Six Top Retreats and Spas to beat burnout

“Burnout” is a term that has become increasingly used to it over the past decade. A report released by Charity Mental Health UK in early 2024 revealed that one in five people voted for due to the mental health crisis must take a break from work. Another shocking stat: 35% of adults experience extreme stress, so the UK could be caught up in a “burned out country.” In a world of passion and increasingly connected, you can feel like there is no escape.

Thankfully, many of us recognize symptoms and seek help – and it's there. More wellness centres offer customized burnout. Examples include a 28-day immersive program at Clinicless Alpes in Switzerland and a digital detox on a burnout recovery journey at Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey County, California. The latter, along with sleep hypnosis, targets technology fatigue with a “cutting to cut” approach.

Meanwhile, Michel Thomas has established a Portuguese retreat centre for Quinta Carvalhas. “The common threads of burnout are chronic fatigue, mental mist, separation, and an increased sense of overwhelming even small tasks,” she explains. “Very commonly, people just don't feel like they are.” They get hooked on getting the small portus tasks accurately and correctly, ignoring the bigger things. That's what we're going to tackle here. ”

In the UK, there are 20 off-grid cabins nationwide, unplugged. Co-founder Hector Hughes says he experienced burnout while working on a high-tech startup. After spending two weeks at the Himalayas silent retreat, he made plans to create his own retreat. There, guests were completely off (handed over the device upon check-in) and they had a natural surrounding charging.

The formats of burnout retreats vary, with some focusing on speaking therapy, while others provide silence and isolation to soften the thread. But what they all agree on is the need for a nurturing and replenishment environment: a safe space. Below we highlight six of the best, from mindfulness breaks in Portugal to hiking stays in Canada.

“Firmete” means “rest” in Puglian's dialect, and the spirit of this new retreat revolves around the creation of a sanctuary for the heart. This concept forms part of the Borgo Egnasia's revitalization wellness programme set in the ancient Borgo (Hamlet) in the peaceful Poulian countryside of southern Italy. The 5-day program allows guests to pause, breathe and refocus. Custom-made workshops are designed to help you regain balance, release your mind from negativity and support cognitive functions through activities such as juggling and outdoor yoga. These are mixed with more traditional approaches such as massage and meditation, but sensory walks between the olive trees and bathing in the forest encourage guests to reconnect with nature. The five-day retreat costs from 4,720 euros (£3,900) per person on a full board basis.

This farm-turned-slow retreat is a place where you can have breakfast in your pyjamas. Owner, yoga teacher and Reiki Master Michelle Thomas explains that guests arrive in the hopes of being active and doing things, but gradually letting go as they find inner peace and tranquility. A minimum of 3 days of deep rest is required before energy levels rise and there is a mental space in which they are involved. Quinta Carvalhas is an hour away from the countryside of Lisbon in Rolling Green Ribatejo. The team will help guests organize their own tailor-made retreats by choosing from activities such as sound healing sessions, yoga, meditation, Reiki, and art and equine therapy (using the power of horses' healing). Swim in the vast saltwater pool, hear the birds sing, sink onto the pond, feel the earth under their feet, and help them rewind and reconnect people both naturally and themselves Masu. Prices start at around 720 euros (£595) per person for a 3 night stay on a full board basis.

Wellness travel pioneer Stella Fomi founded Wellbeing Escape after her on-flight career experienced her firsthand. She sees it as a modern trend. “A survey we conducted last year showed that 53% of our clients named us as the biggest reason to book with us,” she says. “I think burnout comes from normalizing or pushing chronic stress symptoms, and we see an increasing demand for professional retreats to beat it.” So in March she begins her annual two-day retreat, teaching preventive techniques and sharing her experience and expertise. She invites experts such as change coaches and writer Claudia Ross. The retreat takes place at the 17th century Tofte Manor, surrounded by 50 acres of property. It shows you how to focus on self-care, reduce chronic stress, slow down, and protect against burnout. Activities include mindful movements like recovery yoga and Qigong, stress management, seasonal diet and journaling workshops, and pre-sleep sound baths to calm the nervous system. The two-night retreat takes place between March 14th and 16th, and costs £595 per person in a shared room.

The desert Meat Coast oasis at the northern tip of Qatar, the legendary Thai Wellness Resort's front post in the Middle East is designed with architecture designed to resemble traditional Qatari villages. Chiva-Som's philosophy of happiness believes that a balanced mind, body and mind will make people flourish. Here, the team is trying to achieve this by mixing traditional Arabic with Islamic Medicine (TAIM) with modern treatments, and a personalized burnout retreat begins with a wellness consultation. From there, the therapist creates a targeted, tailor-made stress reset program. Daily, designed to help guests recover from mental fatigue and make sustainable lifestyle changes, with holistic activities and tado with heated stones and herbal oils to help with lymph drainage It is a mixture of relaxation treatments such as leak massages. Add this to meditation, Pranayama breathing, Reiki, Tai Chi slow rhythmic movements, and learn to turn off guests. Starts at £650 per night.

Separating from the noise and distractions of the modern world can alleviate the symptoms of adrenal burnout. Maamunagau Resort in the Maldives recognizes the healing power of peace and tranquility, and the silent immersion programme of Hermit Day allows guests to sink into the tranquility surrounded by the beauty of Raa Atoll. While privacy and quarantine spends days, our dedicated wellness mentors design personalized programs for activity and mindfulness practices. Yoga, meditation and spa treatments promote relaxation and help guests reconnect with themselves. “Our quiet retreat was inspired by the desire to create sanctuaries for those seeking a break from their busy lives,” explains Wellness Mentor Sheema Rana. “This quiet state allows individuals to focus on their thoughts and feelings. By integrating mindfulness practices with a holistic wellness approach, we can help people feel a greater sense of peace. We aim to help you achieve the villa from £780 per night based on two shares.

“Health, Happiness, Hiking” is the promise of this hideaway set in the majestic mountains of British Columbia. For the past 30 years, Mountain Trek has helped people reboot their minds and bodies from their pine-wrapped lodge bases. Created as a place to unplug and charge, this guest encourages you to start your day with green smoothies and detoxified lemon and ginger tea. From there, expect daily 3-4 hours of hikes, functional fitness classes, lifestyle talks, sunrise yoga, guided relaxation sessions and therapeutic massages. The site is free of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, and a combination of physical exercise, recovery massage and mental health discussions combine to bring guests back home and rebalance their physical, emotional and mental health. . A weekly health reset package starts at £5,250 per person, and costs on a comprehensive basis.