An estimated 400 million people worldwide suffer from mental or neurological disorders from psychosocial problems.
These include disorders related to alcohol and drug abuse. With such alarming stats, taking care of your physical and mental well-being should be prioritized.
According to Web MD, travelling can improve your mental health by helping you feel calm. Taking time from work to see new places releases the stress you've been holding onto while relieving the tension and stress of your work life lets your mind relax and heal.
Wellness retreats are the best way to get the full benefits of travel on mental well-being. It is a purposeful getaway to focus on your well-being.
A retreat provides a traveller with a respite from day-to-day life that lets you put psychological, physical and spiritual wellbeing at the forefront of your focus. For many, it offers the opportunity to unplug from your daily life to leave all your worries.
With that being said, South Africa has plenty of world-class spiritual retreat facilities to escape to when the world gets overwhelming or if you just want to reconnect with the self.
To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month this October, here are some of South Africa’s best wellness sanctuaries to retreat to.
Thaba Eco Hotel, Johannesburg
If you’re grieving, Mindmeld Wellness Retreat 2024 is a transformative experience designed to help you navigate the difficult journey of loss and separation.
According to event organizers, this retreat provides a sanctuary where guests can reflect, heal and ultimately learn to let go.
This year's theme, Letting Go: Dealing with Loss and Separation, focuses on the emotional and psychological processes involved in moving forward after profound life changes.
“Whether you're grappling with the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another significant life transition, our retreat offers a supportive environment to explore your emotions and regain your sense of balance,“ said the organisers.
Guests will experience an overnight stay at Thaba Eco Hotel in Johannesburg, share in round table discussions with thought leaders on wellness, mindfulness and growth, and enjoy a movie night at the hotel.
The retreat takes place from November 16 - 17 and tickets cost R4 500 per person and can be purchased through Quicket.
Waterfall Retreat Centre, Durban
Waterfall Retreat Centre sits on 28 acres over the Nkutu Valley in the Kloof area of KwaZulu Natal. The centre offers a nurturing day retreat venue in tropical surroundings with views and walks through the indigenous rolling landscapes of the preserved natural environment.
The practice of mindful awareness is at the heart of all the activities at the retreat.
The centre hosts a variety of gentle day retreats and Mindfulness Association study opportunities for all students from diverse backgrounds with a willingness to develop their own practice.
For those looking to experience a retreat, there are Sacred Sangha (community) sessions which feature nature walks, kundalini yoga, meditation and sound healing.
Through creating a nurturing space for the practice of mindfulness we hope to deepen our understanding of the mind. The centre also provides a venue for visiting facilitators both local and international.
You can book a stay through Airbnb for a stay at the centre’s Rustic Eco Cottage or Floating House.
Bookings for the Sangh session can be made on the retreats website and a group session from 9am to 11am starts from R250 a person.
A stay at the cottage starts from R1 450 a night. Bookings can be made through their website.
Reboot Retreat Holistic Adventure Getaways, Cape Town
Reboot Retreat Holistic Adventure offers a variety of three wellness retreats in South Africa's most breathtaking landscapes in the Western Cape.
The Mountain Meander in Cederberg, The Wild Flower Amble in Overberg and Private Retreats in the Garden Route, are crafted to rejuvenate a guests mind, body and spirit.
The retreats seamlessly blend exhilarating activities like hiking and stand-up paddleboarding with ancient wellness practices such as yoga, meditation and cold water therapy.
Ideal for solo travellers, couples and private groups, our digital detox retreats offer a rare chance to unplug from technology and reconnect with nature and community.
The Mountain Meander is a 6-day retreat designed to get your heart racing, detox from technology, immerse you in nature and get your senses in tune. The program is packed with physical activities - so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
A delicious vegetarian diet is prepared by a super talented private chef. The next retreat will take place from November 17 - 21.
The retreat costs R19 500 per person. For bookings, check their website.
White River Wellness, Mpumalanga
White River Wellness in the safari territory of White River in Mpumalanga we specialises in comprehensive and personalized programs designed to address the unique challenges faced by guest.
Its services cater to individuals struggling with burnout, anxiety, depression, and trauma, ensuring that each guest receives the dedicated care and attention they need for a successful recovery.
The wellness retreat has decades of experience, a holistic approach, and a team of dedicated professionals, providing a trustworthy and supportive environment where guests can heal, rejuvenate and transform their lives.
A 7-day restoration programme is interactive and enjoyable and incorporates weekly excursions to explore the stunning surroundings.
Staying in a standard private room, the program includes psychological therapy sessions, music therapy sessions, massages, pedicures and excursions.
It costs R33 000 a person. Bookings can be made through their website.