ARTICLES & BLOG
Self-Renewal Retreat: A Powerful Reset for Mind, Body & Soul
In our always-on, fast-paced world, burnout has become far too common. Many of us feel the strain — emotionally, mentally, even spiritually — yet we rarely give ourselves permission to truly pause.
Enter the Self-Renewal Retreat — a wellness experience designed to help you unplug, reflect, and reconnect with your authentic self.
A self-renewal retreat is a period dedicated to recharging and revitalizing one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, often through focused activities and a break from daily routines.
They offer a chance to step away from stress, reconnect with oneself, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
These intentional breaks are more than a luxury — they’re a path to sustainable well-being.
In our always-on, fast-paced world, burnout has become far too common. Many of us feel the strain — physically, emotionally, mentally, even spiritually — yet we rarely give ourselves permission to truly pause.
When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves - Jack Kornfield
Enter the Self-Renewal Retreat — a wellness experience designed to help you unplug, reflect, and reconnect with your authentic self.
A self-renewal retreat is a period dedicated to recharging and revitalizing one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, often through focused activities and a break from daily routines.
They offer a chance to step away from stress, reconnect with oneself, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
These intentional breaks are more than a luxury — they’re a path to sustainable well-being.
A self-renewal retreat is a period dedicated to recharging and revitalizing one's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, often through focused activities and a break from daily routines.
What Is a Self-Renewal Retreat?
A self-renewal retreat is a restorative getaway centered on personal growth, rest, and self-awareness. Unlike typical vacations focused on activities and entertainment, these retreats offer stillness, solitude, and space to reflect.
These retreats can include:
Mindfulness and meditation sessions
Yoga or somatic movement
Breathwork and Laughter Yoga
Digital detox time
Journaling, Gratitude or creative expression
Self reflection and Introspection
Nature walks or forest bathing
Nutrient-rich, healing meals
Whether you're attending a weekend retreat with a group or planning a solo renewal retreat at a peaceful cabin, the goal is the same: to reset your nervous system and return to your life with clarity and energy.
Activities can include Laughter Yoga, Breathwork, Journaling, Gratitude, Mindfulness etc.
Why You Need a Self-Renewal Retreat
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or disconnected, a retreat can be a powerful catalyst for transformation.
Benefits of a self-renewal retreat include:
✅ Mental Clarity, Reduced Stress and Improved Mental Health: Stepping away from stressors and engaging in self-care practices can alleviate stress and improve mental well-being.
✅ Emotional Release: Allow space for healing and self-compassion
✅ Enhanced Creativity and Focus: Unplugging, Mindful practices and a relaxed state of mind can foster creativity and improve focus.
✅ Deeper Connection with Self and Increased Self Awareness: Time for reflection and introspection can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself. Opportunities to reconnect and re-align with one's values, goals, and purpose in life.
✅ True Rest, Renewed Energy and Motivation: Deep relaxation that supports physical and emotional vitality. A break from daily routines can help replenish energy levels and boost motivation.
A retreat can be a powerful catalyst for transformation
Types of Self-Renewal Retreats
You don’t need to travel across the world or spend a fortune. Here are a few options to consider:
At-Home Retreats:
Personal calendars and dedicated time blocks can create a wellness retreat at home, focusing on self-care and rejuvenation.Mini-Retreats:
Brief escapes, even a few hours, can provide a valuable opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation.Group Retreats:
These retreats offer a supportive environment for connecting with others, sharing experiences, and participating in guided activities.Guided Retreats:
Retreats led by facilitators can offer specialized programs like yoga, meditation, or other practices designed for self-renewal.
Retreats led by wellbeing facilitators Shaileen Shah and Saijal Ladd specialising in Gratitude, Journal, Breathwork, Meditation and other practices designed for self-renewal
Final Thought: Renewal Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Necessity
Self-renewal is not selfish. It’s essential. These retreats aren’t about escaping life — they’re about returning to it with more energy, clarity, and purpose.
If you’re hearing the quiet inner nudge to slow down… listen. Book the weekend. Light the candle. Breathe deeper. Your soul is ready for renewal.
Our Self Renewal Retreats Offer An Opportunity To Relax, Refresh & Reconnect Your Mind, Body & Soul.
We offer weekend away retreats, day retreats and can help you deliver a retreat for your organisation, group or community.
Invest in your self-renewal at our retreats designed to re-energise, refresh and rejuvenate your wellbeing whilst connecting with like-minded people for an unforgettably meaningful experience in a beautiful countryside setting.
Attendees from first retreat gave an average 9/10 rating for their overall retreat experience
Register your interest, more info and FAQs about our retreats here
Happy Life Habits and Saij Wellness Self Renewal Retreat
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Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
A Thousand Mile Journey Begins With The First Step...
Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.
The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey.
Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.
The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey. It was the year I also started my corporate IT career with a US based consulting firm by being proactive and creating my own luck. You can read more about it here: https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2023/08/01/work-ethic.
While working in Michigan, USA I was introduced to the classic and transformative The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People : Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr Stephen R. Covey. This had a profound impact on me. Around the same time while working in Chicago I flew back to London for a long weekend in November to attend with my family the legendary Tony Robbin’s 2nd ever UK Unleash The Power Weekend (UPW) Seminar. This is the one where on the first night you end up doing a fire walk over hot, smouldering coals.
The 7 Habits and the UPW experience were my first steps on a journey of self development and growth and of sharing with others what I was learning. One major learning has been to focus on Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal.
habit 7 Sharpen the saw : Principles of Balanced self-renewal
Covey says
“Habit 7 is taking time to sharpen the saw. It surrounds the other habits in the Seven Habits paradigm because it is the habit that makes the others possible.”
“It’s preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - you. It’s renewing the four dimensions of your nature: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.”
“Taking time to sharpen the saw is a definite Quadrant II activity.”
“This is the single most powerful investment we can ever make in life - investment in ourselves, in the only instrument we have with which to deal with life and to contribute. We are the instruments of our own performance, and to be effective, we need to recognise the importance of taking time regularly to sharpen the saw in all four ways.”
Physical: Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management
Metal: Reading, Visualising, Planning, Writing
Social/Emotional: Service, Empathy, Synergy, Intrinsic Security
Spiritual: Value Clarification and Commitment, Study and Meditation
The Self-Renewal Retreat
We have organised for end of September will share sessions on Self-Renewal and Energy Management. The Self Renewal was instilled from ideas from The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People : Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr Stephen R. Covey my first personal development book and start of my self development and growth journey. The Energy Management from my current book Arete by Brian Johnson and Heroic Coaching.
The focus on these themes have helped through out my journey and in particular in my current roles as a carer for my mum, family man, being of service in volunteer work for community organisation Young Jains and sharing through Happy Life Habits.
Acutely aware that Life is Short, I have habits, awareness and priority for how I use my Time (Planning, Priorities, Quadrant II), Energy ( Eat, Sleep, Move, Breathe) and Focus.
H.E.A.L.T.H =
Happy
energy
attention
life
time
habits
Progress on mastering these six, designing and crafting them into your awareness and every day routines will lead you to have a beautiful life.
Here is my very first blog article on Happy Habits for a Happy Life.
https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2019/1/15/happy-habits-for-happy-life-1
"The clocks may have gone forward one hour, we may have "lost" one hour. What's more important is how we use the hours we have left."
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker and Trainer
Recently I had a one week period of amazing experiences reminding me of how far I’ve come, my purpose and passion and the things that are important for Happiness, Health, Wellbeing and to flourish.
These were:
Thursday:
Last session of set of 5 of the Happy Life Habits Book Club with is working through the book Arete by Brian Johnson.. This was an engaging session with lots of insight sharing, differences made by applying the ideas and I left with good energy and motivation.
Friday:
Session 8 of my Every Day Happiness 10 week course with Mind in Enfield and Barnet. The topic was journaling. The attendees have been given course work for a few weeks to apply practices and it is wonderful to hear about them going for it, seeing the impact on their happiness score and observations of the what they experience.
Sunday:
We ran a in person Social Connection event with Young Jains, an organisation that has had a big impact on me and one that I have the opportunity to be of service to. A small group gathered, some familiar faces some meeting for the first time. We had deep and meaningful conversations that helped use connect and know each better. This was facilitated by some group questions such as “What is your favourite book and why?” to using various cards for one to one interaction. There was warmth, trust, open sharing and a strong sense of connection and belonging with like minded people. Social Connection is vital for our happiness, health and wellbeing.
The Social Connection continued with conversations continuing over a delicious vegetarian/vegan meal at Little Resham. Food for mind and the body. You can get a 5% discount at Little Resham if you mention Shaileen Happy Life Habits.
Wednesday:
On International Day of Happiness I had the opportunity to share a talk on The Science of Happiness. An opportunity due to relationship building and persistence. This was great as I was living my purpose and sharing my passion.
Thursday:
A colleague calling me at 12:40pm just as I was getting ready for lunch. He said he was stuck in traffic and if I could run an online taster session at 1pm, in 20mins. I said I would call him back in 2 minutes once I had check something. I called him back, said yes. Set up my computer, opened the slide deck and joined the online platform to share a session. It went well.
In the evening I ran the first of 3 Free Positive Grief sessions in the lead up to June’s Growing Around Grief : 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course.
Here are some of the comments in feedback:
“Thank you for the informative session. Hoping to use your methods to grow around the grief to support me”
“That was a really good reminder of all aspects of grief brought together. Love that you have brought all aspects in a positive way”
“Loved being part of this session.”
Why and How
I was able to do all this due to putting time and effort into learning content, developing skills, building relationships, handling set backs and having a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do . I have developed inner confidence in that I have deep trust in myself that I can handle whatever unfolds.
The beauty of this book club there is not set number of pages to read till the next session. You read what you can, apply what you want and when we meet share accordingly. This takes away the pressure of having to have reached a certain point or to keep up with everyone else. The sharing by all gives deeper and different perspective on ideas, inspires and motivates. A great opportunity to consistently focus on Learning and Growth, an aspect that is key for our happiness and health.
Details here of the next set of dates, if you would like to attend a session to see how it works get in touch:
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels