We all know that stress is one of life’s most uncomfortable but inevitable factors.
For many reading this, you probably chose to live in the Bay area of Pittwater as an attempt to bring natural quietude into your life, and to remove some of those big city stressors. But chances are you still experience the inevitable day-to-day stress that accompanies an engaged, modern life. Whether it be mental, physical, emotional, financial, or relational (or all of them at once!), stress is ubiquitous; but that doesn’t mean it has to define our health and well-being. We simply just need to learn how to take care of our stress more skilfully.
Learning skilful ways to navigate stress can build resilience, balance our mental-emotional health, and mitigate the risks of chronic stress-related health conditions (anxiety, depression, heart disease, etc).
But what is a skilful way to de-stress?
Recharge and Revive: The Purpose of Retreat
There are many, but one of the most effective is going on retreat. Often stress is a feeling of overwhelm or anxiety that results from not having a sense of space in our lives to reconnect with ourselves. In a retreat, one makes intentional space, in nature, to engage in practices that leave them feeling recharged and revived.
Retreats allow us to reconnect with ourselves, in order to rediscover the simple things that bring meaning to our lives: i.e, discovering that which brings us joy and inspires us most. In doing so, we identify our values and priorities, which guides us in making more meaningful life choices that align with our most authentic expression of ourselves.
Expressing ourselves with openness and authenticity helps us to communicate honestly with others; this practice can improve our relationships and increase our sense of connection and belonging. By being true to ourselves, we can also experience greater self-esteem and confidence, which can positively impact various aspects of our lives, such as our career, personal growth, and overall well-being.
Through the retreat process you learn “de-stress tools” that can be later implemented into day-to-day living, making that ubiquitous stress more bearable, and overall, improving your quality of life.
It all starts with first making that time and space to de-stress. You might consider trying out a retreat if you relate to any of the following:
- Stressful life events: Life can be unpredictable, and we may experience events that cause us stress and anxiety, such as job loss, financial struggles, health problems, or relationship issues. De-stressing can help us cope with these challenges and maintain a positive outlook.
- Burnout: When we push ourselves too hard, whether in our personal or professional lives, we can experience burnout. De-stressing and reconnecting with our true selves can help us regain balance and prevent burnout.
- Lack of fulfilment: If we are not living in alignment with our values and priorities, we may feel unfulfilled and disconnected from our true selves. Reconnecting with our true selves and expressing ourselves with authenticity can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives.
- Relationship issues: If we struggle to express ourselves honestly and openly, our relationships may suffer. By learning to express ourselves with authenticity, we can improve our communication and deepen our connections with others.
- Mental health issues: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can make it difficult to de-stress and feel connected to our true selves. However, practicing self-care and seeking support can help us manage these challenges and improve our overall well-being.
In sum, retreats help us to de-stress and reconnect with ourselves, in ways that help us express ourselves more authentically. The tools gained on retreat can help us navigate life’s stressors, helping us find fulfilment and purpose, as well as enhancing our relationships with self and other.
Article by Remington Cooney.
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