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Got hives? Here is what we know you are itching to learn about Chronic Urticaria

Urticaria is a rash causing round, swollen areas on the skin. It can be tender, itchy and/or painful. People with light skin may see red, raised bumps or welts.

BPT - If you've had hives, you know how challenging they can be. But you may not know that there is more than one type of hives, or urticaria, and that treatments are available. A brief episode of hives is a nuisance, but when symptoms persist for weeks, months or years, it can take a physical and psychological toll.

What is urticaria?

Urticaria is a rash causing round, swollen areas on the skin. It can be tender, itchy and/or painful. People with light skin may see red, raised bumps or welts. In people of color, hives may match the color of surrounding skin or appear slightly lighter or darker. They may appear all over your body or in one area.

Urticaria occurs when chemical compounds involved in the body's inflammatory and immune responses are released. One of these chemicals is histamine, which is released by mast cells and basophils. When this release happens in the skin's outer layers, it results in hives.

Most hives resolve quickly, but they can become chronic. Acute urticaria refers to hives lasting one day to six weeks. Chronic urticaria means the hives have lasted for six weeks or longer. For many people, the cause is unknown.

Chronic urticaria eventually goes away by itself.

Chronic urticaria is a rare condition that occurs in only 23 out of 10,000 people, though the actual number may be higher, since many people do not report or recognize the symptoms. Chronic urticaria is most common in adults aged 40-59. More women than men are affected, and more Black Americans and other ethnic groups are affected. There are two types:

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (also called chronic spontaneous urticaria) is not triggered by external factors. In many cases, the cause could be an autoimmune condition, another systemic disease like cancer, or unknown.
Chronic inducible urticaria is caused by certain environmental and physical factors.

Identifying urticaria triggers

Common triggers include:

Allergens, including certain foods
Exposure to heat/cold
Tight clothing
Insect stings and bites
Infections and viruses
Medications such as antibiotics and NSAIDs
Diseases including asthma, celiac disease, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, vasculitis and vitiligo
Stress

Diagnosis and treatment

The cause of your chronic urticaria may be hard to identify. It's best to see a specialist such as a board-certified allergist or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor may perform allergy tests, lab tests or a skin biopsy to rule out other conditions that involve or resemble hives. You can help by keeping a diary that tracks your symptoms.

Chronic urticaria eventually goes away by itself. Management focuses on the most appropriate treatment to control symptoms, usually starting with the first line of treatment: a long-lasting antihistamine.

Antihistamines block production of histamine to reduce or eliminate hives and ease itch and swelling. Ask your doctor for a non-sedating antihistamine.

Topical itch creams may provide mild relief for hives that do not cover the entire body.

Corticosteroids: Topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation, irritation and itching. By reducing inflammation, they also promote healing. For a severe hives flare-up, a short course of oral corticosteroids (prednisone) can help reduce inflammation and itching. These medications can cause serious side effects, especially if taken long-term. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions when taking oral corticosteroids.

Advanced treatments

It's important to work closely with your doctor if your hives don't respond to treatment. If antihistamines alone do not help, your doctor may recommend combining them with other medications, including leukotriene modifiers or H2 blockers. New advanced treatments are available, and more are in clinical trials or undergoing FDA review.

Biologics: Omalizumab is a biologic medication used to treat chronic urticaria when antihistamines haven't worked. Two more biologics are in development as chronic urticaria treatments: dupilumab is in FDA review and briquilimab is in clinical trials. Biologics work by targeting cells and interrupting the inflammatory process. This stops or reduces symptoms. Biologics are injectable medications typically given once per month.

Cyclosporine: This is an oral medication that calms the immune system to prevent hives from occurring. It can be taken along with antihistamines. Since cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive, it can decrease the body's ability to fight infections. Talk with your doctor about side effects and the benefits vs. risks of taking this medication.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor: Remibrutinib is an oral medication in clinical trials. It works by blocking the activation of mast cells and basophils. These cells release histamine and other inflammatory mediators that cause hives, swelling and itching. By blocking this process, remibrutinib can reduce or eliminate symptoms.

Hives and mental health

It's important not to blame yourself for your hives. If you're feeling anxiety, depression or embarrassment about your skin condition, talk with your healthcare provider or a mental health specialist. Support groups for people with urticaria also let you share experiences and know you are not alone.

Don't let chronic urticaria impact your quality of life. Talk to your doctor. Check out the Chronic Urticaria Toolkit at ChronicHives.info.

Staying warm in the winter, and comfortable all year long

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BPT - Transforming unused areas of a home into comfortable, functional spaces can be easier than one might think thanks to modern heating and cooling solutions. Whether it's a sunroom that's too cold to enjoy in the winter, a garage that turns into a sauna during the summer, or a basement that's always chilly, the right systems can help create a comfortable environment in every corner of a home. These innovative solutions improve comfort while maximizing a home's usability and value. Following are tips on how homeowners can unlock the full potential of their home's living space, making it enjoyable 365 days a year.

Transform a Sunroom into a Four-Seasons Retreat

Sunrooms offer a bright, inviting space, but they're often underutilized due to extreme temperatures. Installing a ductless mini-split system provides efficient heating and cooling, making a sunroom comfortable no matter the season. Mini-splits, such as a Friedrich® Floating Air ™ Mini-Split System, are ideal for spaces without existing ductwork, offering an easy, non-invasive installation. These systems allow precise temperature control, ensuring the sunroom stays cozy in winter and cool in summer. Plus, its energy efficiency helps homeowners enjoy this space without worrying about high utility bills. Operating quietly, mini-splits let users relax or entertain without background noise disrupting the peace.

Turn the Garage into a Temperature-Controlled Bonus Space

Garages are often overlooked when it comes to heating and cooling, leaving them uncomfortable for extended use. Garages can serve as home gyms, workshops or extra storage. However, without proper heating and cooling, they're often too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Installing another ductless option like Floating Air ™ Pro can combat that problem, converting a garage into a comfortable, climate-controlled space fit for year-round use.

Photo provided

Their advanced smart technology allows the user to set customized, true room-by-room comfort with individually controlled indoor options. Quiet and efficient, a mini-split transforms a garage into a functional extension of the home.

Enhance Basement Comfort with Zoned Systems

For any homeowner planning to upgrade their HVAC system, it's the perfect time to think about the entire home - especially those spaces that are underutilized, like the basement. With the right heating and cooling solutions, every corner of the home can be comfortable and functional all year long, including areas that aren't used every day. Combining Rheem's Heat Pump with an Air Handler can create a zoned system that offers tailored comfort while maximizing energy efficiency. Pair that system with the company's EcoNet Smart Thermostat's Zoning Solution to make it easy to condition the basement only when needed, which is ideal for spaces that are not used year-round. With a simple adjustment on the EcoNet Smart Thermostat, the master control for the zoning system, a homeowner can open a damper to direct airflow into the basement, ensuring it's comfortable when occupied and conserving energy when it's not. By adding home solutions such as mini-splits, heat pumps and air handlers, homeowners can unlock a home's full functionality and comfortably enjoy each room year-round.

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Needed clothing often out of reach thanks rising cost of living, one company is helping change that

BPT - Families in poverty often spend over 80% of their income on food, housing, childcare and healthcare, leaving little room for essentials like winter clothing. Unfortunately, many children miss school or cannot fully participate because they do not have warm coats or shoes. This lack of warm clothing has a ripple effect and is one of the reasons 32% of children in the poorest school districts are chronically absent.

A new partnership between the national nonprofit Operation Warm and Subaru is helping to provide these essentials, offering brand-new, high-quality coats, shoes and socks for children in need.

The Subaru Loves to Help initiative will help over 630 Subaru retailers deliver winter clothing to underserved communities across the country.

Subaru retailers will also host on-site gifting events or coordinate drop-off deliveries based on the community's needs. Events will provide children the opportunity to select brand-new coats, shoes and socks.

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5 tips to help you battle the bugs this cold and flu season

BPT - Cold and flu season typically runs from October to May, but with summer colds, COVID outbreaks, RSV and allergies, it's a pretty safe bet that you and your family may be dealing with a variety of symptoms of one kind or another, no matter the season.

Given this year-round battle against illness, the ever-rising costs of medications can put a strain on your wallet and cause confusion as to how best to guard against all of those various bugs out there.

"It's vital for families to get reliable information on how to prevent illnesses, especially during cold and flu season when many bugs are at their worst, and what to do if they do come down with something," said Preeti Parikh, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. "This includes information about how to get the best price on any medications they need."

That's where GoodRx comes in. It is an online platform that does double duty. GoodRx can save you up to 80% off retail prices of medications, plus it offers trusted information on the myriad health conditions that families deal with. GoodRx's articles, written by a team of doctors, pharmacists, health economists and public health experts, provide you with authoritative and trustworthy answers to your most pressing health questions so you can make better decisions for your family's health.

When it comes to navigating cold and flu season, Dr. Parikh offers the following tips to prevent illness and manage treatment if you do become sick.

Get vaccinated. Everyone should get their flu shot and COVID booster by the end of October, and these shots can be done at the same time. It’s the most important thing you can do to prevent illness, not only for yourself, but for vulnerable people in your community, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions.
Older Americans should investigate the RSV vaccine. All Americans aged 75 and older should receive one dose of the RSV vaccine. Adults aged 60 to 74 with serious chronic conditions, pregnant women, and young babies may also need to get vaccinated. Work with your healthcare provider to determine if the vaccine is best for you.
Wash your hands. Everyone should practice good disease prevention! Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sneeze or cough into your elbow.
Protect others. If you're sick, stay home. Don't go to the office or out shopping or dining. If you must go out, wear a mask to help avoid passing those bugs around.
If you do become sick, GoodRx can help you save on treatments, including antibiotics that can treat your infection, cold medications to help with symptoms, and antivirals, which can shorten the duration or alleviate the symptoms of your illness. On average, GoodRx users save $34 on cold and flu treatment medications.

So, how do the savings work? It's actually very easy. Just go to GoodRx.com or the mobile app and type in the name of the medications you have been prescribed. You'll get a listing of local pharmacies and their prices. Choose the lowest one, and a coupon will pop up. Bring your phone with you to the pharmacy and show the coupon to your pharmacist to get the lowest possible price on your medications.

To arm yourself with information about how to battle the bugs, and ways to save at the pharmacy, visit G oodRx.com/go/fluseason.

Food & Dining |
5 simple tips to turn leftovers into new tasty meals

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/PEXELS

BPT - No gathering would be complete without a feast. Sharing a meal with friends and family encourages conversation and bonding, not to mention the opportunity to show off your culinary skills. However, it's important to keep in mind that large meals can easily produce food waste.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans waste approximately 30%-40% of the food supply. When cooking for a large group — like a holiday feast — it's easy to overprepare and end up with more leftovers than you know what to do with.

During holidays, don't worry about wasting food. KitchenAid — the #1 mixer brand in the world* — is here to help you turn your holiday leftovers into new tasty meals. Try these five creative tips that can transform the dreaded leftovers into delicious dishes.

1. A hot meal to warm your bones

Gather leftover vegetables, meats and bones and throw them into a Dutch Oven. In no time, you'll have warm soup or stew to enjoy on those cold winter days. You can also make stock that you can freeze and use in dishes in the new year!

2. Easy and hearty handhelds

Leftover turkey and ham make for a great protein base for quick meals. Whether you have sandwiches, tacos or wraps on the menu, repurposing your holiday protein can be quick, easy, and delicious.

Just choose your favorite or mix and match! If you have leftover cranberry sauce or roasted sweet potatoes, these can also be great additions.

3. Taters for breakfast

Do you have loads of leftover mashed or sweet potatoes? Use these tasty spuds to create savory twists of breakfast staples like pancakes and waffles.

Grab your favorite recipe and use your KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer to incorporate these sweet or mashed potatoes into the batter. After cooking, consider topping with chives or even cranberry sauce.

4. Whip up a decadent dessert

Eggnog on its own is a decadent seasonal treat. If you have leftover cartons of eggnog after your family get-together, use your mixer to transform that eggnog into whipped cream.

This eggnog whipped cream will add a rich, creamy and spiced flavor to leftover pie slices — especially pumpkin pies. Also, consider blending eggnog into frosting to top any leftover holiday cookies.

5. Layer leftovers into a casserole

Casseroles are the perfect format for leftovers. Simply layer meat, gravy and veggies into an oven-safe dish, refrigerate and reheat the next day. You can even simplify the process by creating the casserole when you clean up after a holiday gathering.

Bonus! To make these and other dishes with ease, gift yourself The KitchenAid 2024 Design Series Stand Mixer in Evergreen. It's the perfect holiday appliance that makes cooking and baking simple and serves as an eye-catching kitchen decoration that you can appreciate year-round.

Follow these five tips that will help you reduce your food waste and hopefully inspire you to create leftover dishes in the new year. To learn more, visit KitchenAid.com.

5 sous vide recipes that are sure to impress guests

BPT - The holiday season is the time for hosts and home chefs to shine. Of course, cooking a holiday feast for friends and family is time-consuming, and with so many moving parts, accidents do happen. However, for this year's feasts, you can perfectly cook your holiday dishes and save time using sous vide, the preferred cooking method by Michelin-starred chefs from around the world.

What is sous vide?

Sous vide (pronounced sue-veed) is French for "under vacuum." The cooking technique involves vacuum sealing food in a pouch and submerging it in water to slow-cook at a constant, precise temperature.

"Sous vide has been the go-to method in some of the world's best restaurants for years - and for good reason: it brings food to the precise temperature chefs look for and delivers perfect doneness, edge-to-edge, every time," said Signature Kitchen Suite's Executive Chef Nick Ritchie.

Are you ready to take your holiday meals to the next level? Try one (or all) of the following sous vide holiday recipes.

1. Seared sous vide scallops
Cooking scallops can be daunting. When preparing in a pan, you run the risk of overcooking them - resulting in a chewy, rubbery texture - or undercooking them, leaving the scallops raw in the middle. However, when you sous vide scallops, you can rest easy knowing they'll be cooked evenly.

Chef Ritchie's recipe uses the sous vide method to infuse scallops with tarragon, lemon, olive oil and salt. After 20 minutes in the bath, you'll quickly sear them for about 60 seconds on each side. When done, you'll have four perfectly cooked tender scallops that will melt in your mouth. You can serve them on their own as appetizers or on a bed of risotto as the main dish.

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2. Sous vide poached egg salad
For a filling and protein-forward meal for lunch or dinner, mix up a batch of sous vide poached egg salad. If you've never poached an egg before, no worries. A sous vide bath will ensure you have perfectly poached eggs every time.

Chef Ritchie's mix of eggs, lettuce, radicchio, goat cheese and walnuts is well complemented by a warm bacon dressing. In addition to savory bacon, the dressing features aromatic garlic and thyme, as well as grapes!

3. Sous vide fennel-spiced pork loin chops
Pork chops are a great addition to any holiday meal, especially when they're well seasoned. Chef Ritchie's recipe for pork loin chops incorporates the licorice-like taste of fennel, the citrusy pepperiness of coriander and the earthy quality of rosemary.

By sous videing the pork loins, you don't have to worry about serving a dry piece of meat. Your guests will enjoy tender, moist and juicy pork chops that are great on their own but also pair well with sous vide braised cabbage and glazed apples.

4. Sous vide poached winter fruit
Want to make a dessert that looks impressive but is incredibly easy to prepare? Try Chef Ritchie's recipe for sous vide poached winter fruit. While this recipe calls for persimmons, it works well with most fruits, including apples, pears, quince, peaches and apricots.

You can poach fruits the traditional way on a stove, but when you sous vide fruits, the process brings out and enhances the fruit's powerful and rich flavor. It also preserves fruit's freshness and offers a longer shelf life, so you can enjoy this delicious dessert well into the new year.

5. Sous vide honey-thyme glazed turnips
Turnips aren't usually the star of the show. However, this sous vide honey-thyme glazed turnip recipe may inspire you to make more meals with the humble root vegetable.

Chef Ritchie's instructions are very simple. You'll seal the prepared turnips in a sous vide pouch with butter, seasoning and honey. After an hour in the sous vide, you'll pour the pouch contents onto a pan to quickly saute the turnips and reduce the glaze. Once garnished, you'll have a lovely plate of tasty tender turnips.

Your secret weapon this holiday season and beyond

You can sous vide this holiday season and year-round with the right appliances. Luxury kitchen appliance brand Signature Kitchen Suite features the first and only built-in sous vide right on the cooktop along with gas and induction. Get professional-level results every time and capture the full, true flavors of foods. It's the ultimate gift that meets all your hosting needs in one appliance.

To learn more about Signature Kitchen Suite and to find more recipes, visit SignatureKitchenSuite.com/en-us/.

Listening to your ill-tuition: 5 symptoms women shouldn't ignore

Brandpoint - When it comes to health, women's intuition isn't just a hunch - it's practically a superpower. According to recent research from MD Live by Evernorth, more than two-thirds of women say they have a sixth sense when it comes to their health. This "ill-tuition" is the innate ability to sense when something may be wrong with your body - and 81% of women trust it. Yet, despite this trust, most women hold off on seeking care until their symptoms interfere with their daily lives, instead of being proactive at the first sign that something is off. This delay can lead to unnecessary worsening of symptoms.

"Many common symptoms can be early warning signs of an underlying health condition. Ignoring your body's signals can prevent timely diagnosis and treatment," explains Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, Associate Chief Medical Officer for MD Live by Evernorth. "Trusting your intuition and acting on it early can make all the difference in managing your health."

Roundtree discusses five common symptoms that women tend to dismiss, according to the research, what conditions they may point to and why it's important to seek timely medical care when your intuition sounds the alarm.

1. Itching that doesn't go away

Itching may seem like just a minor annoyance, but if it's persistent, it may point to various underlying health issues. Itching could signal hormonal fluctuations, skin conditions like eczema, or even liver or kidney problems. Itching without a visible rash can be a sign of broader health issues because it often indicates that the root cause lies beneath the surface of the skin rather than on it. For pregnant women, persistent itching may be a symptom of cholestasis, a liver condition that requires immediate medical attention.

2. Persistent bloating

Bloating is normal after eating a big meal or when experiencing the occasional digestive issue. But, when bloating occurs frequently, it could be a sign of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bloating that gets worse over time could be a symptom of stomach inflammation or certain cancers. In fact, bloating is one of the more common early warning signs of ovarian cancer, caused by the buildup of fluids in the stomach.

3. Fatigue

Feeling tired is often unavoidable, especially for women balancing work, family and other responsibilities. However, when that tiredness becomes persistent and starts affecting your quality of life, it might point to fatigue, a debilitating condition that significantly impacts your daily life. Fatigue is often a symptom of an underlying chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, depression or thyroid disorders. If a good night's sleep or taking time to rest doesn't make a noticeable difference in your energy levels, it's time to consult a doctor to explore the potential causes.

4. Unexplained weight fluctuations

It's not uncommon for a woman's weight to naturally fluctuate, especially during their menstrual cycle. However, unexpected weight gain or loss can indicate hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems or metabolic disorders. When weight changes are sudden and not resulting from changes in your diet or exercise routine, it's important to rule out any larger health issues, like cancer or chronic illness.

5. Chronic anxiety

Although anxiety is commonly associated with mental health disorders, its presence can also point to underlying physical health issues. If you're feeling anxious without a clear reason, or your anxiety is constant, it's important to explore whether a physical condition could be contributing. Anxiety is often linked to cardiovascular diseases and endocrine problems, like hyperthyroidism. Regardless of whether it stems from something physical or mental, early intervention is critical.

Your first call: A doctor

These symptoms may not always seem urgent, but it's important not to ignore them, especially if they become persistent or chronic. "If you feel something is off with your health, trust your intuition and seek medical advice promptly," Roundtree advises. "Doctors are here to help you get to the bottom of your symptoms - no matter how big or small they may seem." When your instincts tell you something is off, you can schedule a virtual visit with an MD Live board-certified doctor to get an expert medical opinion without unnecessary delays.

Remember, it's always better to address a potential health concern when it's small rather than wait until it becomes more serious. The next time your ill-tuition kicks in, trust it.

Goal getter's guide: Tips for upping your credit score game

BRANDPOINT - As any athlete will tell you, you can't win unless you have a game plan.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the personal savings rate in the U.S. hovers below 4%, while household debt and credit card delinquency rates are both rising, especially among Gen Z, as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

In the game of life, saving should be just one part of your financial strategy but knowing the benefits of responsibly managing your credit is equally important. Whether you are gearing up to buy a home, get an education or start a business — understanding your FICO^® Score is an important first step in laying the foundation for financial literacy.

That’s why this summer, FICO, a leading software analytics company, teamed up with Chelsea Football Club and the U.S. Soccer Foundation to offer free financial education workshops for students and adults in the cities where Chelsea is playing on their summer tour.

Workshop participants were also able to attend their local match for free.

Here is a starter playbook of the 3 ways soccer and financial literacy are similar:

Know Your FICO^® Score. A credit score is a three-digit number that helps lenders, such as a mortgage company, auto lender, or credit card issuer, quickly (based on data and without bias) determine how likely you are to repay a loan as agreed. The higher your number, the more likely it is lenders will offer you credit and better repayment terms such as interest rates.

Many factors go into your FICO^® Score. It’s calculated based on data that is collected by the three major credit bureaus. This data is grouped into five categories: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%) and credit mix (10%). Because your credit report changes based on your financial behaviors, like whether you pay your bills on time, so does your FICO Score. That means it’s important to know how your financial choices can impact your FICO Score.

You can check your FICO^® Score for free at https://www.myfico.com/free.
Have a Game Plan. Championships don’t happen accidentally. They require thoughtful planning, precise execution, and the ability to make in-game adjustments as events unfold. It’s just as important to have a game plan for your household finances to help foster positive habits such as creating a monthly budget, setting a system to stay up to date on bill payments, and keeping credit card balances under control.

FICO also offers free educational resources on myfico.com relating to budgeting — like a college budget calculator and articles about budgeting systems and budgeting for couples.
Focus on Continuous Learning and Improvement. Athletes continuously train to stay in shape and are always looking for ways to improve their skills. You can do the same to understand more about building good financial habits. FICO has developed many free educational tools and resources to help educate people throughout their financial journeys.

To access useful educational resources — and find out how to participate in a live or virtual Score A Better Future™ workshop — visit https://www.fico.com/sabf/.

Whether your goal is purchasing a home, financing a car, or simply starting off your financial journey strong, these educational tips can help you win in the game of life.

Vacay in style, Top luxury experiences in the Mexican Caribbean

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BRANDPOINT - Yearning for a luxury vacation unlike any other? Consider the unique cultural, culinary and wellness experiences in the Mexican Caribbean. This signature paradise offers a winter getaway where you can indulge in natural beauty, nurturing environments and flavors that nourish the soul.

While the entire region boasts beautiful tropical weather and is steeped in rich Mayan culture, each of the Mexican Caribbean's 12 destinations has its own distinct identity. You'll enjoy turquoise waters, white sand beaches and remarkable archaeological sites. The region is also home to otherworldly cenotes for freshwater swimming, boundless nature and more. Along with these natural wonders, you'll discover an enticing culinary scene, rich culture, world-class entertainment and top-notch accommodations.

Ready to plan your trip? Here are some Mexican Caribbean experiences you won't want to miss.

Make a splash in over-the-top pools

Travelers seeking the perfect vacation filled with sipping, sunning and relaxing in unique pools have their choice of options in the Mexican Caribbean. In the Riviera Maya, the adults-only luxury inclusive La Casa de la Playa features a stunning 130-foot-long swimming waterway overlooking the sea that provides breathtaking horizon views. For ultimate relaxation, Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers villas with private pools, creating a more intimate experience. Similarly, Cancun's Nizuc Resort & Spa offers opulent pool villas for guests looking for total seclusion and privacy. Wellness takes to the water at Grand Velas Riviera Maya's Floating Sound Baths. This meditative practice allows individuals to discover their inner peace and achieve maximum relaxation by gently moving while floating in water.

Indulge in next-level spa treatments

The Riviera Maya offers a wealth of opportunities for indulgence and rejuvenation, with several resorts dedicated to wellness. At Fairmont Mayakoba, locally inspired spa treatments like the Copal Mayan Purification and the Cha Chac Rain Ritual provide a deeply calming, refreshing and energizing experience. St. Regis Kanai Resort features rituals inspired by ancient Mayan astronomy. Senses can be further awakened at the Maroma Spa by Guerlain at Maroma, a Belmond Hotel in the Riviera Maya. Their unique Bee Healing Ritual incorporates resort-made honey from the stingless Melipona bee which is sacred in the Mayan culture, helping guests connect with nature. At the Waldorf Astoria Cancun, luxury spa treatments include the Yaxche Journey which facilitates personal discovery and healing on a spiritual, emotional and physical plane to balance the body, mind and spirit.

Savor custom-made culinary experiences

The Mexican Caribbean has become a culinary powerhouse offering myriad globally recognized restaurants and exceptional dining experiences. At Etereo, Auberge Resorts Collection in the Riviera Maya, guests can enjoy a regionally inspired four-course menu during a private moonlit dinner at the beach or alongside the Tranquilo pool. Alternatively, discover the secrets of Mexican cuisine through the hands-on Comal Cooking Class, which offers the opportunity to craft fresh tortillas and prepare delicious small dishes using a traditional Mexican griddle. At the MICHELIN Recommended Maria Dolores at ATELIER Playa Mujeres, celebrity Chef Edgar Nunez presents seasonal dishes with an haute cuisine approach to Mexican gastronomy. His signature creations combine flavors and stories from every corner of Mexico, creating a sensory experience in each dish. At the one MICHELINE Star HA' at Hotel Xcaret in the Riviera Maya, Chef Carlos Gaytan presents contemporary Mexican cuisine through a 9-course tasting menu, where each dish is perfectly harmonized with exquisite wines and spirits.

Imbibe in modern mixology

Cocktail aficionados will be thrilled at the region's offerings, including Chaak in the Jungle at Conrad Tulum, an enchanting tropical mixology experience in the magical jungle under the stars. For a speakeasy vibe in the tropics, Bambuco by Handshake at Marmona, a Belmond Hotel, offers a haven for creative cocktailing; it's the perfect spot for a nightcap and small plates among lush tropical palms. Or check out the award-winning Zapote Bar at Rosewood Mayakoba, a love letter to the Yucatan Peninsula, celebrating the heritage, culture and people of the region.

For more information, visit MexicanCaribbean.Travel.