Retreat When a Vacation is Not Enough

 

 

The World is Going Bonkers

The world is going bonkers, and it may feel like you are too. Stress is compounding daily. We are bombarded with negative news, messages and images that increase stress and anxiety. So, how can we Reset? The answer is Retreat.
In a recent episode of “Stress Talk” Live with Marcyline we kicked off the month with a discussion about the benefits of planned retreats. Stress Talk shares strategies for overstressed, over 40 “super” women to lower their stress levels to a “just right” point. When stress levels are “just right,” we have the motivation and energy to meet the challenges we face daily.

I talked about 3 Forms of Retreat that spring superwomen, like you forward while lowering stress and boosting energy.

Have you gone on a retreat recently? If you have, drop a Yes in the comment section and share the topic or focus of retreat. Retreats generally focus on one primary subject. The Daily Meditation listed 12 Different Types of Retreats You Can Experience.

Vacation or Retreat

You may think that retreating is overkill. Why not just go on vacation? The spring season makes us yearn for vacations and a break. Advertisements encourage us to “spring into it” or to “Spring forward.” The idea, I suppose, implies an awakening. Trees, grass, and plants start to pollinate which causes many of us to sneeze, wheeze and blow our noses. Winter temperatures gradually increase away as they gradually warm up. The planet begins to turn green, and life is reborn. Flowers burst through the ground and bloom.

We have worked hard all winter and deserve a break. Right? Well, I suppose a break could be found in a vacation. I would strongly suggest that a breakthrough is what is needed. A retreat brings breakthroughs.

Why Do We Need a Breakthrough?

The Harris Poll conducted a survey on behalf of The American Psychological Association in March 2022. Over 3000 Americans were surveyed regarding stress and the causes of stress.

The survey determined the top sources of stress.

• Rise in prices of everyday items due to inflation (e.g., gas prices, energy bills, grocery costs, etc.) (cited by 87%),
• Supply chain issues (81%),
• Global uncertainty (81%),
• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (80%)
• Potential retaliation from Russia (e.g., in the form of cyberattacks or nuclear threats) (80%).

The survey also determined that Americans were still experiencing negative effects of the Pandemic.

• Two-thirds of adults (63%) say their life has been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Majority (51%) reported this change as neither positive nor negative—simply different—the long-lasting implications of the pandemic are clear.
• The survey also revealed continued hardships for vulnerable populations, concerns for children’s development among parents and entrenched, unhealthy coping habits.

Americans struggled to cope.

• Two-thirds of adults (63%) say their life has been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Majority (51%) reported this change as neither positive nor negative—simply different—the long-lasting implications of the pandemic are clear.
• The survey also revealed continued hardships for vulnerable populations, concerns for children’s development among parents and entrenched, unhealthy coping habits.

Family Conflicts and Separation played a major role in the mental well-being of Americans.

• Two-thirds of adults (63%) say their life has been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Majority (51%) reported this change as neither positive nor negative—simply different—the long-lasting implications of the pandemic are clear.
• The survey also revealed continued hardships for vulnerable populations, concerns for children’s development among parents and entrenched, unhealthy coping habits.

Over half of the respondents shared that they did not receive an adequate level of emotional support during the pandemic. Research has shown that we are emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually healthier when we have healthy supportive relationships.

While a vacation will provide a break. We need something that will provide a breakthrough. A retreat provides that opportunity.

Defining Retreat

Retreat may be defined in several different ways. For our purposes we have chosen the following definitions from the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary.

An act of going back or away especially from something dangerous, difficult, or disagreeable. Think of a conflict that is not going as planned. The commanding officer may give an order to retreat, allowing his troops time to rethink strategy and to develop a new plan. It also provides time for healing.

A retreat could also be a place of privacy or safety. Think of a cabin in the woods or mountains tucked away from all city noise, commotion, and vitriol. It is a place in which the resident feels safe, stable, and secure.
Another definition is a period in which a person goes away, to pray, think quietly or study. Some of you may imagine a monk or group of monks who live in a monastery. This type of retreat is available to us all.

4 Features of a Retreat

Retreats have four distinct features. First, a conscious decision is made to retreat. The decision creates space for the action of retreating. Additionally, an intention is set. When we set an intention, we resolve or decide to act in a certain way.

Privacy and Safety are the second distinct features of a retreat. This allows us to feel safe, stable, and secure. You may ask how you could have privacy when you are retreating with others. Your thoughts and feelings remain private unless you choose to share them.

The third feature of a retreat is time. We should allow adequate time for the moment and for the need. The amount of time needed to achieve the breakthrough will vary by individual.

Retreating requires action, which is the fourth feature. Retreats will provide opportunities to engage in activities, to learn skills, to increase awareness and to practice behaviors, that produce desired outcomes & long-lasting benefits. This another way of saying Breakthrough.

We are living in an era of much change, great uncertainty, and chronic ills that don’t seem to go away. All month we are going to talk about and share the various retreats and retreat methods that “super” women over 40 can use to renew, re-energize, and replenish their energy.

Sources:

American Psychological Association. (2022, March 10). Inflation, war push stress to alarming levels at two-year COVID-19 anniversary [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/03/inflation-war-stress

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Retreat. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retreat
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