I would say that number one on the list towards a holistic retreat is stress relief.  Who at one point or another doesn’t feel stress?  When I look back at my childhood, things were so much more simple, I realise this is me living a little in the past, however it generally seemed that way.  My parents maybe hid it very well, but it appeared to be work, rest and simple pleasures on a weekend, like a picnic or all helping over the allotment as a family.  We were not very well off, we were careful with what we had and looked after things and made them last.  Now life seems to be so much more hectic, school is all about working on and providing a laptop, (hard with 4 children!) getting stuck in traffic and having very little down time after all of their clubs and homework.  As a trained Nursery Nurse I hoped to enjoy this part of life, but sadly I have to say I was a little disillusioned.. you could barely remember your children’s names by the end of the week haha! Then of course you have the earning of your money to fit in, stressful jobs mixed with stressful lives can tax you heavily at times.

Having that little oasis of time to retreat and recenter becomes more and more important due to these factors, a happy healthy parent makes a happy healthy child if the stress can be managed to some degree, especially with more and more families having to both work as well as parent.

Of course then you have the families that are caring for loved ones with health issues or elderly parents to look after added to their own life demands, making a treat very definitely well deserved and needed if money allows !

Cons – 

 1.  Difficult to do if you do have children to apportion to Grand parents / friends etc and are a single parent or wish to go away as a couple – sometimes not worth the hassle of all the prep work!

2   Also tricky if you have elderly parents or relatives to care for, which is often a full time job for many families.

3.  People on lower incomes may struggle with this type of thing as a few days can be a few hundred pounds or more.            

4.   Many may not prefer this type of a break if they wish for whole family down          time which is more affordable, or their ideal holiday is more action packed or even if a beach is their preferred destination for example.

 Pros – 

1.  Stress Reduction – Traditional holidays can be crammed with arranging flights, accommodation, car hiring, crowded tourist sites and the pressure to cram everything into your allotted time period, especially if travelling abroad.  Usually with a retreat you will arrive, unpack and stay on the same site or close by for the duration of your stay, with food etc all in the package.  This instantly adds to the Zen of your stay.  

2.  Enhanced Well-being – Holistic holidays focus on overall well-being, which accounts for your physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Many places will offer wellness programs for you to try, these may include exercise, nature walks, yoga, meditation, sound bathing, nutritious meal preparing etc.  This comprehensive approach allows for personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself.

3.  Connection to Nature – Generally most holistic retreats will be located in rural and beautiful countryside, this in itself fosters a feeling of grounding and nurturing to all aspects of your natural balance.  The mind can relax and let go and a beautiful and peaceful location allows the body to stretch and move freely within the physical activities provided, enveloping you in a deeper understanding of yourself and personal growth, as natural environments reduce anxiety and have proven psychological benefits.

4.  Mindfulness and self discovery – Holistic retreats often incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation and guided reflection, this allows for connection with the inner self and a chance to review life goals and ambitions, this self awareness can lead to transformative experiences that resonate long after the holiday has finished, providing a sense of greater clarity. 

5.  Meaningful Connections – Taking the holistic break approach can lead to connections with like minded individuals, whether through group activities, shared meal times or workshops, this can foster new friendships and meaningful interactions with others that could last a lifetime.  This connection building can enhance the overall experience and create a sense of community.

6.  Dietary Awareness – Healthy eating is often high on the agenda at holistic retreats, providing the chance to try out and explore locally sourced nutritious and organic foods, this can raise awareness to the delights of healthier dietary choices for your health and wellbeing.  Many retreats will also offer cooking classes so that the experiences of healthy eating and cooking can be reproduced at home, leading ultimately to life long wellness.

7.  Skill Development – Often the activities offered at retreats can become useful tools for the personal toolbox, allowing the participant to use these skills throughout their daily life and possibly develop their new skills into a healthy stress managed lifestyle.

8.  Personalised experiences – Participants of holistic breaks can choose to tailor their break towards their own interests and preferences, making it a truly rejuvenating experience that brings plenty of fulfilment that resonates fully with them and whatever they wish to focus on. 

9.  Creative Inspiration – Often being away in more serene surroundings and away from the everyday hustle and bustle can foster the development of more creative activities.  Creativity can be explored through painting, writing, art or other forms of expression, leaving travellers inspired and open to new ideas and self exploration.

10.  Digital Detox – This is massive, we are all bombarded with the daily tirade of emails, phone calls and technology in general, a retreat away from digital media and screen time can greatly improve social interactions, clarity of mind and a greater appreciation for the present moment, allowing reconnection with oneself.

Conclusion 

Holistic holidays provide a wealth of benefits to the peace-seeking traveller, from stress reduction to personal growth and creative inspiration.  In short a Holistic Retreat can be the perfect answer for a refreshing escape and fulfilling experiences and interactions with others, which in turn balance your mind, body and soul ready to be able to re-submerge yourself back into your every day life with new and exciting possibilities for your future lifestyle choices.  I will add some fabulous places to have a look at below!