When the pandemic came, fear paralyzed the world. Borders and businesses closed. Loved ones fell ill, and some died. We were stuck at home (some of us still are) and in that isolation, we were forced to look inward. When that happens, the mind can’t help but wander. We tend to question our existence and wonder what we have done with our lives. Are we happy with our jobs, our relationships, and most importantly, ourselves?
When the world stopped, we were stripped of many privileges and forced to face reality without any distractions. Superficial living became less and less possible. We began to realize that gaining material wealth does not bring long-term happiness. In our isolation, we searched for answers and meaning and experienced an awakening of sorts. We had to face our own personal truths and how we fit into the world.
There’s no denying it; inner reflection has deepened our desire to resolve the many issues around us, and we long to reconnect with others. The need for community inspires us to seek like-minded people with whom we can share our thoughts and experiences, with whom we can discover and grow.
How does one go about finding that community?
The solution is retreats, and I’m going to tell you why. Let’s start with a definition.
Retreats are not vacations. Vacations provide a temporary escape from one’s life and don’t always resolve issues. Going on vacation to relieve mental distress may only add to it. If you’re mentally exhausted and then suddenly stop to decompress, psychological and physical distress can arise. Some people react to those sensations by seeking even more escapism such as drinking and keeping busy, only to return home more exhausted than they were before they left.
Retreats, on the other hand, are focused and transformational.
Let’s conclude that retreats are a form of wellness and group travel with a twist of relaxation and a drop of escapism, all while satisfying your urge to explore and providing you with a taste of your own personal truth. That may be a mouthful, but you get my point. They’re more purposeful than a vacation.
Examples of retreats:
1. At the new Chenot Molecular Lab at Chenot Palace Weggis in Switzerland, epigenetics has gone up a notch. New mRNA-based technology at the brand’s sleek flagship on Lake Lucerne analyses gene activity, determines biological aging and prescribes treatment via supplements, nutrition, stress control and lifestyle changes. Inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance and the structural integrity of tissue are highlighted. It’s a modern approach, says Dr George Gaitanos, Chenot’s chief scientist and COO, “where health is defined as what is unseen”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MM2K1r6yU8&ab_channel=ChenotGroup
2. Since Clinique La Prairie opened in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva in 1931, cellular therapy has been part of its DNA. Now the clinic is offering the ultimate anti-aging treatment: harvesting stem cells and reinjecting them into the face, neck and hands. It is, according to Dr Stéphane Smarrito, its co-creator, “the most effective anti-aging treatment in the world today”. Mini-liposuctions collect the fat, which is reused in micro-injections. The stem cells can be stored for up to 30 years and reused à la carte at any time. Clinique La Prairie keeps secret the number of people who have undergone this treatment, but it is scientifically proven to pep up skin trophicity, vascularisation and collagen. LB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7A0MZSjvk8&ab_channel=CliniqueLaPrairie
3. On an island associated with downward-facing dogs and shamanic healing rituals, Sanctuary at Bali’s forward-thinking Desa Potato Head takes wellbeing into an unmapped higher-tech zone. Developed with the sound-healing masters of Ubud’s Pyramids of Chi, this turbo-smart wellness hub sits at the crossroads of spirituality and science – beach-front ice baths, mood-lifting breathwork and sound therapies. None is more enlightening than Sistrum, a dark, cavernous room with six waterbeds that are straight out of a sci-fi film. In each 90-minute session, the beds deliver synchronised light and sound frequencies to induce a deeply meditative flow and higher consciousness. Sessions range from gentle relaxation to hypnotic high-intensity blasts to unleash creative energy. It all chimes with the hotel’s plant-based dining at Tanaman and sun salutations on its Tropical Brutalist-looking rooftop.
