Liz Barker
26 September 2022
- Retreat Interviews
Why go on a retreat in nature?
We don't just crave nature, we need it.
Nature underpins our very existence. It gifts us forests, rivers, oceans, and soil which provide us with food to eat, air to breathe, and water to drink. Nature feeds our wellbeing for our mind, body, and soul.
Retreats were once seen as a luxury and for more and more people they are now seen as more of a necessity.
Modern life takes its toll on our bodies and mind. Our ancestral roots are in nature and not so long ago we lived in the wilderness, walked barefoot upon the earth, and slept under the stars. In today's world, we eat, sleep and live our daily lives mostly cut off from the natural world. Spending too much time inside has a negative effect on our health.
Most retreats these days are held in beautiful places in nature and there is a reason for it. Being in nature has a host of benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. Let’s take a look at some of the great benefits nature retreats provide and why you should consider going on one.
Goodness for your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing
Spending time in nature has a magical way of lifting the weight off your shoulders and allowing you space to breathe and theres a ton of scientific research which reveals spending time in nature is good for both our physical and mental wellbeing. A lot of us have screen savers of oceans and mountains, or we listen to the sounds of crashing waves or use nature visualisation in mediation as it gives us a sense of calm and relaxation. It reduces stress and anxiety and positively lifts your overall mood how many times have you felt overwhelmed or stressed and taken a walk and it seems better when you get back? When we’re spending time in nature, we live in the moment, smelling the scent of pine trees listening to the birds sing, and heightening our senses. Being in nature helps us to feel alive, encourages a meditative mindset, and makes us happier humans.
Unplug and Disconnect
How many times have you taken a holiday and a few days in you are back on your emails? Being in nature truly allows you to unplug from it all. A digital detox allows our minds the time we need to switch off and unwind which is important for our psychological health.
Step away from your day to day
Stepping away from your daily routines removes the daily stresses. Follow your natural rhythm waking up with the sun and watching the sunset. Getting back to a simpler way of living helps you relax and quietens the noise. Life is so fast-paced we don't always get the opportunity to take a moment and so clarity can be lost. Breathe in the fresh air, slow down ad find yourself again. Reset and gain perspective to make better decisions and return to everyday life with clarity and a new outlook.
Reconnect to the natural world and yourself.
A nature retreat can be life-changing. The magic, power, and beauty of nature puts things into perspective and humble us. We realise how the small stuff doesn’t matter. Nature creates a sense of wonder, it slows us down and gives us space to breathe which helps us gain clarity and helps us realign to what really matters. You will return to everyday life with a new outlook and incredible memories.
So what are you waiting for book your next retreat in nature!
Liz is running her retreat next year in Wales. A 3 day weekend adventure of wellness and a chance to explore, recharge, and reconnect in nature. See all of the details on The Retreater and split the payment over 3 periods when you use our connection to Klarna.
All of our Nature retreats can be found here! Let us know if you have any questions we can help with.