Review – Nescens Better Ageing Programme at La Réserve, Geneva

Designed by Nescens founder Professor Jacques Proust – hailed as a pioneer in cellular ageing and anti-ageing medicine – the Better Ageing Programme works on awareness and prevention of premature ageing.

The programme commences with a number of health questionnaires and thorough check-ups, including sessions with various doctors, nutricianalists and osteopaths. The Nescens team then design a bespoke programme based on individuals results. My personalised programme was geared heavily towards osteo-health – due to a prolapsed disc and aching knees.

Over the four day programme, I literally felt like I’d been wrapped in a cocoon of wellness. The great thing about this programme is not only the incredible treatments (performed, by the way, by some of the best therapists in Switzerland) but the fact it really does give you an insight into your daily life – how to treat your body and manage stress levels.

Diet is a key part of the plan and daily trips to the resort healthy eatery Cafe Lauren was one of my favourite experiences. The carb-free, sugar-free and low salt diet that wonderful chef Natalie would rustle up every day was some of the best clean cuisine I’ve tasted. Dishes included coconut curried vegetables with quinoa, seabass with spiced vegetables and teriyaki salmon. Breakfasts consisted of soya yoghurt with fresh fruits, gluten-free chestnut crackers and sugar-free compotes washed down with iced green tea.

Chef Natalie and her sidekick Pierre would come and join me after breakfast every morning to talk me through the day’s menus and ingredients. In the evenings Natalie will plan your diet with chefs at the resorts other restaurants so you can ‘dine around.’ Be sure to take dinner at The Loti where you’ll dine on a terrace with views of Mont Blanc.

The exercise regime and personal training (1 hour a day) included in the plan is designed by the fitness team and geared specifically towards individual needs. There’s a full range of options from tennis lessons and swimming to cardio workouts, kinesis and yoga. Due to my osteo problems I stuck to swimming, pilates and light cardio. My trainer worked with the osteo team to design specific exercises to strengthen my core and back muscles and designed an exercise plan for me to continue at home.

Two spa treatments a day are performed as part of the basic plan and include:

The Better Ageing Massage – A combination of lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, reflexology and cupping. Designed by osteopaths and therapists to release tension, strengthen muscles, encourage blood flow and bring energy levels to a natural balance.

Balneotherapy – A private massaging jet bath infused with detoxifying and relaxing oils to relax muscles and boost metabolism.

Algae Body Wrap – Using the benefits of marine algae to detoxify, a warm seaweed mask is applied followed by a relaxing head and scalp massage.

3 in one cellulite and shaping treatment – A vibrating massage machine is used to break down fat deposits followed by a lymphatic drainage massage.

If you can’t bear to go through the plan without a facial a plethora of offerings are available from luxury Swiss brands La Prairie and Nescens. There’s also a nail bar with a fab manicurist (who previously treated the rich and famous of St Tropez) should your paws or toes need a preen.

The clinic’s wonderful osteopath Yven offers daily sessions, and LED therapy and coolsculping are performed by Dr Valerie LaDuc – known on Swiss tv as ‘the leg doctor’ she is an expert in removal of thread veins.

The combination of the nurture of the staff, excellent treatments, diet, exercise and therapies made me feel like a new person after just 4 days. Lighter, brighter and happier, I left not only feeling rejuvenated – I’d lost a few pounds, my energy levels had soared and my skin and eyes were glowing – but aware of my personal signs of ageing and how to help prevent them.

A truly wonderful and educational ‘better ageing’ retreat.