Holiday hangover: You deserve a break today

-- Reuters does not endorse or recommend any of the companies or properties listed in this column. They have not been vetted by Reuters. This is merely a sampling of what is available for those interested in a health-focused vacation. Readers are encouraged to fully investigate each company before making any choices. --

By Terri Coles

TORONTO (Reuters) -- If your December celebrations involve some overindulgence along with a packed schedule, there are options out there that let you combine a break from it all with a chance to undo some of the mental and physical damage from office parties and family dinners.

Health Spas

Health spas often look like regular resorts, with beautiful grounds, luxurious rooms and breathtaking natural settings. But inside their doors, you'll find early morning wake-up calls and portion-controlled meals instead of afternoon siestas and all-you-can-eat buffets.

Some of these spas go out of their way to make exercising often and eating right as painless as possible. For example, the well-known Canyon Ranch spas in Arizona and Massachusetts combine traditional options like massages with annual check-ups and in-depth consultations with medical experts.

Other health resorts seem to consider their beautiful surroundings payoff enough for colon cleanses and meals consisting mostly of vegetation. At the Abundant Life Wellness Center in Alberta, Canada, a multi-day visit involves raw foods, cleansing drinks, fasting, blood-cell analysis and colonics.

Yoga Retreats

Yoga retreats, with accommodations ranging from austere to five-star, offer travelers the chance to focus on their yoga practice away from distractions and responsibilities. Yogis can rent a small beach hut at Solstice Yoga and Vacations in Mexico, or practice at any of a variety of high-end resorts, whether they focus on yoga specifically or offer classes as part of their wider fitness options. Your choice for a yoga vacation destination can depend largely on your preferred technique; a more Westernized approach may lead you to a spot in the United States or the Caribbean, while a desire to get to yoga's roots could send you packing for its birthplace, India, and its more traditional approaches.