My Little Black Book Of Wellness: Salina Handa
Self-Care Philosophy
“In the early years, I used to think a massage or facial every now and then was wellness. Fast forward 20 years, and it’s so much deeper than that. For me now, self-care is about everything from setting boundaries and chasing curiosity to daily meditation, understanding my cycle, gut health and energy levels. Running SENSASIA taught me that wellness isn’t a luxury – it’s a non-negotiable and it has to evolve with you as you evolve. I’ve gone from spa rituals to full-body recalibrations to meditation retreats with Dr. Joe Dispenza. Today, wellness is less about how I look and far more about how I feel.”
The Journey Into Wellness
“Honestly, I thought, how hard can it be to run a spa? But I’ve always been obsessed with travel, pampering and beautiful spaces that make people feel held. After studying business and marketing in Boston, I left the corporate world to build a boutique day spa – offering an experience that was still missing in Dubai at the time: warmth, intimacy and a true sense of escape. That little idea turned into a 20-year passion project.
“From the start, I’ve stayed true to the belief that wellness should feel sensual and deeply personal – with real results. Whether someone comes in for deep tissue or energetic release, they’re not here to be ‘sold’ wellness – they’re here to feel something real. Touch therapy, to me, will always outshine any technological alternative – especially today, when true human connection has become the rarest luxury of all.”
Morning Rituals
“These days, my day starts with stillness. So that 30-minute quiet time first thing is sacred. Meditation is a wellness habit I never skip in the morning. Even if it’s just 20 minutes, I need that space before the chaos kicks in. It resets my nervous system, sharpens my intuition and reminds me who’s in charge of my day. Then, I guzzle about 800ml of water (slightly chaotic, but it works), eat something light and finally indulge in my beloved coffee with collagen and creatine before a workout. I used to jump straight into emails, work or the kids. Now, I ease in and own the morning before the day owns me. I will always choose coffee over tea, without question. But it’s part of a ritual now. I add a scoop of collagen, a splash of coconut milk, and a little creatine – it’s less about the caffeine and more about nourishing from the inside out. That said, don’t speak to me before it.”
@SENSASIA_Spas
Skincare Favourites
“I’m all about tuning into what my skin actually needs rather than sticking to a rigid routine. I’m obsessed with Natura Bissé – its Essential Shock Intense Cream in winter and Diamond Cocoon in warmer months. I also use its Diamond Cocoon Hydrating Essence and Extreme Serum. A little Rodial Bee Venom Eye Cream and a few drops of IS Clinical’s tinted SPF. Oh, and never underestimate a great dry brush – mine’s from Elemis.”
Go-To Treatments
“I’m lucky – having a spa is part of the job! My go-to combo is the Diamond Revive facial, created by Natura Bissé just for SENSASIA Spas. It’s a deep clean with zero downtime, and has the best glow. Then, I follow up with its 3D Collagen Facial the following month to defy gravity a little.”
Beauty Must-Haves
“I can’t live without collagen. I add it to my morning coffee (currently loving Vital Proteins or The Pause Life) and my skin drinks it up when it’s in my products. I’m also never without my Hyaluronic Acid serum from The Ordinary – simple, affordable and it works.”
Movement & Recovery
“I like a mix of structured workouts and intuitive movement – a bit of both. I’m a total Pilates junkie – STOTT trained, in fact – but I don’t teach, I just love the practice. I also train with weights for bone health. Not because I love it, but because I’m told I need to. A magnesium soak, CBD balm on the heels and a full switch-off from screens, when possible, are my favourite ways to recover after a long day or a workout. I love being home before the sunset, lighting a beautiful SENSASIA candle, taking a long shower, slathering on oils and pretending I have no responsibilities. Bonus points if I have time to get bored and faff around before bedtime.”
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Favourite Retreats
“I’ll always have a soft spot for Chiva-Som in Thailand. Recently, I tried Zulal by Chiva-Som in Doha recently and it was lovely. But lately, I’ve been leaning into retreats for the mind and each one cracks something open for me. There’s real science behind it, which makes it easier for my brain to commit.”
Food Philosophy & Supplements
“I’ve tried everything – paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free – but now I just follow what works for me. I eat well, cook a lot and don’t obsess. I live by the 80/20 rule – red wine is a non-negotiable, I’m convinced it works with my body and I’m going with it. I love anything I can assemble like a ritual – think clean protein, clean whole grains, avocado or some raw veggies and a good healthy fat drizzle of some sort. My current line-up of supplements includes 1st Phorm Greens, The Pause Life Collagen, Vital Proteins collagen, Wild Nutrition Ashwagandha and Magnesium, CBD drops and sleep patches from KLORIS. I also use HeartMath tools to help regulate stress and breathing – it’s biofeedback magic.”
Evening Rituals
“My evening wind-down ritual consists of magnesium, CBD drops, KLORIS sleep patches and eye masks by Manta. I love small rituals – they signal to my brain that it’s safe to switch off. I also love Kloris’s CBD balm for extra relaxation. I’m a bit of a candle snob, I rotate between Diptyque, Cire Trudon and Lumira – scent is such a powerful emotional anchor. I also love the SENSASIA Spas candles we have added to our range; I Live For The Islands and Put On Something Sexy are my current favourites.”
Holistic Rituals & Self-Care Moments
“Chi Nei Tsang is a game-changer – an abdominal massage that clears emotional blockages and boosts digestion. I loved it so much that I brought in a specialist and added it to our SENSASIA Spas menu. I’m also obsessed with ice globes for the face – they de-puff, lift and work as the perfect primer before a night out. But my ultimate self-care moment? A heated spa bed, a treatment that ends with tea, soft lighting and absolutely no decisions to make. When it comes to relaxation, nothing beats a deep, intuitive massage – no frills, just the right hands and perfect pressure. Even after 20 years, our SENSASIA Spas Signature Build Your Own Massage still does it for me.”
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Diptyque
Wellness Discoveries
“The most recent unique wellness therapy I’ve tried recently was an electric lymphatic drainage treatment I tried in Phuket. It worked in one session, which would usually take five with manual drainage. I also recently added the Eight Sleep mattress (thanks to my very keen husband) and this has completely changed the way I sleep. No more night wake-ups, as it adjusts the temperature, cooling or heating the bed based on your body’s temperatures in real time. I saw Halle Berry talking about it somewhere and we got one. It has improved my deep sleep by almost 30% in just a month.”
Mindfulness & Balance
“I practice meditation daily, especially after attending a few retreats in the last few years. It’s now something I crave, not force. I also journal occasionally, but meditation is the one I’m trying to anchor. Sleep, movement and breathwork all help me with maintaining balance and reducing stress. Also, surrounding myself with people who let me be soft when I need to. Balance isn’t something I ‘manage’ – it’s something I protect.”
Travel Kit
“In my wellness kit when I travel are my Manta Eye Masks, HeartMath sensor, noise-cancelling headphones, CBD sleep patches and balm, the Dyson Corrale (non-negotiable), my go-to supplements and a few mini muscle release tools. You’ll always find magnesium in there somewhere.”
Best Wellness Advice Ever Received
“It sounds simple, but it cuts through all the noise: ‘Do what makes you feel good. You’ll know – you’ll feel it.’ Ignore the trends, skip the gimmicks, and just do you.”
Follow @SALINAHANDA & @SENSASIA_SPAS
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