Creating an At Home Retreat
By Sherianna Boyle
Don’t let the cost of gas or food prices get in the way of your emotional wellbeing. While a trip to the spa or vacation resort may not be in your budget right now, consider creating an at home retreat. With a little creativity and a few essential it is possible to give yourself the rejuvenating feeling retreats can bring.
Before getting started there are a few things you are going to want to consider. First, decide how long your retreat will be. Be realistic. If it is your first time or if you a busy mom, you are going to want to keep things simple. If you plan it right, a little can go a long way. Next, think about what days would be best. I would base it on the level of noise or traffic around the house. If weekends are busy, consider making it during the week. Finally, the third thing is your budget. Your budget will be based on things like the foods you will want to eat and little extras to make your experience special. For example, you may want to purchase yourself a new bathrobe and slippers, flowers, a new book, sheets for your bed or hire a housekeeper to tidy things up the day before you start. Once you have decided on the length, days, and budget you are ready to apply the 5 essentials to get the most out of your home retreat.
1. Digital Detox
We live in a world where we are surrounded by electromagnetic energy. Cell towers, radio waves, and cells phones. While our devices can help make life rather convenient, our devices may be contributing to things like headaches, fatigue, eye strain and mental burnout. As mental health concerns rise, the World Health Organization is allocating some of its research on looking at the impact of our devices. Going on a mini retreat can be a great opportunity to take a break from your devices and to see for yourself how it impacts both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Understandably, the idea of being out of touch with family members and friends might be difficult, it can help to let them know ahead of time. Something as simple as, hey I am taking a couple of days off and won’t be checking my phone until Sunday evening, can help set those boundaries. With that said, be prepared, some family members may test this and text you anyway. Therefore, it is best to keep your phone out of reach.
2. Plan Something You Love
Doing something you love brings a little structure to your retreat day or weekend. Without a little bit of a plan in place it can be easy to fall back on old routines such as cleaning your house or doing the laundry. Whether it is attending a yoga class, talking a walk-in nature, getting a massage, taking a bubble bath, or visiting a local coffee shop, having something in place you enjoy can help stimulate the retreat feel.
Keep in mind doing something you love might be a craft or hobby. Perhaps you like to write in your journal, color, or paint. Dig deep it might be something you haven’t done in a while.
3. Hydration
Taking time to hydrate will be an important part of your retreat. Research shows, “That water is key to your mental health. Dehydration may increase your risk of anxiety and depression, among other unhealthy mental states.” Healthline. Proper hydration can improve your digestion, skin (dehydration causes dryness) and attention.
Imagine a beautiful picture of lemon water on your counter. Or maybe you would prefer some cucumber water. One of my favorites is fresh strawberries, basil, and lemon. You may consider purchasing a special water bottle that you can carry around over the course of the day.
4. Fresh Food
One of my favorite parts of being on an away retreat is the food. I particularly love eating foods I would be less likely to make for myself. If you are someone who enjoys cooking, then this part will come naturally for you. The key is to plan out your menu and grocery shopping list ahead of time. You may even try out a grocery delivery service, so you don’t have to leave the house. If cooking is not your thing, then plan on having some prepared meals sent to you. Daily harvest is a company I have tried out. Their food is definitely fresh and is packed with vitamins and essential nutrients.
Consider having some fresh fruit or vegetables prepared for you to snack on. If you are someone who tends to snack mindlessly on chips when you feel bored, you might want to skip purchasing them. Retreats are about fresh experiences which includes energizing yourself with whole foods while taking a break from anything that is overprocessed.
5. Emotional Detox
Retreats can be a wonderful time for self-reflection and emotional processing. Think of them like a spiritual reboot. With that said you can’t fully energize yourself without taking time to process your emotions. Your emotions when processed fully, like food, provide you with energy. On the other hand, when they are left unprocessed, they can (like food) weigh heavily on your system.
With that said, not many people know how to process what they feel. This is where the book, Emotional Detox Now: 135 Self-Guided Practices to Renew Your Mind, Heart & Spirit, can come in handy. It is packed with mini emotional detox practices (placed in the acroymn of Cleanse) you can guide yourself through within minutes.
While going away to a retreat center might not be in your budget right now, this doesn’t mean you can’t have the experience. With a little planning, open mind and the five essentials described above you can reboot your energy and create an atmosphere of self-care right in your own home.
Sherianna Boyle is a best-selling author, founder of Emotional Detox Coaching®, Cleanse Yoga®, and the popular Just Ask Spirit Podcast. Her books are available at all bookstores.