Three years ago, I attended my first ever wellness retreat. As I’m writing this a day before attending a wellness retreat, in my hometown of Los Angeles, 6,000 miles away from my new home of Barcelona, I’m reminded and inspired by the life-changing benefits of retreats.
It was a full seven days all to myself sans kids and I remember half way through I cried. I had never been away from my children that long and it had been a long time since I was by myself for that long. For years my thoughts and actions were consumed by tending to the needs of others — rarely did I consider what would nourish me. As a mother, I felt I had to constantly remain a pillar of strength. Also it had been a year since my best friend passed from cancer and I realised I didn’t really give myself full permission to feel how her passing affected me — at least not until I was on retreat. Feeling completely safe and supported, finally I was able to just let go and let flow the e-motions (energy in motion). Being on retreat was exactly what I needed to reset, recharge and reshape my mind, body and spirit.
So often, in our modern day world, we think by bypassing our e-motions it will make us stronger, but the body remembers our pain, trauma, and stress. In allowing yourself, for several days, to open up to a sacred space of healing you can start to live from a greater awareness of peace and happiness. And in order to transcend your circumstances, you often need to remove yourself from your current space of understanding.
After being on numerous wellness retreats, I’ve learned that, without a doubt, it’s one of the best things you can do to create a dramatic shift in your life. A wellness retreat is so much more than just food and yoga in a fancy location — it’s hands-down, life changing. Every time I returned home, without fail, I had way more to give to myself, to my family, to my work and to the world. When you commit to your health and well being this can alter your life in the most beautiful ways. When you start to live beyond your reality of what you have now you can move closer to what you can become. Here are five amazing ways going on a wellness retreat can benefit your life now:
1. Creates space.
On a wellness retreat you’re given full permission to slow down. In slowing down you invite space, in your mind, body and spirit, to see that there is more to life than rushing from one thing to another. You invite a new perspective to your life as you become more conscious of your breath and being. In this space you allow a greater gratitude of your past and a grander vision of your future as you become more mindful of the present.
2. Affirms your worth.
The highest return on your investment you can ever make is investing in yourself — and really there’s no price tag for that. Sometimes we feel unworthy to indulge time for ourselves, but we all deserve to be healthy and happy. When you declare to the Universe “I’m worth it” you attract more of that positive and abundant energy into your life. When you start to live a more meaningful life this also brings more meaning to your loved ones, creating a better and happier world.
3. Incredible inspiration.
Having amazing teachers and coaches, who resonate and inspire you, can intimately and powerfully guide you to create dramatic shifts in your life. Being in a safe container and being accountable to someone else can create great shifts in your life. Sometimes we just need someone to help turn on the light to find our own path to harness the inner guidance system and power you’ve always had within.
4. Heal the past.
Often being in an unfamiliar yet safe environment can provide profound healing, as you look at your life experiences with a new and heightened awareness, moving to a place of gratitude and forgiveness. Many of us carry past traumas and pain from childhood memories that subconsciously cause severe stress manifesting itself in actions of negativity and fear. On retreat you will invite a space of love and compassion for yourself and others, helping heal yourself and move forward on your wellness path.
5. Finally commit.
Nourishing your body with healthy food and activities, such as meditation and yoga, for several days allows your body to begin to cleanse, detox, and heal. You actually start to re-wire your brain from craving other food and activities that drain your energy. Being in an environment that supports that energetic shift in your body will help you stay on track as you integrate new and healthy lifestyle habits at home.
This summer I’m hosting my Ibiza Wellness retreat (June 24th — 29th). Come to relax and play. Come for healing and to up level your life. Where ever you are in your journey, whatever you long for is available to you in Ibiza. For more information and to apply click here.
As always, I’d love connecting with you and hear how wellness retreats have helped change your life. Head over to the comments section below to share your thoughts.
With love and gratitude,
Leslie xx
Originally published at lesliesaglio.com on April 21, 2016.
Originally published at medium.com