Our approach
It's all about balance
At The Monastery we believe in taking a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. We recognise that everyone is different and each of us has different life experiences, so our retreats are tailored to suit the individual.
The programme offers a balance of nutritious food, activity, relaxation and fun; as well as enjoying time alone and in a social setting. These are the essential ingredients for wellness. An awareness of nutrition, physical fitness, stress management and relaxation techniques can also help when making ongoing lifestyle choices. We address all these areas through our programme.
Our approach is based on an internationally tried and tested model devised by Myers, Sweeney & Witmer in their Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle Manual.
Why is sleep important?
Sleep: it is a vital necessity of life. Although we all have different sleep patterns, sleep different amounts, and the quality of our slumber varies greatly, sleep is literally necessary to stay alive. Strangely, though it is just as important as breathing, many people overlook the importance of quality sleep.
At the Monastery we understand the importance of sleep and how lack of it can affect our wellbeing. We offer guided meditation, relaxation, homeopathy and herbal teas to aid restful sleep.
Why is fun important?
Having fun is an important part of stress management. Studies show huge health and stress relief benefits to laughter and even the anticipation of laughter. We believe having fun should be a priority in the life of anyone who wants better health, greater happiness and less stress.
At The Monastery, we believe having fun is one of the most important things you can do with your life. Instinctively, most of us know how important having fun really is because it just feels so good. But why does fun help? When you do something you love, levels of brain chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) rise, giving you a feeling of calm and happiness. During your stay at The Monastery we can support you to identify the things that give you satisfaction and inject some fun into your life.
Why is exercise important?
Most of us already know the importance of exercise for a healthy life. Research shows exercise is vital for ensuring that all bodily systems and functions work properly. Some of the common benefits include:
- weight control
- reduced blood pressure
- raised HDL (good cholesterol levels)
- reduced risk of diabetes, cancer and other diseases
- increased confidence.
People who do not exercise on a regular basis suffer from various ailments and diseases as they grow older, and also have to face the problem of obesity. Yet, many of us still don't have enough exercise in our lives.
Depending on the form of exercise that we undertake we can reap different benefits. Apart from building flexibility, endurance, stamina and strength, exercises and workouts also ensure that we expend enough energy in our bodies so that we can get enough sleep at the end of the day, and drive away anxieties and nervousness as well.
Rejuvenation
Combining healthy eating with restful sleep, exercise and fun can truly revitalise your body and your state of mind. At The Monastery we can structure a retreat that combines all three, offers plenty of choice and is just right for you!
