Stressed, depressed, or overwhelmed? We feel ya.
The term “wellness retreat” may bring to mind days filled with yoga (so much yoga), meals with a lot of uncooked veggies, and schedules that feel like work.
But we believe that a wellness-focused retreat should help you create meaningful change in your everyday life, instead of just a temporary reprieve from your inbox and commitments.
Whether you want your besties along or to recharge on your own, try these tips to plan a weekend escape for the mind, body, and soul.
1. Understand what you want most.
In other words, what’s the point of this retreat? What do you want to bring back with you? When you’re creating time and space for intentional self-care, it should be, well, intentional. Going in without a focus or a mission can make the experience feel unsatisfying.
2. Find a location close to nature.
Spending time in nature is restorative. It’s an escape from the sensory overload we experience every day, which is why it’s important to choose the location of your retreat carefully.
We’re partial to the beach here at Poosh (we know, shocking!). For an oceanside retreat, it doesn’t get any better than the Malibu Beach Inn. Each of the 47 rooms are thoughtfully designed with custom white oak furnishings and serene shades of blue and gray, with accents inspired by the ocean views. They also boast a plush king-sized bed with Italian linen sheets, walk-in shower, private balcony, and fireplace, enhancing the restful atmosphere and making it oh-so-easy to unwind.
The hotel’s dining deck serves up locally-sourced, seasonal fare and picture-perfect views of the iconic Malibu Pier. Coffee there is the most enchanting way to start your morning, complete with a dewy, magical quality that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
And since the hotel sits right on the water, the soothing sound of waves crashing on the shore gently lull you to sleep at night—no white noise machine required.
3. Create a take-what-you-need schedule for the weekend.
Self-care isn’t the same for everyone. So have some things planned, but choose what you want to do as the day unfolds.
And remember, the trip doesn’t need to be jam-packed with activities. Alone time is important, especially after any events that are physically or emotionally draining. Take all the time you need for personal reflection and rest.
Plan health and wellness-focused activities, as well as those that foster stronger bonds and connections.
Try creating a simple schedule from the morning through early afternoon, and build in some unstructured time for people to chill before gathering together for dinner and evening wind-down rituals.
4. Take it outdoors when you can.
The Malibu Beach Inn’s privately-owned shore makes the perfect backdrop for oceanside activities. Recline on the property’s Italian lounge chairs for a journaling session by the ocean, do a yoga or breathwork class on the sand, or take a sunrise/sunset beach walk.
5. Make the most of your accommodations.
Explore your hotel and discover those private places where you can create spontaneous gatherings or pamper yourself. We love that each room at the Malibu Beach Inn has a private balcony (because everything is better overlooking the Pacific Ocean). Imagine setting up a DIY breakfast bowl station, or a game night, or even a massage al fresco.
6. Focus on quality sleep.
Sleep is so vital to our mental and physical health, yet most of us do not get enough of it. A wellness weekend allows you to prioritize a calming wind-down routine with both group and solo activities. Need some ideas? Try stargazing, gathering for a poetry or book reading, journaling, meditation, or a sound bath.
With “sleep tourism” on the rise, your hotel may even offer some unique sleep-related amenities or experiences. For example, the Malibu Beach Inn has sleep suits—special rooms with snooze-enhancing details like Sleep Number 360 i8 mattresses that can track your sleep pattern, heart rate, and breathing, Therabody Smart Goggles that combine eye and temple massage with heat and vibration to help you de-stress, and Vosges Dream Truffles with soothing ingredients like chamomile tea and lavender.
By thoughtfully blending nature, wellness practices, and rest, your weekend escape can become the perfect reset—leaving you recharged, rejuvenated, and ready to bring more balance into your everyday life.
*This post is a paid partnership with Malibu Beach Inn*
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