“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” – Rumi

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to enjoy a mental health day. That’s a day we take off from work or school to step back from our hyper-connected, over-stimulated world and focus on the basics: reducing stress, eating healthy and disconnecting from the noise. But sometimes a day is not enough to break free and establish better habits. That’s where mental health retreats — short or long vacations focused on your well-being — come in. These come in many forms, here are some ideas to get you started. 

Reducing Stress

For some, life has become a giant, stressful to-do list. Transport the kids to and from their endless activities. Finish the report so you can start on the next one. Take the dog to the vet, get groceries, clean the house, attend school events … the list goes on. On a mental health retreat, your to-do list is reduced to one item: relax. A few days at an all-inclusive resort will help you achieve this. Everything you could possibly need — food, beach, sunshine, drinks — is at your fingertips. The most stressful choice you’ll make all day is picking which pool to relax next to. Surrounded by palm trees, listening to the gentle waves, sipping on a favored beverage, knowing you get to do it all again the next day, now that’s a great way to reboot your soul.

Eating Healthy

Some people enjoy going off their diets while on vacation, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, for those who wish to return from a vacation as a stronger, healthier version of themselves, then it’s important to eat right. You’ll find a plethora of healthy food options when cruising, another stress-reducing way to travel. Many cruise lines feature restaurants focused on delicious and nutritious fare, such as Blu on Celebrity Cruises, Razzle Dazzle on Virgin Voyages and the Solarium Bistro on Royal Caribbean.

Disconnecting from the Noise

We all love our phones, but our attachment to them can be a bit dysfunctional. Popular apps are designed to be addictive, and too often we find ourselves staring down to check Instagram for the tenth time or reading work emails instead of looking up to enjoy real life in glorious 3-D.

It’s wise to reduce your phone use while embarking on any type of mental health vacation, giving you the literal peace of mind to properly appreciate the sea views and delicious food in front of you. But if you lack the strength to leave your phone in your room while you head to the beach, some destinations will take it for you. Offering digital detox packages, several resorts and tour providers will manage your phone use, physically keeping your devices away and only allowing you to check them for small periods of time. The resulting feeling is quite freeing, empowering you to be more in the moment and fully enjoy your vacation.