So often in life people put the needs and desires of others in front of their own. Be it their significant other, children, friends, relatives, or coworkers, they run themselves in the hole trying to make sure that everyone else is comfortable. In doing this, however, many end up neglecting their own health.
They develop poor eating habits, barely exercise, and have trouble sleeping. Some, even end up suffering from overwhelming emotions and mental health problems, that in many cases results in unhealthy ways of coping. Leaving very little energy to care for their own physical and mental well-being, it becomes a cycle that keeps going until things get worse.
Sound familiar? If you happen to be one who puts the needs of others before your own to the point you’re neglecting the importance of your own well-being it’s time for a change. Though it won’t happen overnight, taking small steps towards putting yourself first can help. Why not start with a health retreat?
What is a Health Retreat?
A health retreat is ideally a health-conscious vacation. They’ve actually been popular for about a century now, but with more people realizing the importance of practicing self-care and being more in tune with their well-being, it’s become a popular reason for traveling once again. It is an opportunity to get away from your regular routine and travel to a destination that focuses solely on improving your health.
There are several different types of retreats each focusing on some aspect of your personal health. There are yoga retreats for those interested in learning the art of yoga, there are wellness retreats that will work with you on your diet and eating habits, some destinations focus on adventure and outdoor exploration, and others are spa-like offering massages and other luxury but relaxing services to help you get back on track.
Planning Tips
If a health retreat sounds like something you would like to try, planning is the key to ensuring it’s a success. Below, are a few planning tips to keep in mind:
Decide What You Want to Do: As explained above there are several types of health retreats you can consider. To narrow down your options, create a list of things you want to do. Are you interested in massages, sipping on champagne, and lounging on the beach? Or, are you more interested in going hiking through beautiful rainforest and learning new yoga techniques?
Make Your Reservations: Once you’ve decided on what you’d like to do on your wellness retreat, it’s time to make your reservations. There are plenty of resorts and other organizations that host retreats year-round in all types of destinations. Decide which is best matched to your interests and reserve your room, flight, and car rental (if necessary) in advance. These things fill up quickly so the sooner you book your stay the better.
Create a Packing List:What in the world do you take on a health retreat? If you’re not sure, making a packing list is recommended. If you’re going to be lounging on the beaches somewhere, then, of course, you’ll need some swimwear. However, if you’re going hiking you’ll want to pack the appropriate attire. There are some wellness retreat hosts that will provide certain supplies for you (like yoga mats or exercise equipment), so be sure to check with them prior to creating your packing list so you don’t bring more than you need.
Get Your Affairs in Order: You really want to be able to take this time to focus on yourself and your well-being. However, if you don’t handle things at home first, this may end up interrupting your retreat. If you need to get a sitter, delegate your work assignments to coworkers, pay important bills, or anything else that can’t be done while you’re away, do it in advance so your mind is clear.
You do so much for everyone else, when are you going to take the time to do something for yourself? Though it’s noble to care for others and admirable to put someone’s needs before your own, when it’s compromising your physical or mental well-being, changes need to be made. Whether you’re heading to Bali, Miami Beach, Arizona, or St. Lucia, a wellness retreat could be just what you need to begin putting your health first.
