Rebecca discusses how a detox retreat resonated with her.
After a busy few months, I sat in the sun at the weekend and reflected on the benefit of slowing things down, and how sometimes it can help you go faster and further. This wasn’t a new thought. The upside of winding down or even unplugging was something I’d learnt during a detox retreat last autumn, where I really slowed things down (with the help of yoga and meditation) to recharge my batteries.
A big part of the detox was to be in the moment, instead of allowing my thoughts to jump ahead to what’s on my to-do list, what’s for dinner, looking back on things I forgot to do or something I should have said in a conversation. I realised on the retreat that I was hardly ever in the here and now. One of the biggest reasons for this was my phone, so when I handed it in for the week at the retreat, it was an eye-opening experience.
Unplugging from everything (especially my phone) meant I was able to take a big breath and think about my present moment. It’s something I recommend to anyone! One of our activities was walking meditation, which is essentially where you walk around barefoot, taking in all your senses. You focus on what you can feel on the bottom of your feet, what smells are around you, the noises you can hear, how hot it is, etc. Without properly slowing down it’s difficult to really notice these things.
Stopping and learning to notice is a truly useful skill, but one that’s difficult to do when life is busy. The retreat gave me the mental space to assess where I was, how I was feeling and plan where I wanted to be, from a much calmer, more considered place.
When I received my phone back after the retreat, I realised that I went straight into my inbox and then looked at social media, but I also noticed the physical sensations that came with that. When reading my emails and messages, there were micro-stressors, that caused a tense feeling inside. When we go about our days without taking the time to notice how we feel, we’re constantly under attack from these self-created stressors.
By taking this week for myself and my well-being, I was able to change my awareness, and it made me fully aware of how powerful it is to unplug yourself. I don’t always use it, but I know when life is extremely busy, stopping to be present in the here and now is the best thing I can do, to gain clarity on what to do next.
I know it’s not possible to constantly take weeks away with no phone or distractions, but it’s possible for us all to put time aside and focus on the here and now. Even just ten minutes to myself throughout the day helps reset my mindset.
What are the causes of your micro-stressors?
