Remember this 1980’s commercial … Calgon foam bath – Lose yourself in luxury. Behind closed bathroom doors, millions of women would soak in Calgon bubbles to escape the kids, the dog, the husband, the job, and the STRESS of everyday life!
Fast forward 40 years. We can now leave the tub, and the house, and find a variety of wellness retreats to “take us away.”
The need to unplug and allow yourself to simply BE present deserves a special kind of getaway, a healthy vacation per say, a gift to yourself. A wellness retreat does just that by taking you out of your usual mindset, mentally and emotionally, and provides a possible social connection to your health and well-being. Be free to recharge, relax and reflect!
Types of Wellness Retreats
Today, wellness retreats can encompass; activities/adventure, awareness wellness, exercise/fitness, meditation, digital detox, mountains/ocean, spa/massage, and my favorite 🙂 … yoga.
Nutrition retreats are a thing, but are usually thrown in to others to include the benefits of healthy eating and round out the wellness vibe. Going on a retreat is an opportunity to eat well without having to worry about it yourself, and it’s a wellness habit you can take home with you.
Retreat Benefits
Some benefits of a yoga retreat depending on the logistics of the one you choose, can be abundant and fulfilling. If your retreat takes you outside, you get a chance to connect with Mother Nature on your yoga mat, on a meditative walk, a hike or a snowshoe. You will find that connection with nature on a more profound level absorbing your surroundings in a way you might not otherwise do so.
On a deeper yogic level, you can take your practice to another unknown place of discovery, learn more about yoga philosophy, and how to meditate. Yoga is more than just poses (asanas) and going through the motions. You will be given a chance to connect more intimately with yourself through your yoga journey, and come to understand more about this ancient art. Meditation, as a way to calm the mind in stillness, can be experienced on a genuine level through your guided retreat time.
On a more personal level, you can discover so many things about yourself. You may want to evaluate your current circumstances or discover a new perspective. Attending a yoga retreat can give you an opportunity to learn from others that may affect your future choices or make you see your own situation in a different light. Perhaps you will gain a new outlook about your own life or a new culture.
Use a yoga retreat to turn off all the noise of your own voice and open yourself to a more confident way of thinking. Be mindful of your unique experience, release well known fears, and embrace the good feels of positivity and healing.
Take baby steps and start with a half day or whole day retreat. Then maybe branch out to wellness travel by booking a longer weekend or week to check out really cool yoga/wellness retreat destinations. Incorporate an element of health and well-being into your next vacation.
Tell me this isn’t true … Most of the time we do so much for others and forget to take care of ourselves. Without hesitation, you would probably spend money on a loved one, and contemplate spending money on yourself. Many excuses, reasons why you shouldn’t, and all the other things you should spend your money on, pop up into your head.
You deserve to be treated and taken care of, and if you aren’t happy, healthy, and inspired, no one else around you will be. By taking the time to experience a retreat, you will be giving back twofold to those around you.
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
Eleanor Brown