If you sometimes feel like shouting ‘stop the world, I want out is to go on a retreat. One of the defi nitions of the word to get off’, it’s time to re evaluate and reclaim your life. And retreat is ‘a place affording peace, quiet, privacy, or security’. there’s no better way to do it than going to a retreat. And it needn’t involve religion or structure. A retreat is purely
We all know the feeling. Your boss is making you stay late about having time and space for yourself, away from the
– and even then you’re bringing work home. Your children demands of every day life. Retreats can last from a day to a
expect you to be a 24 hour taxi service/on call chef, two month, and people who go on them invariably report returning
of your friends are having the kind of crises that require to homes work and families feeling refreshed, revitalised
in depth counselling (from you), and your partner is and calm, with a much stronger sense of self. Because the
complaining bitterly that seeing you requires an appointment. simple act of doing away with all the distractions of daily life
On top of everything, the cat has a vomiting bug and the creates the freedom to think clearly, focus wholeheartedly
neighbourhood watch scheme is demanding that you take and re-examine and evaluate what is and isn’t important in
your turn as chairperson. Could you possibly be pulled in life.
any more directions? And when everyone’s had their little I believe this wholeheartedly, not least because I’ve
piece of you, will there be anything left? witnessed it at the retreat I myself run, from my home in
Recent research shows that one in fi ve UK workers don’t Devon, UK. A year ago, a friend suggested that a good use
stop for lunch. 70% of American workers are unhappy in for space newly vacated by grownup children, would be a
their current employment, because of work related stress. haven for frustrated writers. A tranquil place to write, in a
And another survey revealed tellingly that long hours and nurturing and supportive environment. I was charmed by the
stressful lives has resulted in a substantial drop in libido. idea of providing help and encouragement for fellow writers,
Stress is one of the biggest health hazards of our time. and sharing ideas and creativity. And in the spirit of giving, I
A little is healthy, but too much is a recipe for disaster. It christened our new retreat ‘Retreats for you.’
causes unpleasant symptoms – pounding heart, excessive I quickly discovered that visiting writers plus comfortable
sweating, breathlessness and anxiety, and it sabotages rooms with kettles and desks, and home cooked meals, equals
relationships and family life. Over time, excessive stress can prolifi c output. Many of our guests surprised themselves.
lead to serious health problems, including depression, back And what surprised – and delighted me, was the effect that
pain and heart disease. And the reality is that the only way taking someone out of their everyday environment, removing
to avoid it is to take a good long look at your lifestyle, and to the need to fi nd and prepare food, and the lack of demands
start fi nding ways to take time out. But as we hurtle through on them, had on our guests. People were blossoming during
our day at the hectic pace set for us by modern living, for their time with us, and, liberated from the minutiae of daily
many of us, time out has become a distant memory. Our life, discovering hidden depths, and huge determination
concept of work/life balance has grown so skewed that we within themselves.
regard collapsing exhausted in front of the tv at 10pm as Accordingly, ‘Retreats for you’ swiftly metamorphasised
time for ourselves – and even then we feel guilty. into a place where anyone who needs time out and TLC
Taking time out – the real thing - is about recharging your can come and write, paint, walk, meditate, or just be, in the
batteries, both physically and mentally, and consequently certain knowledge that they can be sociable or solitary, and
coping better with a busy life. It’s about being a little selfi sh, safe, in peaceful surroundings. The ethos of ‘Retreats for
secure in the knowledge that it will benefi t not only you, but you’ is no more or less than that of any true retreat. It is,
those around you. And it means setting aside a period of time quite simply, a place that gives you space.
for yourself every day. Half an hour will do. Go for a walk,
read a book, lie in the sun – whatever makes you smile. For more information on Retreats for you, log onto
A more comprehensive and intensely benefi cial form of time www.deborahdooleyjournalist.co.uk/retreat.html
International Lifestyle Magazine
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