Wellness Beyond the Weekend: What We Learned on Our Wellness Retreat
By Melissa Gehl, MSW, CPXP
COO, Synova Associates
For some, wellness may seem like a lofty goal, an aspiration, or something that we do in spurts on the weekends or during vacations. But our bodies are screaming for attention. Does anyone else constantly feel tired? This is a running joke in my house: that I could sleep for 10 hours each night for a week and still feel tired. However, who has that much time for sleep anyway? For so many of us, we know that our constant headaches, stomach aches, or back aches are signs of distress, but taking the time to embark on a wellness journey seems momentous.
Wellness Retreat
Even though Lori Gunther, CEO of Synova, and I have been friends and colleagues for over 15 years, we have always lived hundreds of miles apart and spend most of our time on Zoom and Facetime. Therefore, finding time to be together, actually in the same place and headspace, is a gift and something that takes planning.
Lori was asked to speak at a conference in my area, and we realized it was a great opportunity to add a weekend wellness-focused getaway together. Embracing a wellness journey is something that we try to practice personally and integrate into our educational experiences. Having a planning retreat at an offsite location that offered wellness activities fueled our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Setting An Intention
When we arrived, we were asked to set an intention for the weekend. As a working mom with small children, my goal was to be present (despite very welcome text messages with updates about soccer goals and swim lessons). In general, I struggle with mindfulness. I am a planner and am constantly thinking about what is next and can completely miss out on the moments in front of me. With the limited time that Lori and I have in person together, I wanted to be solely focused on making the most of our time. During a 2.5 mile hike through a white pine forest alongside a rushing river, we found great solutions for an ongoing challenge. The experience of being in nature and away from our desks with no distractions unlocked some wonderful creativity (along with some adrenaline after being surprised by a turkey not very gracefully taking flight). By being mindful of each experience, like tuning into my breath during meditation and tasting new food at a cooking demonstration, I allowed myself to be fully present.
Lori’s intention was to be “all in” and say yes to trying new things. To her credit, I did most of the planning (as we have now learned), so most of her weekend was a bit of a surprise to her. Our wellness retreat was at the beautiful Kohler Spa, and as Kohler is known for their bath products, water was a big part of the spa experience. After a moment of hesitation around her spa itinerary that was not the standard massage or facial, her “when in Rome” mentality served her well. She chose a stillness bath, which, knowing Lori, being idle isn’t a strength of hers. And afterward, we both embraced the quiet and let the sounds of water and peace surround us.
Once our intentions were set, they were easy to stick to.
Your Wellness is Worth It
We all know that wellness is not just a weekend activity, but it can seem daunting to take a weekend full of wisdom, activities, and experiences and try to fit all of that into our everyday routine.
Our wellness retreat left us with some valuable lessons:
- Investing in yourself is worth it. Initially, we were hesitant to spend money on a wellness weekend, but in the end, it was money well spent as we gained valuable insights into our personal health reflections, as well as our roles as friends and business owners.
- Try new foods, even if you previously disliked them. Lori discovered that mushrooms aren’t that bad, and I overcame my fear of Kombucha.
- Take intentional moments of silence and listen to what your body needs. Whether it’s healthy food, a quiet meditation, or the sounds of nature, tune in and listen.
- Find your “people” and engage in good conversation. You don’t need a spa weekend to do this. Talking with someone who genuinely cares about what you say and how you feel, even over the phone, can be a great way to feel nourished by your surroundings.
Our wellness retreat taught us that taking care of our bodies and minds is essential to our overall well-being, and it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By setting intentions, trying new things, being mindful of our experiences, and investing in ourselves, we can incorporate wellness into our daily lives. It’s also important to surround ourselves with people who support us and make us feel good, whether it’s in person or on the phone. We encourage everyone to prioritize their own wellness and make time for themselves, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Remember, wellness is a journey, not a destination, and it’s never too late to start.
Call to action
Prioritize you wellness and make time for yourself, even if it’s just a few minutes each day.
