This wellness retreat is perfect for burnt out workers

As a full-time freelance journalist, my work-life balance is definitely skewed. (Or maybe it doesn’t exist? Honestly, it’s your call.) I absolutely love what I do and am always eager to say yes to new assignments and opportunities. But that often makes it difficult to just sit down and step away from your laptop.especially when you are traveling. I travel a lot, both for work and in my personal life, and I’m often stuck in places with strong Wi-Fi connections. (Pool! Cute cafe! From the comfort of my Airbnb!) I’m not averse to working on the go. That flexibility is one of the best parts of being your own boss. But I think about it often. A better way to achieve actual balance. My stress levels and mental health will definitely thank you!

So when I was invited to a four-day stay at Rancho La Puerta, I was excited but admittedly nervous. Located in Tecate, Mexico, 76 miles southeast of San Diego, this wellness retreat prioritizes mind, body, and connection with others, but not necessarily with the internet. In fact, to give employees a sense of immersion, there are only a few areas on his 4,000-acre property with Wi-Fi connectivity, such as the lobby and business center (as well as dozens of hotel rooms). Even “Casita” could not be connected). I thought to myself as I looked at my laundry list of assignments and emails to complete during my stay.

As soon as my husband and I stepped off the shuttle provided to the retreat from the US-Mexico border, I immediately felt an unmistakable fear in the pit of my stomach. “I? Really Are you going to spend this entire trip holed up in a dark business center? ” I asked myself. “What other choice do I have? I can’t leave my customers alone because I have too much to do to rest.” At the same time, I felt sad. I’m here in this gorgeous, idyllic Mexican paradise, and I’m focused on: work?That’s all about YOLO.

As soon as we checked in and settled into our room, my husband and I went to the dining hall for dinner. Guests sat at large round tables and mingled as they ate plant-based dishes. It was fun, but I was also a little worried about my future work.

But then something changed: After dinner, my husband and I were invited to attend an orientation hosted by Rancho La Puerta employees. He claimed We joined a few hours ago. There we were given the itinerary for the week. A rigorous schedule with multiple activities to choose from in each time slot, from cardio to yoga to crafts. I got some pro tips for classes. For example, Pilates was a popular item and there was limited space available, so we had to arrive early.

Next, they were given a blank piece of paper and went through an intention-setting exercise. At first I thought the whole process wasn’t to my taste, but you know, when you’re in Mexico. But as I was guided through each step of the exercise, it became very clear what I wanted. And frankly, necessary—How to get out of this journey: balance. We wanted to stay on track with our work, but we also wanted to make the most of everything this luxurious property had to offer. At the end of the exercise, they were asked to write one word in large block letters on the other side of the paper. And as soon as I carved out “balance,” I knew I had to find it.

Once back at my hotel room, I looked over my week’s itinerary and annotated my copy based on it. I wanted to do. Trampoline cardio and water aerobics sounded familiar to me, so I was participating in those classes in some way. But what about the times when there are activities I wasn’t into, like chair yoga or chanting? Well, it was okay to go down.

In the mornings, my husband, who has plenty of PTO, packed his day with pickleball and TRX training, and I took the gentle approach of attending whatever classes I wanted and filling out my free time slot. With a tight schedule and zero service, I was focused on the task at hand. What shocked me the most was what happened when I left the business center to attend class.

Whether you’re working abroad or from the comfort of your home, you often feel guilty about stepping away from your computer. (Which email or his Slack becomes unresponsive? What should I do? Until now But at Rancho La Puerta, I found that feeling of fear to be surprisingly absent. I was there and it felt even more exhilarating to return to the hotspot. By the end of my first day at the retreat, I was already beginning to feel a sense of balance that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

It wasn’t just a one-day wonder. The rest of the time at the retreat continued similarly. I would work part of the day, but would meet my husband for other activities. I nailed Tower Pilates, her husband channeled his inner gymnast with aerial yoga, and we both nailed dance routines for a hip-hop class. But perhaps our favorite part of the day was the sound bath, which took place in a sun-filled room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. We gathered blankets and pillows, set up a little spot on the carpeted floor (preferably next to a roaring fireplace), and listened to a medley of crystal bowls. Generally, 50 minutes of lying down without thinking is the perfect time to panic about everything you should do, but what about here? I felt an inexplicable urge to clear my mind, and just… well. Become familiar.

When it was finally time to go home, I felt refreshed, renewed, and completely ready to return to my full-time work schedule. While I may have entered the retreat feeling anxious about managing my work-life balance, I actually left feeling like I had the hang of it.

My stay at Rancho La Puerta was an integral part of my work-life balance journey. I strive to incorporate the principles of priorities and presence into my daily life, whether I’m at home or traveling far away. (Admittedly, the wireless backdrop of a retreat might be the perfect place to rethink my work-life balance, but these lessons can But when that balance feels a little off, I turn to a sound bath session in San Francisco to take me back to my own personal paradise.