Five Benefits of Attending a Retreat

Retreats allow you to reflect, recharge, and renew—and they do so much more. Here are five benefits of attending a retreat.

1. Breaking Your Daily Routine 

Routines are important. They offer stability in an otherwise chaotic world. But from time to time, it’s equally as essential to break them. Sometimes, a break in routine can clear your mind: you may discover something new about yourself. Other times, it may unlock creativity—a necessity if you work in a creative field, are an entrepreneur, or crave creative expression. A retreat allows you to step away from your structured regimen and provide some much-needed clarity—no matter the reason.

2. Connecting With Nature

Immersing yourself in nature has many benefits: it can have a de-stressing effect, may improve attention spans, can reduce fatigue, and the list goes on. Located on picturesque Salt Spring Island, connecting with nature is built into every aspect of enso’s retreats. Whether you walk through the woods or lie along the secluded beach, there is no shortage of ways to get back to nature during your retreat. 

3. Incorporating Mindfulness 

The benefits of mindfulness and meditation have been long-touted by scientists, spiritual leaders, and corporate executives alike. Mindfulness and meditation can reduce anxiety, help treat depression, and, interestingly, can improve feelings of body satisfaction. Here at enso, we incorporate a mindfulness and meditation practice every morning—a “shower of the mind,” as our founder, Dori Howard, likes to say. You’ll feel relaxed all day long.

4. Meeting Like-Minded People

Like attracts like. Depending on the nature of the retreat, fellow attendees will share similar interests and values as you do. And unlike large retreats, ours are typically 12 people or less, creating an intimate setting to bond with others easily. Whether you attend our writing workshop or our female first-responder retreat, you can develop long-lasting friendships with like-minded people.

5. Long-Term Benefits

Unlike a regular vacation, retreats offer long-term benefits. Whether you develop a new mindfulness practice, make new friends, or remove a creative block, your experience stays with you long after you leave. But don’t take our word for it; see what others have to say.

About the author:

Carli is a marketing and communications specialist based in Squamish, B.C. Explore her work here.