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What it’s *really* like to go on a wellness retreat
Think retreats are just yoga, lentils and silent judgment? That’s not Megan’s experience. She shares what really happens on retreat plus her top tips for making the most of your wellness investment.
By Megan Burgess
I booked my first retreat at Gwinganna eco retreat thinking I just needed a break. What I got was a total life reset.
I was juggling too much, feeling a bit stuck and craving a proper circuit-breaker. A friend suggested I try a wellness retreat and I went along by myself, not expecting much. But after one misty morning Qigong session, something shifted. And over the next decade – through repeat visits, gentle nudges and a few surprising wake-up calls – my habits, health and even how I think about life quietly transformed.
Learn more about Megan’s first retreat here.
Now, I tell anyone who’ll listen how much I love retreats. But I’m usually met with raised eyebrows or nervous laughs. People say things like, “I’d be starving the whole time,” or “Isn’t it just yoga and green juice?”
So I thought I’d share what it’s really like to go on a wellness retreat, the myths, the magic, and what to know before you book. Spoiler: there’s a lot more to it than yoga and I’ve never once gone hungry!
First up, when I tell people about my love for Gwinganna, I often hear the same 3 reservations.
Myth #1: I won’t have enough to eat. I’ll starve.
I have never been hungry at Gwinganna. In fact, there have been days where I’ve eaten so much I didn’t feel like dinner. But you never want to skip a meal here as the food is sensationally good. It’s seasonal and organic, with much of the produce grown on the property.
Everything on your plate has a purpose, so you’re encouraged to eat everything (yes, even the edible flowers). And for meat eaters like me, it’s not all lentils and chickpeas (though Gwinganna somehow makes them taste like magic).
Note: Some retreats do prioritise a vegetarian diet, so if that’s not your thing, check the program before you book.
Myth #2: All you do is meditate and do yoga. That’s not for me.
While some retreats may focus on yoga and meditation, Gwinganna is much more than that. It embraces a balance of both yin and yang in its wellness philosophy, with a wide range of activities on offer.
That said, you might find your body craves something unexpected, so be open to new experiences.
Myth #3: I have no one to go with. I’ll look out of place.
Arguably the best experiences I've had on retreat have been when I have travelled on my own. While I’ve had a great time on retreat with a friend, going on your own is particularly special and deeply personal.
In fact, the majority of people I’ve met on retreat have also travelled solo, which forms an immediate connection. All this means you are unlikely to feel lonely and certainly not out of place.
My top tips before you go on retreat
A retreat is a big investment, so it’s worth doing a little prep. Here are my go-to strategies to make the most of it.
Safely wean off your vices
Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, smoking... whatever your vice, start to reduce it about a week out from your retreat. I only drink two coffees a day, but even then I’ll get a headache for the first two days if I haven’t prepared my body for no caffeine. And a headache is not a great way to start your road to wellness. Tip: for coffee fiends, switching to decaf helps.
Clear your schedule
Seriously. You don’t want to be distracted by everything else happening in your life when you’ve set time aside for your retreat.
- Because you deserve it: Use this as a digital detox and commit fully to the experience.
- Because you might have to: House rules at many retreats, including Gwinganna, are that mobile devices simply cannot be seen out of your room. On top of that, many retreat locations are purposefully built in areas with poor internet reception and no wifi, so you’re forced to digitally disconnect
- Because time vanishes: The days fly. Thinking you can squeeze in a call or Zoom meeting? Forget it.
Know what you’re in for
Going on retreat is usually a fully inclusive experience and, for that reason, they are often a big financial investment. If the schedule and activities simply won’t work for you, find a retreat program that does. At many retreats, the days start very early and finish early too.
While I might be exhausted from the day by 8pm, going back to my room to read for a bit before I go to sleep (there are no TVs of course!) is my idea of bliss… this kind of early night might not be for everyone.
Expect unexpected emotions
Retreat is a great time to experience something new. I’ve played drums on a fit ball and gone deep water running. I’ve participated in rituals like the fire pit ceremony and walked the labyrinth, designed to help let go of things that don’t serve me and help connect what I want to bring into my life.
I’ve been treated to unique spa treatments that have surfaced emotions I didn’t realise I was storing. On top of that, the gluten-free, dairy-free, low-human intervention diet resets the body’s digestion which can also produce unexpected emotional (not to mention physical) responses.
It’s all part of the rich tapestry of a retreat experience, so expect the unexpected!
Retreats are for real life, not perfect people
Retreats aren’t about being perfect. I find they are more about pressing pause, tuning into myself and maybe coming back a little different (in a good way).
And whether you go solo or not, detox or not, cry or not (actually, you will most definitely cry at some stage), one thing’s for sure: you’ll leave with beautiful stories, a profound sense of calm and probably a whole new way of looking at the world.
Feature image: iStock/Anderson Coelho
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