5 Reasons Why You Need A Wellness Retreat — Black Girl Under Construction

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness month! In honor of this important cause, I want to talk about wellness retreats. They're like mini-vacations zeroed in on your mental health and wellbeing.

I've been on three of them myself, the first was in 2019 to Costa Rica with @adzentureretreats hosted by Azma and my most recent was to the Dominic Republic. I want you guys to experience the same rejuvenating feeling I did! Wellness retreats can be widely beneficial for your mental health in a multitude of ways.

Keep reading to discover the top five reasons you need to try a wellness retreat, and I'll have you packing your suitcase by the end of the blog!

1) You Need to Decompress!

Stepping away from your day-to-day routine is essential for rejuvenating your mind. Regular vacations can sometimes become clouded with planning activities, posting pictures on social media, and shopping till sundown.

By the time you get back home, you're wondering if it was a vacation at all! Wellness retreats mainly focus on building your mental health and helping your body experience that extra TLC. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy fruity drinks and poolside parties too.

But sometimes, your body needs peace instead of a turn-up.

Most retreats include various physical, psychological, and spiritual activities that build on different aspects of self-care. They can come with pre-determined yoga and exercise regimes, spa treatments, therapy sessions, and so much more.

Get away from technology for a bit and revel in the peace and quiet as you focus on yourself. Take a moment to browse the undeniable benefits waiting for you on the next wellness retreat!

2) Improve Your Mental Space with Healthier Habits

Wellness retreats support you with mental health professionals that can help turn destructive behaviors into new healthy habits. When you're at home, it's hard to avoid distractions and solely rely on your willpower.

Whether that's the multitude of snacks in your kitchen when you're trying to diet or the pack of cigarettes calling your name after a long day, breaking away from your typical environment invites the opportunity to break those bad habits while being around a reliable support system.

Being in a motivating environment can be that extra boost you need to kick start your self-care journey! Studies have found that wellness retreats provide more benefits than a traditional vacation because they focus on helping you learn more about yourself while relaxing.

While your mind is taking a much-needed break, it's also engraining healthy habits into your daily routine. They are part of the new you when you're back home.

Dominican Tree House Village Samana, Dominican Republic Our accommodations for 5 days fully immersed in nature with no wifi.

3) Learn New Self-Care Techniques!

We all know Google can be your best friend for just about everything. That might even be how you found my blog (I appreciate you!) But feeding off other people's wisdom in person can shed new light on self-care techniques that never even crossed your mind.

You might meet someone at the retreat struggling through the same bad habits who shares some helpful tips with you. Or, maybe you connect with one of the retreat leaders that reveals how you can tap deeper into your true self.

I recently went on the VibexFlow Yoga Retreat to the Dominican Republic hosted by Alex Kaufman and had a blast! I learned I really liked being unaccessible no wifi, increased my flexibility with the yoga workshops, and bonded with some down-to-earth souls.

I highly recommend following their Instagram page @vibexflowretreats so you can join the next one to Jamaica!

4) Cultivate a Well-Balanced Diet

If you're a foodie like me, one of your favorite parts of a vacation is trying new foods, especially since I don't have to cook them myself! Trying different cuisines based on the culture you're vacationing in can be a real eye opener.

Caribbean food, Spanish food, Thai food, the list goes on with all the cultures you could experience by going abroad. If you don't already have a passport, I highly recommend getting one to expand your flavor palate!

Learn new recipes to take home and incorporate into your diet. Or discover new foods you didn't know existed that you can add to your grocery list. It's no secret that America as a whole has poor eating habits that cater to large portions of processed foods. Wellness retreats focus on a well-balanced diet with fresh ingredients that improve your health and taste amazing! Not only because they taste good, but they're packed full of nutrition you've never experienced.

5) Step Back & Refresh

Leaving reality for a bit can help you come back feeling lighter and refreshed! Revitalize your joy and rejuvenate your mental health all in one trip! Your friends, family, and co-workers will not only notice the difference but will be happy you went.

You'll have more energy once you get back and a clearer focus on the plans for your future. Being in a peaceful environment transcends the peace within so you can take it home with you. Step away from your norm to reevaluate your life from the outside looking in.

Just being away from home helps you see that sacred place in a new light. You might realize some areas you'd like to change or reintroduce into your life that you would've otherwise ignored. You'll go home with a more optimistic view of life and a stronger faith in the future.

Wellness Retreats Are The Solution

There are various kinds of wellness retreats that cater to specific goals and treatments. Some focus on more spiritual and holistic practices, while others are centered around exercise and gaining control of your weight.

Sleep-centered retreats are available for insomniacs or hormone balancing retreats for those seeking emotional growth. Whatever you're looking to improve on, there's a retreat out there waiting for you to sign up.

Should you turn it into a girl's trip?

I would say NO to that question for these trips but hear me out!

Wellness retreats are meant for you to self-reflect. Bringing your friends along can distract you from the mission and can cloud your judgement. Plus, traveling alone can open the door for developing new friendships with like-minded individuals!

So, there you have it, my top 5 reasons to go on a wellness retreat. You're ready to book your flight now, aren't you? Research the different kinds of retreats out there and find the one that aligns perfectly with your aspirations. Then, come back and tell me all about your experience!