Why Retreats are Wonderful for Your Mental Health
Do you always want to find the time to relax and focus on self-care, but somehow never get around to it? Does everyone else's needs such as your partner's, kids, work obligations, and family seem to take precedence over your needs? Do you often feel worn out, not able to focus or get anything accomplished, and feel bogged down by too many obligations? Then a Retreat may be just what you need.
We often forget to prioritize ourselves and this can lead us to feel depleted and drained, and resentful of those around us. Retreats offer us a chance to slow down, recharge our battery, focus inward, deepen our work in therapy, and gain perspective. Focusing inward and allowing ourselves to slow down, can be the best gift we can give to ourselves. Without the proper time and space to reflect on our lives and experience quiet, we cannot function at our highest level and be fully present. Retreats require you to set time aside, with no distractions and to completely focus on yourself. It allows for self-care and love, a chance to reflect without interruptions, and be present for just YOU! A retreat offers a respite from your normal hectic life and offers a chance to renew your sense of purpose and gain clarity on your goals and dreams.
As your retreat guide, you will get 1:1 attention, immerse yourself in nature with breathtaking destinations, experience peace, reconnect with yourself, and gain clarity and perspective. Learn more about my current retreats and join us for this powerful healing opportunity.
Research is also supporting the benefits of retreats and their positive impact on our mental health. According to a study in 2016 exploring the effectiveness of meditation retreats, “Meditation retreats are moderately to largely effective in reducing depression, anxiety, stress and in ameliorating the quality of life of participants. ( ” Additional retreat studies( Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 23, #2) have also shown that the benefits of the retreat last for at least six weeks after the experience, you maintain the benefits such as a decrease in depression and anxiety, an increase in feelings of happiness, and improved sleep among other benefits.
And don’t forget forest bathing! Yes, being in nature actually has known beneficial effects on our mental health, such as lower stress levels, decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and lower levels of harmful hormones ( such as cortisol). Being surrounded by nature, allows us to reconnect with our spirit, and experience less anxiety, which leads to increased creativity and insights about ourselves.
Monica was a tour guide in South America for over a year, leading tours in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Monica had the honor of leading guests to sacred sites such as the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, and famous Lake Titicaca, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. She experienced the beautiful traditions of the indigenous people of Peru, witnessed their ceremonies, and experienced the time-honored traditions of the native indigenous tribes. Monica has a particular love of Peru and the Quechua people and culture. She is now bringing her background as a tour guide and experience witnessing native traditions and rituals to her retreats. Monica’s passion for travel and love of native traditions, as well as her therapy background, helping people gain insight and breakthroughs in their lives, have come together in her retreats, with the assistance of psychedelics.
Retreats include:
