Why You Should Go on a Retreat

I rarely use the word should, but there is a time and place for it—when I tell my teenage son, “You should take a shower.” Or when I remind myself, “You should stop scrolling now.”

Lately, I’ve been telling clients, “You should go on retreat.” I put retreats in the “should” category because I see them, like showers or limiting phone use, as part of your mental and physical hygiene in this modern world.

I went on my first retreat at age 14. During those rocky teen years, my mom took me to hot springs in Ojai, sweat lodges in the Santa Ynez mountains, and even singing with whales on Orcas Island.

As an adult, I’ve traveled to retreat centers around the world with favorites in Peru, Costa Rica, and France, and I now take my kids on retreats and lead therapists and the general public on yoga and ACT retreats.

Why should you try a retreat?

Because magical things will happen for you.

You restore physically

There’s a synergy that happens when you eat whole foods, get enough sleep, move your body, slow down your nervous system, remove toxins, and engage in contemplative practices. You activate your body’s natural capacity to regenerate and heal itself. By the third day of retreat, my skin starts to glow.

You get a break from the daily buzz

Imagine a day without emails, pinging phones, driving, or the to-do list. Imagine taking the time you put into running your life and using it to live your life. On retreat you have time to watch a sunset, taste your food, look people in the eyes, and ponder a beetle as it crosses your path.

You make connections

Often people think of retreats as isolating, but some of my deepest friendships have formed while on retreat. You are with like-minded people who value connection and radical honesty which fosters vulnerable conversations and friendship. There’s no make-up, phones, or facade to hide behind.

You reset your habits

Participants can give up or start at least one new habit while they are there. It’s a lot easier to give up that glass of wine when it’s not offered at dinner or start a morning meditation practice when you don’t have to make breakfast for kids. When you jumpstart and strengthen your new habit on retreat, it’s established and ready to bring back home to more challenging environments.

You connect with nature

Retreat centers are usually located in beautiful settings. You will hear birds, see wild flowers, gaze up at night skies that are packed with stars. You can’t help but feel awe and immense support when immersed in the natural world.

You rekindle your spirituality

It’s hard to feel spiritual when your days are packed with to-dos. The quiet time, solitude, and ritual that retreats offer open the door to reconnect with your faith or grace as you understand it. There’s time to chant, pray, and meditate.

You remember who you are

There’s a homecoming that happens. You get to meet yourself again, reflect on your life and where you want it to head. You make fresh commitments and get clear on course corrections. Doing nothing is doing something. I often get emails from retreat participants saying that they returned and left their job, ended a toxic relationship, or started a new business. You need time to make big decisions with clarity, and on retreat you have all the time in the world.