We often get sucked into our daily work routines, and forget that we need to step back once in a while and take some time to ourselves. However, while you can flop on the couch and watch television, there are even better ways to enjoy some downtime.
A wellness retreat can offer many benefits, from soothing aching muscles, to letting your mind unwind, to unplugging you from constantly buzzing smartphones. Here are six reasons to consider escaping your usual surroundings for a wellness weekend…
1. Be more Flexible with your Time
Yoga retreats are a popular choice, as it not only allows you to relax, but helps you focus on your physical health and flexibility as well. Best Health magazine in Canada notes that you don’t have to be an experienced yogi to take advantage of these retreats; you can be “stiff as a broom handle”.
Not only will you come back home with a few less knots in your body, you’ll also possibly make new friends as there will be many like-minded people at the retreat, noted the magazine. Some retreats even integrate other activities like hiking into the yoga wellness experience.
2. Get in Touch with Others
According to the online health resource WebMD, being touched is one of the key elements of feeling relaxed (when it comes to wellness retreats). That’s a benefit of a spa retreat, where the staff will likely offer massage and other relaxation techniques.
The article cited a Japanese study that showed more trips to the spa equated to better overall mental and physical health (as well as fewer sick days). However, be sure that if you’re also dipping into the hot tub that the establishment follows proper guidelines–as recycled spa water has been traced back to ailments.
3. Get your Diet Back on Track
Taking time to ourselves often means indulging in foods and beverages that may not be the best for our health, but help us relax (i.e. “comfort food”). However, if you’re heading to a wellness retreat with the sole purpose of being pampered, then you can focus more on the kinds of foods you’re ingesting.
A “diet” doesn’t have to mean cutting back on the amount of food you’re eating, but rather the types of food. Some retreats focus on nutrition as well as relaxation, to ensure you get a healthy dose of protein and vitamins to help restore your body.
4. Be Left to your Own Devices
It’s no secret that America has an addiction problem–and that addiction is to electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones. The constant urge to check for new texts and emails every few minutes can consume our downtime, making us feel like we’re always “on”.
Unplugging from the grid may be a bit tough at first, but as the online source Becoming Minimalist points out, “powering down helps remove unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness.” Ironically, those who plug into social media most often can end up feeling the most left out, the site notes.
5. Get a Rest from Lack of Sleep
Our plugged-in and hectic lives often mean sleep becomes a secondary priority, however we all need proper sleep to be healthy and function our best. Going to a weekend retreat means you can essentially make your own schedule, which can include an afternoon nap if you so desire.
Some spas also focus on helping you restore proper sleep patterns, by assessing your habits and helping to reset them. There are treatments that are especially helpful for sleep deprivation including acupuncture and massages that many wellness establishments offer.
6. You Deserve a Reward
You may feel underappreciated at work (or even at home)–so instead of waiting for someone else to pat you on the back (or rub your back), why not take the initiative to reward yourself?
A wellness weekend can be a great way to acknowledge your own self-worth while giving yourself a chance to enjoy your own company (or the company of a close friend). Instead of spending money on “stuff” to make you feel better, a weekend getaway can have lasting mental and physical benefits.
