Retreat, Recharge, and Renew: The Importance of Taking a Break to Boost Your Well-being
Discover the benefits of retreats, from reducing stress to boosting creativity. Learn how taking time off can recharge your mind and improve overall well-being.
Read Time: 3 mins.
Content Shared: 1 Book, 1 Documentary, 1 Ted Talk, a Family Guy GIF, and some ideas!
Let Me Know If This Resonates
Do you ever feel like you need a break from your everyday routine? Perhaps you feel exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed? If so, it might be time to consider taking a retreat, or a break, if you will.
Retreats have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and focus on self-care. Whether it’s in the form of a 3-day backpacking trip, a week-long all-inclusive, or a 2-day silent retreat. Retreats provide an opportunity to recharge, reset, and gain perspective.
Disconnecting to Reconnect
In our always-connected world, it can be challenging to disconnect from technology and daily obligations. However, taking a retreat allows you to disconnect from your phone, email, and social media for a period. This digital detox can benefit mental health, allowing for relaxation, introspection, and personal growth.
By disconnecting from technology, you can also reconnect with yourself and nature. Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, increase feelings of happiness and improve mental health. Walking in the woods or sitting by the ocean can be an excellent way to recharge and reconnect with the natural world.
One of my favourite quotes summarizes this.
“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees” - Henry David Thoreau
Getting Perspective
Retreats offer an opportunity to gain perspective on your life, relationships, and goals. By stepping away from the daily grind, you can reflect on your life and identify what's working and what's not. You can evaluate your priorities, re-evaluate your goals, and make changes to align your life with your values.
Taking a retreat can also help you to gain perspective on your relationships. It provides an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, deepen connections, and resolve conflicts. Alternatively, if you're taking a solo retreat, you can use the time to focus on self-care, personal growth, and mindfulness.
A huge part of this is gaining awareness. An important skill discussed in this TedTalk.
Recharging and Resting
The most significant benefit of taking a retreat is the opportunity to recharge and rest. When you're constantly on the go, neglecting self-care and rest is easy. However, you can focus on your physical and emotional needs by taking a retreat. These include yoga, meditation, spa treatments, or simply resting and relaxing.
Studies show that sleep and rest are essential for physical and emotional well-being. By taking a retreat and getting adequate sleep, you can reduce stress levels, improve memory, and boost productivity. You'll return to your daily life feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle new challenges.
Ok, So Now What?
Plan a retreat! Pick something that speaks to you. Here are a few ideas that cover a wild field.
Typical Retreats - These are normally hosted by an organization. They can come with airfare, massages, yoga sessions and other wellness activities. Many of them are all-inclusive, allowing you to relax fully.
Silent Retreats - For an ultimate digital detox and to get connected with yourself, consider one of these. Ranging from a few days to weeks, these can be intense, with no talking, a lot of alone time and often no access to any external information. Highly efficient to help focus on what matters.
Camping - Although so may not see this as a ‘retreat.’ I think the digital detox of a few days camping can have amazing benefits. Leave the phone in the car, talk with other people, and enjoy the natural environment. Far more approachable for most and an easy place to start to feel the benefits.
Not Convinced?
If you are new here, you are about to find out I ALWAYS included further learnings. This one was a bit tricky as it was not something people typically write books on. But! I have a few things for you to pour your brain into.
From Stress to Happiness - A powerful documentary my wife and I watched a few months ago. This a great example of the power of disconnecting!
Deep Work: Cal Newport - One of the first books I read on the subject of focus. Cal talks about both sides of the equation and some incredible examples of removing distractions from our brains.
Lastly! I actually have a close friend running an incredible female executive-focused retreat this summer in Ojai, California. I’ve attached a PDF that explains it and has information for contacting and booking.
Thank You And A Favour
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Because I believe the information in them can help people. Even just if it helps one person, I count it as a win. If you could tell just one person about it, you’ll join me on this mission. My one ask is you share this via email, text message or even in person with one other friend or family member. Together we can all grow.
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