Simply..retreating....

10/1/2018

After the success of my first ever health retreat last January (see here and here) I am planning to do a home version of it this month.

Here is the plan so far. I am preparing now. Over six days later in the month ...

I will start the day with water and lemon juice and skin brushing, morning pages and a freshly made juice. I'll have three juices every day and either soup or a very light meal in the evenings. I'll walk 10,000 steps each day, take naps and magnesium baths, read poetry and motivational books,. do a little yoga, and switch off all technology for most of the time and certainly 2 hours before bed. (Sorry probably no blog posts for the duration!).

I'll also make appointments with my doctor and optician. I may have a massage and/or a sauna. I will try and find a body lotion without parabens or sulphates which doesn't smell of coconut. (I don't like to smell of food!). Any recommendations welcome.

I can hardly wait!

At least one reader of the blog has gone on Katrina's wonderful retreat and I do recommend it. It was a treat as well as a retreat and worth every penny.

I have a used copy of Jennifer Loudon's The Woman's Retreat book - quite a tome but dipping into it might give you some ideas if you fancy a retreat. It is subtitled A Guide To Restoring, Rediscovering and Reawakening Your True Self - in a Moment, an Hour, or a Weekend. (There's a copy for £2.90 on Amazon today.)

More when I come back here in a week...meanwhile you might like to browse previous Januaries?

Hyacinths to feed thy soul..

16 Comments

Madeleine

10/1/2018 04:01:46 pm

I hope you will get a massage, it would be wonderful for you to be nurtured by someone else other than yourself! It all sounds wonderful - filling the well, which many of us forget to do regularly!

I don't use body lotion but absolutely adore Jurlique Rose body oil - divinely scented and silky, and doesn't leave skin oily.

I've recently started an Ayurvedic morning routine in an effort to prevent stress and illness (instead of shutting the gate after the horse has bolted). I splash my eyes 7 times with cool water, scrape my tongue, brush teeth and wash face and drink a small glass of water (sometimes with lemon). Then I spend about 15 to 20 minutes doing some yoga, then breakfast and shower. Hoping to add meditation in next but I'm still in the 'too busy' rushing mode and start to panic about everything that needs to be done! Hopefully my yoga practice will lengthen and I'll feel relaxed enough to slow down soon :-)

Madeleine.x

Freda

11/1/2018 12:36:30 am

Quick first thought Madeleine - what about the inverse - slowing down enough to feel relaxed? Might work....

Gail

11/1/2018 02:27:36 am

Hoping your lovely plans restore you. I’m inspired to do a Sunday afternoon of fruit eating, walking, no technology

Freda

16/1/2018 02:50:06 pm

Sounds a treat!

Lucille link

11/1/2018 05:48:02 am

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm. Or any of their products really. We keep it in the car to de-stress whoever is driving.

I am having to examine my complicated reaction to the notion of my ever carrying out a home retreat.

Freda

16/1/2018 02:51:23 pm

Thank you for your recommendation Lucille. A mini retreat to start?

Julia

11/1/2018 11:00:49 am

I honestly believe that as a society and culture, we are at a tipping point of too must stress, too much stimulation, and too much of everything! We are all symptomatic. And how wonderful to be able to slow down enough to recognize that quiet, retreat and self-care are needed..and the ability to be able to do that! Your retreat plans sound excellent freda...we will miss your posts while you are gone on holiday, and also on retreat. Isn’t it interesting that less than a 30 years ago, pretty much everything was closed on sundays and holidays. We all had a chance to be quiet, once a week. Madeleine..keep up the good work! Gandhi had a saying: i will be so busy today that i will need to meditate for 2 hours instead of one.

Freda

16/1/2018 02:52:19 pm

I miss Sundays.

Viv link

11/1/2018 03:04:34 pm

Brilliant idea to do this - I would love to but at the moment my weekends are booked and we have a funeral coming up but no date - perhaps I will try for February.

Freda

16/1/2018 02:53:34 pm

I am sorry to hear about the funeral. February is a great month to retreat Viv..

PennyL

12/1/2018 11:36:49 pm

Hope your retreat leaves you feeling rested and invigorated, ready to enjoy all that 2018 has to offer. xx

Freda

16/1/2018 02:54:07 pm

Thank you Penny L.

Liz Wood

13/1/2018 06:26:58 am

Sounds great. It was me who went on the retreat in November. I had read about your experience. I found it amazing. In fact, I’m going back in April. Good luck with your home version. You’ll feel amazing by the end of it.

Freda

16/1/2018 02:55:29 pm

That you are going back is a real recommendation Liz. Perhaps we should all meet up there one year!

Lotta link

13/1/2018 09:36:51 am

Sounds wonderful Freda. A week to focus inwards and nurture yourself is such a gift. How about Weleda for natural body lotion/oil? Or you could make one... I've just been making moisturiser! Hope you'll have some lovely flowers around you too to set the scene...

Freda

16/1/2018 02:57:03 pm

I shall look at Weleda, but I can't see me making my own...perhaps you'll blog about how?

Simply..retreating....

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