, 3 nights in a beach resort, savoring nature and taking things slow. Other days, mini vacations simply mean choosing to read a book over an e-book, or simply sitting outside to stare at the sky. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762840651759Mini vacations.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><p>According to <a href="https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/study-breaks-stress-busters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cornell Health</a>, &quot;taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5–60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.&quot; Often, we feel like we have to keep going with no breaks to get our to-do lists done faster, but in reality, taking a break may actually help you get it all done faster and better. And no, scrolling on social media doesn&#x27;t cut it—your brain isn&#x27;t really resting when it&#x27;s getting constantly bombarded with Instagram and TikTok memes. </p><p>So when I feel like I have been on a long work streak for far too long, I try to carve out some time to take a break so that I can keep going without getting burnt out. That&#x27;s exactly what I did recently when I took a mini vacation in Okada Manila, where I got to spend three days and two nights disconnecting and getting a much-needed breather.</p><p>Just like my regular mini vacations, I stayed in the city but made the most of it. Okada Manila is about 50 minutes away from my house in Paranaque, so it&#x27;s not really a long trip. What I love about their property, though, is that it looks and feels like a resort vacation, even if you&#x27;re just in the metro. Expansive ocean views and lots of greenery make for a great environment for rest and relaxation.</p><p>During my quick staycation, here&#x27;s what I realized:</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>1. I can feel like I&#x27;m on vacation even if I&#x27;m just in the city</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><p>I don&#x27;t need to travel far to feel like I&#x27;m on vacation. I can go to a hotel as beautiful as the Okada Manila, book a beautiful room overlooking the ocean, and not have a care in the world for a few days. Apart from the obvious, the little details in this hotel made the stay even more special. Beds and pillows that are conducive to deep sleep, your own private hot tub, having time to disconnect from the digital world, and being immersed in the beauty of the facilities. To me, it felt like a real getaway that I needed as I approached the busy 4th quarter of the year.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762846079212Okada 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2. Resting can mean enjoying the little things.</strong></div><p>I don&#x27;t have to have an elaborate itinerary to enjoy a mini vacation. I realized that the days can go by without much structure and still be enjoyable. I, instead, focused on the little moments like enjoying a slice of pizza, staring at the sunset, getting my steps in inside the mall, having dessert after a meal without regretting it, and taking a longer shower than my usual 5 minutes. It&#x27;s really the little things!<strong></strong><br/></p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762847096978Okada 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>3. Food</strong> <strong>can mean rest—especially when it&#x27;s whole, real food.</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><p>Let&#x27;s face it, food can sometimes feel tedious when we&#x27;re trying to eat healthy amidst a busy lifestyle. The prep can take a bit more effort, and oftentimes, you end up eating less-than-ideal meals on a daily basis. During my mini vacations, I make sure to eat more whole, nutritious food. In Okada, I helped myself to the abundance of hydroponic greens for my salads, fresh sashimi at their premium Japanese restaurant Kappou Yoshi, rich vegetarian Indian food, comforting bowls of jjampong at Goryeo, and legit Carbonara pasta at La Piazza! While I did not put myself on a restrictive diet during this stay, I made sure my body was getting the nourishments it so badly needs.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762847578524Okada 3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>4. Never underestimate the power of a good massage.</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><p>When was the last time you booked yourself an indulgent session at a premier spa like The Retreat Spa in Okada? The Forbes 5-star awarded spa for three consecutive years continues to pride itself on the best amenities in the city, well-trained therapists, and a guaranteed rejuvenating time. I&#x27;ve been to this spa a total of three times already, and it never disappoints. Ridding my muscles of soreness was much-needed, so I asked my therapist to focus on those—my shoulders and back, as those parts carry most of the stress I accumulate on a daily basis. My advice? Make room for a massage weekly—your body will thank you for it!</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762848125413Okada 4.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/><strong></strong><br/></div><div><strong></strong><strong>5. I deserve to experience good things in life.</strong></div><p>With this staycation, I simply realized to embrace the blessings that come my way and allow myself to experience them fully. Every moment, every bite, every step, and every new chance I come across. All of these are gifts that came at this point in time in my life, and I must not waste them. I don&#x27;t have to think of what I need to do to earn it. To simply be grateful. This is wellbeing for me.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762848900099Okada 5.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded"/></div>

Editor's Diaries: What I Realized About Wellness After This City Staycation

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Editor's Diaries: What I Realized About Wellness After This City Staycation

Kate Paras-Santiago

Published November 11, 2025 04:00 PM PHT

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Updated November 11, 2025 04:44 PM PHT

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