My Relaxing Retreat
Stress and diabetes are not friends. 🙅🏼♂️ It is really important for me to be aware of what (or in some cases, who - ha ha) triggers stress for me... And then what I can do about it to reduce those stress levels. One way is to change up my scenery and surroundings.
The hustle and bustle of city life is something I definitely couldn't live without! But with a long weekend on the horizon, I was determined to go somewhere relatively cheap and accessible, but most importantly somewhere I could feel relaxed, for what I have decided to call, a de-stress retreat. 😌
The hustle and bustle of city life is something I definitely couldn't live without! But with a long weekend on the horizon, I was determined to go somewhere relatively cheap and accessible, but most importantly somewhere I could feel relaxed, for what I have decided to call, a de-stress retreat. 😌
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Fred's Lifestyle BlogI got online and found just what I was looking for... A stunner of a beach house overlooking a white-sand beach in the sunny North parts of New Zealand. 😍 I slept, I swam, I sunbathed. My daily walks were made easier having little Wolfie with me and the beautiful beach on the doorstep. The bach had a kayak and fishing rod to use and a bookshelf of DVD's, books and boardgames for the evenings. It really was the perfect de-stress retreat.
Here’s my top tips for creating your own relaxing retreat: Disconnect from work I know, sometimes this is easier said than done. But it really is so important. 💯 It’s important because everyone needs an actual break here and there. We are only human and there’s more to life than just work! Giving your body and your brain a genuine chance of recovering allows you to recharge your batteries so that you can take life on with integrity. Before heading away for your de-stress retreat, ensure all of your work responsibilities and commitments are dealt with. ✅ Delegation is key here. Sometimes there is an expectation from work that you’ll continue and do some work here and there, while on your holiday. Obviously this is an issue that differs tremendously between different people’s work situation, their roles and positions. Nevertheless, it’s probably not a great idea to tip your desk upside down, throw your papers everywhere and declare to your boss that work is their problem until you’re back 😳. Instead, I look for the happy balance between being fair but also fair to yourself; you’re entitled to a complete break from work. It should be up to both yourself and your work to organise how your workload and responsibilities will be distributed or taken care of 📚 while you’re on holiday. Don’t be afraid to push back and protect this small window of opportunity to completely detach yourself from work temporarily. If you own your own business, and there’s just not enough delegation in the world that could help the business continue with a momentary absence of yourself, set yourself limits and rules for finding that balance between work and giving yourself a break. For example, you might set aside an hour or two over coffee of work each morning and that’s it for the day. Or, say to your employees that they should be calling you only if it is truly important or between certain times. ☎️ Technology who? No, you don’t need to deny yourself of all your devices. How do you think I took all these photos! Just be sensible about how you use and how much you use technology while on your retreat. For example, if you have a camera or are using the camera on your phone to capture your retreat, awesome! 📸 Of course, texting and calling when necessary is important too! I personally try to stay off social media though when the goal is to truly relax. It’s so easy to pick your phone up “here and there” and scroll through social media in an almost zombie-like-state and categorise that as relaxing. 🧟♂️ But it does all add up and soon enough you’ve spent way too much time steering into a small screen rather than taking in and absorbing what’s around you. 🌴 Honestly, you’re not going to miss much (if anything) - this time is about YOU. During my de-stress retreat I was really lucky that the place I went to already came stocked full of fun, relaxing and “old-school” activities! If it doesn’t, just pack these types of things yourself to take with you. You can never go wrong with a good book. 📖 Read something that you’re genuinely interested in, not just something that you think you should be reading! Personally, this wouldn’t be the time to start a “self-help book” that Karen your neighbour gave to you. Neither would the “economics in a globalised market” 😑 book that your boss recommended, be a wise idea. Instead, choose the book that’s more YOU. Something that isn’t necessarily going to develop your knowledge or give you life tips in the direct sense. Rather, opt for something that will nurture your more inherent interests. The romantic novel, the action and adventure, or the sci-fi mystery thriller. MUCH more relaxing than “how to be the best you” - UGH, another day! Aside from books... A deck of cards, board games and some classic DVDs that make you feel good are perfect for the evenings. The destination I went to was beautifully warm during the day, but at night the temperature dropped significantly and it was deliciously cosy. Put the fire on, rug up under a blanket, pour a glass of wine and enjoy! 🍷 Choose your surroundings wisely A de-stress retreat really does start with its surroundings. Your surroundings also set the tone for the rest of your stay... So it’s kinda (very) important! ‼️ For me, because I work in the city, travelling to another busy city has no appeal when searching for a de-stressing environment. My recommendation is to look for somewhere where you can’t hear cars... Instead, the sound of birds chirping and the ocean waves crashing will substitute nicely. 🐥 My de-stress retreat had a beautiful beach which wasn’t very populated as it sat at the end of a private street only accessible to its residents (cool huh!) There was also a lagoon and an estuary at the far end, about a 15 minute walk along the sand, which made for an enjoyable walk too. Once I got exploring a little more, I found paddocks and lush hill tracks that overlooked the ocean - stunning. Nature is also generally free. 🌿 The house was really beach-themed and beautiful but nothing incredibly fancy. And truly, that’s what made it feel so inviting and calming. I really appreciated the beauty in the basics rather than finding comfort in lavishness. My point is, you don’t need to spend bucket loads of money on finding relaxation. When I was growing up, Dad would take us tenting somewhere off the beaten track. Set up the tent, light a fire, catch a fish and watch the stars all night. ⭐️ Isolation isn’t the worst thing This applies to what I have said above, about your location being more in nature instead of the city. With that, you’re less likely to be surrounded by takeaway joints, supermarkets, restaurants or shops in general. Never fear, this is great news! 🎉 The closest town was a 40 minute drive away so stopping at the local supermarket on the way was a must... And the perfect opportunity to set my eating standard for the holiday! Grab food you know will make you feel awesome. 😎 Healthy is really important, because you don't want to be in a bad space with your sugar levels by making not so smart food choices... This is never relaxing. But, as always, I like to find the balance so that you enjoy your food too and it makes you feel like you’re really on holiday! For me, I like making delicious sandwiches with thin wholemeal breads and getting creative with fillings that I enjoy. I'll indulge in some delicious cheeses, but pair them with a wafer thin cracker, being cautious of my portion sizes. You also won’t be tempted to go and get anything naughty late at night 😏 if it means over an hour round trip or so to the closest shop! You'll likely save money buying in bulk rather than eating out each night as sometimes can be the case when you're away from home. 💰 Coffee consumption Personally, coffee relaxes me in a habitual, mentality sense. On this retreat, I loved making myself a cup of coffee and drinking it on the small porch just outside the batch overlooking the beach as the sun rose. ☀️ The difference though, is that on my retreat, I was drinking the coffee for enjoyment and relaxation rather than for work. At work I can sometimes drink coffee throughout the whole day. On this retreat, to really "zen out" 💆🏼♂️ I chose to limit my coffee so that I thoroughly enjoyed and savoured each sip. The minute I was drinking it out of habit rather than fulfilment, I stopped. This is a great chance to try out other drinks that you might not have at work... My Ginger Ale Iced Tea is a goodie! Enjoy the moment Lastly, but so importantly, take in the “now”. Sounds preachy, but it’s true. It’s so easy for our minds to be constantly working, contemplating what’s next and thinking about the future... 🧠 This isn't always a bad thing of course! But, on your de-stress retreat, strive for the mindset of switching off to future thoughts. This can be a little tricky. When thoughts such as... “Once this retreat is done...” pop into your mind, as best you can, let them wash over you and remind yourself where you are now and find the value in just being content in the present. 😌 Post your own ADM Lifestyle & tag us
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