Some places bring tired people back to life. Teach us that it is ok to stop. In fact, it is essential to stop regularly!
Take away the noise and the screens and the rush and your body begins to regulate. Reconnection starts there.
These places work by taking things away, but also reminding us of the importance of stillness. The importance of the profound in the ordinary, where we actually give our attention to the things that matter most to the exclusion of the minutiae and that which matters least.
We get stuck in the ‘Business of Busyness’, where we almost feed our adrenalin addiction by continuous doing. The cliche is correct, are we human beings or human doings?
Our mission is simple, Help people to:
- Make sense of the nonsense
- Remove obstacles to success
- Build Hope and possibility (in alignment with the conditions of ‘true success’ and who they choose to become, doing what they choose to do).
Our self-directed retreats aim to provide the first 2 in an effortless way for our guests to experience themselves again.
The ultimate aim follows a sequence for each person to RESTORE – REVITALISE – RECONNECT. We have watched it happen thousands of times and begins with the choice to just stop, choose the environment, do what you want for a stretch. On your own or together, ultimately feeling better and reconnecting to your priorities, purpose, peace of mind or partner (or a mix of all).
We provide the environment. The location, so close to beaches, markets, restaurants and cafes, but also wrapped in nature, peace and clean mountain air.
We also provide the opportunities inside this environment for complete state change.
Jump in a sauna and a cold plunge and you will feel the difference.
Float in a magnesium sensory deprivation tank and you will feel the difference.
Therapeutic massage and a swim under the waterfall of our oasis pool and you will feel the difference.
Evening spa, cold champagne and a hypnotic fireplace and you will feel the difference.
Often just stopping long enough allows us the opportunity to feel different.
Your home might be working against you
Your relationship might be fine. Your house might be the problem.
Most homes are built for getting things done, not for rest.
Phones buzz every few minutes. Lights stay bright long after the sun goes down. Work email lands at the dinner table. All of it keeps your body on low alert.
Researchers found that 20 minutes in a natural setting drops your stress hormones (Park et al., 2010), yet we do it rarely, but we do tech and screens hourly.
So ask yourself. When did you and your partner last sit somewhere quiet for 20 minutes on the Earth with no screen between you?
What happens when the noise stops
Sometimes relief and sometimes panic. What do we do now?
Learning to stop and relax and go far slower than normal is in itself a skill. Practice builds that skill. We are adept at helping you do that.
By the second day the body stops bracing. it is something I have watched for 13 years happens. Individual restoration first, fill the cup together and reconnect organically. Quality time, in a quality place, sharing moments that matter most.
The fireplace pulls you back
Watching wood burn brings about a trance-like state. Literal trance.
Having a hot spa next to it whilst you watch it is an even quicker way to slip into trance. These states are some of the most health-promoting and restorative activities that exist, yet few seek them out regularly. Beggars belief, but change soon follows.
Sitting around a flame settles people and softens them (Taylor et al., 2000).
You do not have to try. You just have to be near.
Most couples retreats hand you exercises to do together. We do the opposite.
No workbook. Just the room to rest, side by side. Use the facilities if you choose. Hit the attractions similarly.
When you settle near someone you love and share together, the closeness comes back on its own. You do not need to force it. You do not book it in.
A calm person helps the person beside them go calm too. Sit near each other, rested and the rest takes care of itself.
How to bring some of it home
You can copy most of this without leaving your house.
Sit in the sun in the morning, find a quiet time and space. Read and reflect or share a coffee together. Do it on your own. Just do it.
Jump into cold water, at the beach, in your pool or a cold shower. It is visceral and brings you closure to aliveness.
Have a picnic, turn off your screens, take in the environment, slow down and simplify everything. Nature and grounding has its own discussion worth exploring.
Pick one room with no devices in it. Even a phone face down on the table changes how two people talk (Przybylski & Weinstein, 2013). Add a plant and some soft light. Sit there together for 20 minutes in the evening. No agenda. Just sit.
It sounds too simple to matter. Try it for a week and see.
Poolside relaxing Alaya Ascend
Why a weekend often runs out too soon
A lot of weekends away end just as the good part begins.
Your body needs time to come down. The research points to about three days for stress to properly unwind (McEwen, 2007). A packed two-night dash keeps you stimulated, then sends you home before you settled. If you are coming to rest, give it the time to work. Three nights beats two, four is better again and two beats none.
Common questions
How long should we stay?
Three nights is the sweet spot. Your body needs about three days to fully unwind. Two nights can feel over just as you start to settle.
Is there phone reception?
It is light up here, and that is on purpose. The wifi is minimal in the rooms. Most people miss it for a day, then stop wanting it.
Is this only for couples?
No. Couples and solos both come here to rest. The place works the same either way.
What is in each bungalow?
A fireplace, a jetted spa, a private deck and pool or mountain views. Each one is fully self-contained.
Where is it?
On a mountain top at Eudlo, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, 450m up.
Book direct and keep the 20% the platforms add
Four private bungalows on a Sunshine Coast mountain top. Choose your dates.
References
McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904.
Park, B. J., et al. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26.
Przybylski, A. K., & Weinstein, N. (2013). Can you connect with me now? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30(3), 237–246.
Taylor, S. E., et al. (2000). Biobehavioral responses to stress. Psychological Review, 107(3), 411–429.
