Spa/retreats for anxiety?

krustylouise

Hi,

I didn't know where to ask this but wondered if anyone knew if there was such a thing as the above in the UK {that doesn't cost the earth?!}

I have lived with GAD and panic attacks for a long time now and for the most part have been tolerable, but recently they've come to the surface again and while manageable and I'm still seeing a lovely counsellor I feel like a break away might do me good.

I have zero self compassion, always criticising myself, always feeling guilty, always paranoid I could've done more, so I feel being good to myself and having a break away {if there were people there able to teach me methods of coping better would be a bonus}.

Thanks for reading x

lisyloo

There are lots of lots of well-being type retreats that include meditation, tai-chi, yoga, workshops, one-to-one therpay, spa, colonic irrigation (usually optional), massage and often nutrition.

These are often not cheap due to the nature of the treatments/therapy but many do not cost the earth either.
You need to find one that suits you - for example you might want to concentrate on one that is more about the mind rather than one that focuses on nutrition or yoga.
There are hundreds of choices so really you need to do lots of googling, reading reviews and find one that suits you.

I have been considering these
http://the!!!!itlife.com/calendar/#
(that link has been censored but its a 4 letter word begging with f).
Personally I would probably do one of the lower costs weekend first before commiting to a whole week in Italy.

They do books so you can see if the philosophy suits you first without a massive commitment.
That's not really a recommendation because I think the needs are personal.

Here's a couple more that I've seen advertised (abroad).
http://www.skyros.com/holistic_holidays.htm
http://www.cortijo-romero.co.uk/

It sounds like you defintely needs to give yourself a break and stop beating yourself up but I know what you mean about practical techniques. I can read self-help books and it all makes sense, but putting it into practice is where I hit a block.

I would prepare yourself some long googling sessions. If something really clicks with you then do it,.

Personally I think I'm going to try one of the London weekends once I've got a London flat.

You could also look for books.
I'm not trying to put you off having a break, but books are cheap and you can read them on the bus and get started straight away.

But it's true that happinnes is an inside job and you need to get some control over all the negative stuff going on inside your head (easier said than done I know).

krustylouise

Thanks Lisyloo,

At present money is a big problem as i'm getting married in October, plus all other day to day costs on top of that so I was hoping for something in this country {aside from money I don't even have a passport!}

I will google tonight when OH is at home and DD is with her Nana.

Thanks again

lisyloo

I haven't directly compared but although you would remove travel costs, property and other costs are high in the UK.

Up to you, but I certainly wouldn't assume the UK is cheaper.

krustylouise

lisyloo wrote: »

I haven't directly compared but although you would remove travel costs, property and other costs are high in the UK.

Up to you, but I certainly wouldn't assume the UK is cheaper.

Yes I agree, but traveling abroad just isn't feasible for me. I don't have a passport, I wouldn't feel comfortable traveling alone and I don't have someone to look after my daughter longer than a couple of days.

angelil

Groupon or Wahanda might have some spa day/retreat deals to suit you.

krustylouise

Thanks Angelil I'll take a look now

emg

Champneys do some specialised breaks

http://www.champneys.com/spa-resorts/spa-resort-breaks/specialist-retreats/mind,-body-fitness-breaks/

and also, on a normal break there they can arrange extras for you from practically every approach out there!

http://www.champneys.com/spa-resorts/treatments/alternative-therapies/

They are not the cheapest or most beautiful resorts but they are usually very helpful about planning a really personalised programme.

krustylouise

Thank you EMG, I'll take a look at champneys. Wahanda has been fab I've found some really good deals on it!

Racheldevon

Hi there,
I attended a retreat for similar anxiety reasons at Sharpham in Devon called sustaining ourselves through mindfuless, for me this was the first time I had fully got the chance to emerge myself in this way of being, and has led me to other mindfulness things since, here's the link: https://www.sharphamtrust.org/Bookings/Mindfulness-Meditation/Sustaining-Ourselves-Through-Mindfulness3


There's also the barn retreat which is partnered with the Sharpham Trust and runs more traditional mindfulness retreats:


http://www.sharphamtrust.org/The-Barn-Retreat


Rick Hanson is a neuro-psychologist that's done a lot around mindfulness, he is coming to the UK later this year: http://www.rickhanson.net/teaching/calendar He has some good books and audio CDs that are worth checking out.


Christopher Germer is very good around mindful self-compassion, his website is here: http://www.mindfulselfcompassion.org/workshops_present.php and it has free audio resources you can download to practice with - his book is also good.


Kristen Neff is also very good: http://www.self-compassion.org/
and has a range of free audio resources, the book also is good


Ronald Siegal has some really nice audio mindfulness resources http://www.mindfulness-solution.com/ that you can download for free


Brene Brown is also excellent, her website is here: http://brenebrown.com/ she has two TEDx talks that are good, and her books the gifts of imperfection & Daring greatly are really worth getting in my view.


The Compassionate Mind Foundation runs various events but these tend to be short 1 day courses http://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/training/workshops.htm


You can also access the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course through many NHS clinics, or can pay for it privately but this would be 2 hours a week 8 weeks rather than a retreat


Hope some of this is useful to you