You’re craving something that we all long for, a vacation… Admit it! You need time away to reset and refresh. Florida used to sound fun, but we all know that a trip to the Keys with your family won’t exactly bring you the rest you so desperately need.

Next option, a mountain escape? That sounds like a whole lot of hiking and painful legs trying to hit your 20,000 steps a day.

How about a destination spa? Now we’re talkin’! Somewhere that prioritizes your mental health and detoxification from the material world. A place we can leave our phones off and not be bothered. Some call this an oasis. Does it exist? Yes!

Since 2020, more adults have been keeping a place to recharge their mind, body and soul. They have felt the weight of the world, battling being stuck inside, working from home, layoffs, death, economic uncertainty, just overall stress.

In recent years, people have been flocking to wellness retreats in hopes of finding the reprieve they’ve been searching for.

What is a Wellness Retreat?

A wellness retreat is a vacation that emphasizes emotional, mental, and physical health. It allows you time to relax and recharge, while encouraging participation in a variety of fitness and meditation routines, healthy eating, and spa therapies.

Difference Between a Wellness Retreat vs Wellness Resort?

Both wellness retreats and wellness resorts emphasize, you guessed it, wellness! But there are differences between the two, and they’re important to understand before you book one over the other.

Wellness Retreat

Focus: A wellness retreat typically offers a structured program focused on holistic well-being and emphasize lifestyle changes, often incorporating activities like yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices, healthy eating, spa treatments, educational workshops, and detoxification.

The ultimate goal is for you to leave better than you came.

For example, individuals struggling with anxiety may choose a wellness retreat that offers workshops emphasizing mental wellbeing, teaching a range of coping mechanisms that can help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Setting: They are often located in secluded, tranquil environments to provide a peaceful setting away from daily distractions.

Duration: Typically, retreats are designed for shorter stays, ranging from a weekend to a couple of weeks.

Wellness Resort

Focus: While a wellness resort also emphasizes well-being, it may offer a broader menu of amenities, beauty treatments, and services beyond structured programs. Think "destination spa!"

Wellness resorts often include luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining options, fitness facilities, recreational activities, and spa services. Guests have more flexibility in choosing activities and may customize their experience based on personal preferences.

That's right, no one will pressure you to go hiking across a mountain if you don't want to! Unlike at a retreat, guests can stay for as little or as long as they’d like.

Setting: While also located in beautiful and serene locations, resorts are typically larger and more luxurious than retreats.

Duration: They cater to both short-term and long-term stays, providing flexibility in terms of how long guests choose to visit.

Selecting the Right Relaxation Setting

People in big cities often feel trapped, like they can’t escape the madness or the rush of always being on the go. Wellness resorts are often the opposite of that. They are meant to be secluded environments that take you away from everyday distractions. Just leave your phones at home and grab a book instead.

What’s better for the soul than a beautiful view?! Wellness resorts typically take place in larger serene environments and are typically more luxurious than retreats. A connection with relaxation often comes in the form of spa treatments, fitness classes, nutritional counseling and medical assessments.

Who Usually Goes on Wellness Retreats?

Well, anyone! At first it may seem like wellness retreats are targeted toward individuals who are already “in-tune” with themselves and with nature, but the truth is, they’re for everyone.

Whether you are a corporate lawyer in desperate need of an unplugged getaway, or a stay-at-home mom of three, a wellness retreat can be just the reset you’ve been looking for. They are often better bringing along a friend.

Curated Services

Wellness retreats are designed to reset your mind and body and have a host of thoughtful programs and activities hosted by wellness professionals.

Holistic Treatments & Therapies

No two wellness retreats are exactly the same. Typically you can find curated services that align with the retreat’s theme, goals, and target audience. While the exact services being offered will likely vary depending on the specific retreat, there are a handful of services you can expect to enjoy during your stay to provide that much-needed rest for your body and soul.

Yoga Classes: If you’re not an experienced Yogi, not to worry! The classes offered usually cater to varying skill levels and preferences and may include hatha, vinyasa, restorative, yin, or specialty classes such as yoga nidra or aerial yoga.
Meditation Sessions: Guided meditation sessions led by experienced instructors can help you practice mindfulness and promote relaxation and inner peace. may be offered to help participants cultivate mindfulness, relaxation, and inner peace.
Spa Treatments: Who doesn’t love a good spa treatment? Some wellness retreats actually boast spa facilities with a range of therapeutic treatments, such as massages, facials, body scrubs, and hydrotherapy.
Nutritional Workshops: Whole body wellness includes the belly! Workshops or cooking demonstrations may be conducted by nutritionists or culinary experts, focusing on healthy eating habits, mindful eating practices, and cooking nutritious meals using fresh, whole ingredients.
Fitness Classes: A variety of fitness classes and activities may be available, including cardio workouts, strength training, Pilates, dance classes, hiking, or outdoor adventure activities.
Mindfulness Workshops: Don’t worry, the workshops that take place during wellness retreats are nothing like the corporate workshops you may be used to. These workshops typically explore topics like stress management, emotional intelligence, and personal growth.
Holistic Therapies: Alternative and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, aromatherapy, or sound healing may be offered to support the body's natural healing processes and restore balance.
Creative Arts Workshops: Workshops focused on creative expression, such as art therapy, journaling, music therapy, or expressive movement, are often included to encourage self-expression, exploration, and emotional well-being.
Nature Immersion Activities: Wellness retreats typically have a big emphasis on nature and thus will offer activities like forest bathing, guided hikes, or outdoor meditation sessions.
Personal Consultations: If you’re not someone who feels comfortable expressing yourself in a large group setting, personal consultations may be available to provide personalized guidance, support, and recommendations based on your individual needs and goals.

Fitness & Movement

You may have scoffed at number 5 on that list, because who wants to exercise on vacation? There should be as little movement as possible, right?

Well, what if we took a closer look at the purpose of fitness and movement, and redefined it. The exercises encouraged during a wellness retreat are not meant to exhaust you, but rather to allow you to develop a deeper connection with your body. Exercise is an amazing way to honor our earthly vessels.

Believe it or not, exercise IS part of a restful experience!

Wellness Experts

Wellness retreats sure sound extensive, so who exactly is running the show?

Thankfully, most retreats are run by seasoned professionals who are experts in their fields. Now, the exact background and field of expertise of this team will typically vary by each retreat.

Who Are Wellness Professionals?

While all retreats are meant to bring some degree of rest and relaxation, each retreat’s purpose is a little different, and this will be determined by the theme and the experts organizing it.

Yoga Instructors: Many wellness retreats are led by experienced yoga instructors who specialize in teaching various styles of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices.

Holistic Practitioners: You can find retreats organized and led by holistic practitioners like naturopathic doctors, nutritionists, herbalists, acupuncturists, or massage therapists.

Fitness Professionals: Some wellness retreats are led by fitness professionals, personal trainers, or group fitness instructors who specialize in designing and leading fitness classes, outdoor activities, and adventure experiences.

Mental Health Professionals: If you are looking for a retreat that can provide expert support in the field of mental health, there are retreats led by mental health professionals such as psychologists, counselors, or life coaches.

Spa and Wellness Resort Operators: Many luxury spa resorts and wellness centers offer curated wellness retreats as part of their services. These retreats may be organized and run by the resort's management team, including spa directors, wellness coordinators, and guest services staff

Benefits of a Holistic Retreat

So now that you have some idea of what goes on at a wellness retreat, let’s dive into why it’s something everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

Wellness Retreats vs Regular Vacation

Think about the last vacation you went on. You booked an all-inclusive resort for a week and ended up laying out by the pool for the full 6 days, with your phone in hand. You probably felt great that entire week and soaked up every relaxing second.

But what about when you get back to your “normal life?” That first shift back at work, didn’t it feel like the stress just bubbled right back up to the surface? We’re betting that’s because you needed something deeper than surface level relaxation.

Wellness retreats are designed to bring you a deeper rest, one that you can carry with you for the rest of the year.

Human Connection

Regardless of if you are introverted or extroverted, every single human being needs connection. A wellness retreat is a perfect place to meet like-minded individuals who are on the same journey to peace that you are. This time of connection doesn’t deplete your social battery; on the contrary, it can leave you feeling recharged.

Transformation

How often have you come back from a typical vacation and thought, wow, I feel like a better person than I was before that trip!

The unique activities and self-development workshops found at wellness retreats can equip you with the tools to get through life with more peace, confidence, and joy. You can’t really say that about DisneyWorld, now can you?

The Complete Package

Rarely does a vacation embody everything you could possibly need quite like a wellness retreat can. Nutritious food? That’s handled. Professionally-led yoga classes? You got it. What about a hike up a beautiful hillside to watch the sun come up? It’s all included!

How Do I Find A Wellness Retreat?

If you would like to remain close to home, you can search for wellness retreats happening in your area. If you have a certain goal in mind (detox, mindfulness, Ayurveda, or silent retreat), you can find one that specializes in that. Sites like RetreatGuru, BookRetreats, and TripAdvisor can all point you in the right direction.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to the hosts of the retreat directly to inquire about availability, booking procedures, and any other questions you may have. Many retreats have an itinerary they can send you as well so you can ensure the activities are something you would be interested in.

Your Mind, Body and Spirit

A wellness retreat can help connect your mind, body and spirit in a way you didn’t even realize was possible.

You deserve to experience one at least once in your life, what do you have to lose? If you are looking to try a wellness retreat in New York, visit our 2024 Wellness Retreat with Sandi Gaz Wellness to learn about how you can make your next vacation relaxing and one that you’ll never forget.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of a wellness retreat depends on a variety of factors; the type of accommodations and amenities offered, the length, the location, and the level of expertise of those running it.
Retreats can typically fall under one of four categories:
Budget Retreats: Basic wellness retreats with simple accommodations, shared facilities, and fewer amenities may cost anywhere from $100 to $300 per day, on average. These retreats may offer limited services and activities but still provide opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Mid-range Retreats: Mid-range wellness retreats with comfortable accommodations, a variety of wellness activities, and some additional amenities may range from $300 to $700 per day, on average. You can usually enjoy activities like yoga classes, meditation sessions, spa treatments, and nutritious meals.
Luxury Retreats: Luxury wellness retreats typically offer high-end accommodations, extensive wellness programs, gourmet dining options, and exclusive amenities, with prices of $700 or more per day, on average.
Specialized Retreats: Some specialized wellness retreats, such as detox retreats, weight-loss retreats, mindfulness retreats, or spiritual retreats will range in price and can be significant depending on the level of expertise provided.
Before you break out the suitcase, ask yourself these questions to determine what you should pack: What's the destination? How long will I be gone? What kind of activities are offered?
A general checklist includes:
Comfortable clothing (including some workout gear)
Footwear
Sleep clothes
Swimwear
Personal care items
Reusable water bottle
Journal and pen
Reading material
Snacks
A wellness retreat can be a quick weekend trip (3 days) or a week long getaway (5-7 days). Some retreats actually allow you to customize how long you wish to stay as well.
Research the Retreat: Get to know the environment you will be in! Review the itinerary, workshops, classes, and excursions to get an idea of what to expect during your stay.
Pack Mindfully: Some retreats will actually provide a packing list for you to use. Pack lightly and prioritize comfortable, breathable clothing suitable for movement and relaxation.
Set Intentions: Take some time to reflect on your intentions and goals for the retreat. What do you hope to gain from the experience? Whether it's relaxation, stress relief, personal growth, or simply unplugging from daily life, having clarity on your intentions can enhance your overall experience.

Wellness Retreats: The Ultimate Guide