![<p><span>Book onto a </span><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.sharphamtrust.org/calendar/course/mindfulness-for-beginners"><span>Mindfulness for Beginners Retreat</span></a><span> at the Grade 1-listed Sharpham House, set in the beautiful Devon countryside beside the River Dart. The course teaches guests to appreciate, and be mindful of, the natural world and includes indoor and outdoor meditation sessions and yoga with periods of silence to help strengthen the practice. Three nights' full-board from £315pp. [Photo: The Sharpham Trust]</span> </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vIeKPXd0hp_WIaCNIgRtTg--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9MTI4MDtoPTk2MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/743455efa0c7b40869fd8704716beebc)
![<p><span>Feel your troubles float away as you paddle through the crystal clear waters in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand. A guided kayaking tour takes in the majestic beauty of the fiords around Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, and there's plenty of fresh water kayaking in the Whanganui River. For a thrill, head to the whitewater of the Rangitaiki or the Clutha. A one-day, guided tour with </span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.tka.co.nz/"><span>Taupo Kayaking Adventures</span></a><span> costs from £138 ($244). [Photo: Taupo Kayaking Adventures]</span> </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QpROSa2gsr0ZORalV8tQUQ--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9MTI4MDtoPTk2MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/7bd55470975ab69e37bc273b95b4c1f7)
![<p><span>Could there be a better way to detox the body than breathing in fresh mountain air and taking in incredible views in the Himalayas? Try one of the new 'Head in the Clouds' journeys from </span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.shaktihimalaya.com/"><span>Shakti Himalaya</span></a><span>, which combine walking in the Himalayan foothills with an education in mindfulness. You're led through little-known villages by a personal yoga and meditation teacher who will help you reach a state of calm against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Eight days' full-board from £4,702. [Photo: Shakti Himalaya] </span> </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/A7qXE8uwf139fulrP1I6KQ--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NzIyO2g9NDA3/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/4f7e394f76675d0f2ab4251aad8358d0)
![<p><span>To switch off from daily stresses, book </span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Peak-District-Peak-District-Derbyshire-Dales-Hepworth/The-Rowan-Yurt-917044.html"><span>this secluded yurt in Hepworth</span></a><span>, not far from the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales. Inside there's no wi-fi, TV or phone, but there are oodles of homely and romantic features such as a wood-burning stove and private hot tub. There's a lovely pub nearby and walks start straight from your doorstep. Three nights from £383. [Photo: Skyes Cottages]</span> </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OgGQX53RQId1w3UxyNGQaQ--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9MTI4MDtoPTk2MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/d0fb23132f15f0a73aa9989cf133f766)
![<p><span>Expel some energy while feeling at one with Mother Nature, on a bodyboarding trip to Costa Rica. </span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bodyboard-holidays.com/the-holidays/north-south-america/costa-rica/"><span>Bodyboard Holidays</span></a><span> has week-long trips to the beautiful shores of Santa Teresa, where other activities include waterfall hikes, canopy tours of the rainforest, snorkelling, fishing, horse riding and yoga. Or simply unwind between bodyboarding sessions with a good book on the beach. Eight days from £749. [Photo: Bodyboard Holidays]</span> </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/D3c0c3yI_ECHcUAQIbpaJw--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9MTI4MDtoPTk2MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/56062d91720c72ca4d3c0c3b40ea994a)
Get 2017 off to a healthy start: 14 of the best detox breaks
The festive period - with all its food, drink and slouching about on the sofa - is about to draw to a close. Which is probably a good thing for our bodies. As you brush the last mince pie crumbs from your Christmas jumper, take a look at these holidays, which will get the new year off to a healthy start. From foraging to fasting, Costa Rica to the Cotswolds, here are 14 of the best detox breaks in the UK and abroad.
