Feeling, tired, stressed, depleted or overwhelmed due to working too much?
There’s actually a name for that: occupational burnout.
According to the Harvard Business Review, a 2013 ComPsych study of more than 5,100 workers in North America revealed that 62% of those surveyed experienced high levels of stress, loss of control and extreme fatigue.
Research also shows that burnout is linked to several physical and mental health problems, like coronary artery disease, hypertension, sleep issues, depression, anxiety and increased alcohol and drug use -- which can contribute to addiction.
If you’re feeling exhausted and overburdened by the increasing demands of both your career and personal life, you’re not alone. Burnout is a real thing.
Fortunately, there’s a good way to combat burnout — embarking on a wellness retreat.
The fact is, often traditional vacation spots can turn out to be far less than rejuvenating than expected. What you really need is a relaxing time-out, not another opportunity to overdo things. For example, many of the most popular vacation destinations have become overcrowded with tourists more interested in partying all night than meditating every morning.
Wellness retreats and holistic excursions are the perfect answer to getting a wholesale reset of your system, or starting you on a more substantial journey towards wholeness, should addiction be a factor. Visiting a holistic locale can help restore your mind, body and spirit and leave you feeling refreshed, refocused and revitalized long after you return to your regular life.
Here are five of the best places to have a holistic experience:
1. The beach
Being near the beach has both physical and psychological benefits. The fresh air, the feel of the soft sand on your feet and the motion of the waves all make people feel calmer and more relaxed.
Ocean air is also known to carry negative ions, which help recharge the body and improve one’s mood. Staring at the ever-changing ocean serves as a break for our brains, allowing our minds to take a much-needed rest.
St. Lucia’s BodyHoliday is one of the most beautiful oceanside resorts in the world, offering total relaxation in an all-inclusive setting. Its wellness center resembles a massive temple, where spa treatments are offered as well as holistic classes like yoga, archery, and more. Everything is set against the backdrop of Pigeon Island National Park, and a white-sand beach nestled in a lovely little cove.
2. A lakeside resort
Compared to the beach or the ocean, lakes, rivers and streams have a different effect on our minds and bodies. New research has discovered that these types of still and flowing water elements can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. Simply being near a lake or river makes us feel more peaceful and serene; we instinctively know that we are more refreshed even after a brief lakeside retreat.
Consider Living Forest, a new lodge and retreat center on the shores of Lake Arenal in Costa Rica. One of the special things about staying near a lake is the wildlife: besides the hummingbirds that frequent the deck at Living Forest, you can wake up to the sound of a jungle teeming with tropical birds and even monkeys. Living Forest hosts yoga, transformational and healing retreats, dance and movement, art and creativity, meditation and other spiritual retreats.
3. The desert
For many, a change of scenery has a host of physical and mental health benefits. If you live near the ocean or a lake, taking a trip to the desert can give you the chance to experience a different type of holistic experience. Especially during winter, the bright rays of sunshine that desert locations provide can help beat you combat those winter blues and Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD).
The heat of the desert also has healing and restorative benefits. Activities like bikram yoga, which involves a 90-minute yoga class in a heated room, can help the body stretch, detoxify and even aid in treating health chronic pain issues like joint aches and back problems.
The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona offers a gorgeous view of the desert, directly looking over famed Praying Monk Rock. Its lovely suites are complemented by a truly stunning spa and impressive fitness offerings that include a movement studio for yoga, pilates, and more. It also includes five tennis courts and a number of trails for biking and hiking adventures, not to mention the opportunity for moonlit desert walkabouts.
4. The mountains
It turns out those light, airy and serene feelings you experience when being the mountains aren’t just all in your head. Expert backpackers who studied their own brain waves in nature using a portable EEG found that after three days in a natural environment, your senses become heightened and your brain has an easier time focusing. Hiking in the mountains or taking a trek to a mountain-area resort can refresh and energize you in many ways.
One of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world is right in California -- the redwood forests of Big Sur. The Post Ranch Inn has stunning natural architecture that seems to grow right out of the ground. Its beautiful, spacious, eco-friendly rooms offer both mountain and ocean views, as well as private patios and comforting wood-burning fireplaces. The resort offers free yoga and stargazing, as well as holistic shamanistic services like soul retrieval, divination, and fire and drum ceremonies.
5. A Secluded Ranch
Often nestled on a remote property in a visually-stunning location, holistic-focused ranches are becoming increasingly common in the U.S. These ranches often offer meditation, yoga and fitness classes to help bring you back to a mind-body balance. Many holistic-focused ranches also have a professional chef on-site, providing highly nutritious meals that help you cleanse your system of any toxins. Ranches typically have many types of outdoor activities, including hiking trails for contemplative walks, and there are quite a few upscale ranch retreats that have their own private spa on the property.
The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, for example, is the world’s only 5-star ranch. It offers spectacular views, gorgeous suites, horseback riding, farm-to-table meals, and daily activities guests can participate in whenever they want. It also includes all gear and guides, and airport transfers to make the whole experience stress-free.
The fact is, occupational burnout and work-related stress can frequently lead to more serious issues like depression, anxiety and alcoholism. In addition to supporting those with more minor concerns, holistic retreat centers and other mind-body-spirit locations can serve as a refuge for those struggling with mental health or substance abuse problems.
If you or someone you love may struggle with addiction, don’t wait to get help. You can find resources at many websites, including Rehab.com.