There’s so much focus on stress these days, so much reporting on how stress-related problems cost UK businesses £40bn last year, the fact that 90% of adults say they don’t get enough sleep enough and that 1/14 do not take their full vacation allowance. So it’s no surprise to find that many of us seek out retreats as a way to ensure we have precious personal time to recover.
Some people find the idea of a retreat quite daunting. If you’re already stressed, distraught, or overwhelmed, the thought of staying in a place that could be spartan and regimented may be the last thing you want to do.
Retreat centers understand and appreciate those concerns. You may be interested in detoxing and addressing your personal issues, but you also need pampering, healthy food, and comfort in a supportive and caring environment. You may want some therapy or personal training, some exercise and fresh air, or a chance to go shopping or to the spa quietly on your own.
With that very much in mind, they are often happy to oblige and provide tailor-made retreats designed to give you the space to do what you need to do, reground, breathe, and regain a healthy balance.
Let’s reflect on the benefits of making a retreat;
– Are you constantly busy?, accessible and in demand? A retreat provides a positive way to unplug, forget about your devices, and be out of touch for a while. You are setting aside important ‘me time’ to be unavailable to the outside world and take time to reflect on what is going on in your life.
– A retreat is a time to let go, put yourself firstaddress where you are and question what needs to change. Have you decided to make about your relationship, career, what next steps to take? Do you need time to be calm and heal? Taking time off can help prevent stressful, knee-jerk reactions to important situations and allow time to properly consider your options and realistic choices.
– When you are at a crossroads, maybe exhausted, it can be a relief to have someone else take over for a while. Yes, you’ve taken an important first step by setting aside time at your chosen retreat, but once there, it can be a relief to know that your agreed-upon time is in place; what to do, what sessions are coming up, what treatments have you arranged, what menu have you selected. All you have to do is follow the agreed schedule and show up!
– A group retreat often provides opportunities to meet people. similar to you and perhaps share stories, advice and discuss solutions with each other. Sometimes a group of friends or co-workers may choose to book together and have workshops and bonding sessions. Other times, a specific theme for the retreat (such as trust, managing stress, life after 40, or moving on after a loss or ending) may draw people to attend and work through their issues together. and specific concerns.
– give yourself time Considering the big issues in your life is important. In normal everyday life, there is often little time for reflection. Running from one thing to the next often becomes an automatic daily response. Taking time to pause, grieve, reflect on difficult areas or decisions is important, as these are often pushed aside or quickly dismissed due to lack of time or concern about opening a ‘can of worms’. Gradually the little things can escalate and become more and more in need of attention.
– Scarring, greater confidence and feeling more positive about your options can be valuable results of individual or group counseling sessions at your retreat. Knowing that there is no pressure to divulge or reveal more than you want provides a comfortable atmosphere for discussions, as does the prior agreement that everything disclosed remains confidential between participants.
– Reconnect spiritually can be a valuable consequence of a retreat. Even if we don’t ‘do’ religion, many of us have a spiritual side that relates to being grounded, empathetic, centered, and more aware of our purpose. Taking the time to reconnect with that part of ourselves that is often neglected can improve our mental health and well-being.
Separating from the outside world, even for a weekend, allows our stress-fueled adrenaline responses to calm down, while also giving us time to reflect on what’s going on in our lives. Taking a retreat can reacquaint you with what’s really important and help you feel more positive about your next steps.