SINGAPORE — Anyone familiar with the Como Shambhala name will recognise its fabulously healthy resorts, such as the flagship Como Shambhala Estate in Ubud, Bali.

But you needn’t make that jump across the water, with the opening of the 7,000 sq feet Como Shambhala Urban Escape last month in Delphi Orchard, which provides in-house consultations with experts such as naturopathic doctor, Sigrid Grobys.

As a naturopath, Grobys is trained in several disciplines, and she can treat using homeopathy, nutrition, supplements and botanical medicine.

“It’s more holistic, like traditional Chinese medicine, and we try to find the root cause of an ailment,” explained the Canadian, who moved to Singapore five years ago.

And yes, she thinks wellness vacations are another good way to escape. “It’s like a holiday with pluses — where you not only relax but also take care of your mind and body. Asia is particularly fast-paced, so perhaps we feel more of that need to do the polar opposite of what we do in our daily lives. It also gives us time to do some reflection in a tranquil environment.”SERENE LIM

Are people increasingly more aware of naturopathy and how it boosts their health?

Sigrid Grobys: Definitely. When I first arrived in Singapore, there was very little organic produce but now we have so much more available. People are more conscious about doing something about their health. And naturopathy is very much for those who feel empowered to act and make a change. They’re not happy to just be given a pill to swallow for the rest of their lives.

What is your advice or tips to travellers?

Always make sure you have a good intake of protein, whether it’s meat or in the form of lentils, chickpeas, eggs or soy products. They keep your blood sugar level up and sustain energy levels throughout the trip. Avoid eating a lot of pasta, rice or junk food. Stay well-hydrated so drink diluted fruit juices and soups to prevent those headaches caused by tiredness. Take Echinacea — it’s an immune booster — five days before leaving and the first week of your trip to ward off flus and colds. People also tend not to take enough Vitamin C and you need 500mg a day. If you have digestion issues or get very stuffed, a fibre supplement like psyllium husk will help you feel less bloated or cranky.

What sort of traveller are you?

I used to be chill until I had kids. I find that it can get quite stressful when I travel with my three-year-old and my four-month old baby because kids carry a lot of germs. But I stay zen by planning a few days in advance like what’s going into the suitcase, what the kids need, downloading some games into the iPad. I also have a little tool kit of homeopathic medicine with items such as a chamomile extract which is very good for calming kids down or teething children and a herbal chest rub as kids tend to get a cold.

Where do you enjoy going to relax?

I head to the east coast of Malaysia like Pulau Redang or Pulau Rawa where the sea is beautiful and everything is slow. As long as there’s a sea and nature around with enough food options where I don’t have to eat junk food, it’s enough to recharge me.

If you would like a consultation with Sigrid Groby, visit www.comoshambhala.com/singapore