If you feel stretched to your limits physically, mentally and emotionally lately, you aren’t alone. The recent pandemic increased strain on everyone, spiking anxiety and depression rates and causing rapid-fire changes that leave even the most steady individuals a little shaky.

However, all the negative gunk you repress will manifest in other ways if you never attend to it. Your body hangs onto the stress you experience, so it’s little surprise to researchers that unprocessed emotional trauma can result in physical illness.

Plus, everyone deserves time to relax and recharge. Here are seven reasons to go on a wellness retreat this year.

 

1. Cater to Your Unique Needs

 

When was the last time you indulged in something that was all about you? Even treating yourself to a nice meal out can be difficult if you have a food allergy or sensitivity. As much as you want to enjoy your meal, you can’t help questioning if any unexpected substitutions, like swapping one oil for another, will leave you in misery for days afterward. The worry ruins your experience.

Wellness retreats are different. They’re designed to accommodate individualized menu choices for special dietary needs like allergies and lifestyle choices like veganism. You’ll know exactly what goes into your meal so you can enjoy it with peace of mind. You might even play a role in preparation at some retreats, providing the ultimate assurance.

 

2. Nurture Your Physical Self

 

Your mind and body are intricately related systems. It’s impossible to separate them, and what arises in one impacts the other. You’re probably familiar with being a little grumpy when you have a cold, but the process also works in reverse.

When you experience mental or emotional stress, you activate your brain’s HPA axis, which elevates inflammatory cytokine levels and leads to oxidative stress in your body’s cells. When this occurs, cellular mutation and death follow — leading to physical sickness.

Wellness retreats feature gentle movement like yoga and body treatments like massage to relieve the effects of oxidative stress on your body and prevent new damage. It’s like a deep bath for your insides. When you complement these external treatments with the right nutrition to whisk free radicals out of your system, genuine healing can occur.

 

3. Ease Mental Health Symptoms

 

Anxiety and depression rates spiked by 25% during the recent pandemic. You aren’t alone in experiencing worse symptoms than usual, but a wellness retreat can ease them.

Many wellness retreats feature multiple mindfulness sessions to help you connect with your inner feelings and work through internal conflicts in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. Some services focus on psychological care and behavioral health, while others meet the unique needs of special populations, like new moms. Some such facilities accept insurance — check with your carrier.

 

4. Master a New Life Skill

 

You’ve read countless articles on the benefits of meal-prepping, but you can’t seem to get the knack. No worries — you can hone your skills on your wellness retreat. Many centers offer various classes in healthy living where you can learn skills you’ll take with you when you leave.

In addition to cooking healthier meals, you could learn tips on how to practice mindfulness meditation and use exercise and hobbies to relieve stress. You might even master some gardening techniques that let you grow fresh, organic veggies at home, easing your grocery burden.

 

5. Connect With Like-Minded People

 

Does it sometimes feel like you’re the only person on earth who thinks the way you do? Are you passionate about health and unable to understand why others don’t feel a similar drive to make the most of their wellness?

A retreat is your opportunity to find your tribe. Here, you’ll find others who share your worldview that you should balance hard work equally with leisure and focus first on feeling your best. You’ll learn to savor each precious moment together.

 

6. Explore an Exotic New Location

 

Mark Twain raved about travel, once calling it fatal to prejudice. Sometimes people rarely venture far from their neck of the woods, often because of financial reasons. However, exploring an exotic new location is an excellent reason to take a wellness retreat.

For example, you could find yourself on the beaches of El Nido, relaxing with a deep tissue massage on the balcony of your room overlooking the ocean. If snow is more your speed, you could awaken amid Aspen’s serene snow-capped mountains as you await the day’s first sauna.

 

7. Return With a Renewed Outlook

 

Could going on a wellness retreat make you more productive at work when you return? Yes! Research indicates that people who take 11 or more vacation days annually are 30% more likely to receive a raise. Score.

However, what you do while you’re away matters. Ill-planned vacations that don’t reduce stress rarely offer similar benefits. A wellness retreat provides the perfect blend of stress reduction and exciting activities to recharge you and leave you ready to rock the office upon your return.

 

Why You Should Go on a Wellness Retreat This Year

 

Have you contemplated going on a wellness retreat this year? It could be just what your body, mind and even your career need.

Consider the above reasons for going on such a journey and book your ticket. After the events of the past few years, the whole world could use a wellness retreat — count your blessings and take advantage if you can.