By Shannon Jamail
I just wrapped up two amazing retreats in October. One at my ranch and one at my favorite beach. And y’all… my heart is full, my voice is raspy from laughter, and my soul is lit up.
One thing I hear over and over from the women who attend our stress reduction retreats is this: “I almost didn’t come. I told myself I just needed a quiet weekend.”
Let’s be honest-most of us are trained to believe that a two-day breather, a bubble bath, or a solo Target run is enough to “reset” us. But can I lovingly say… it’s not.
A weekend off is a pause. A retreat is a reset. And we all need more than a pause.
The Truth About Healing
You didn’t get stressed, anxious, or disconnected overnight-and you’re not going to heal that way either.
The nervous system needs time. Time to unclench, to breathe, to recalibrate.
At our women’s retreats, I’ve watched magic happen not on day one, not even on day two-but usually around day three or four.
That’s when the layers start to peel back.
That’s when the tears come.
That’s when someone finally sleeps through the night.
That’s when joy peeks its head out again.
Why Weekends Aren’t Enough
Weekend getaways are fun. But they’re usually jam-packed with activities, logistics, and trying to squeeze every ounce of “rest” into a tight schedule.
Your body stays in “go” mode. Your brain is still thinking about laundry, carpool, and inboxes. You’re not unwinding-you’re just relocating your stress.
But on a longer retreat-four or five days? Everything shifts.
You:
Sleep deeper
Eat intentionally
Move your body gently
Connect with women who get it
Let yourself feel again
And most importantly, you remember who you are when you’re not constantly in survival mode.
What Real Transformation Takes
Here’s what I’ve learned after hosting 100+ retreats: the real breakthroughs take time.
The first 24 hours, most women are still decompressing from travel and life.
By day two, they start to settle in.
Day three? They drop in.
Day four? They shine.
That’s why our stress reduction retreats for women aren’t quick fixes. They’re immersive experiences designed to bring you home to yourself—body, mind, and spirit.
Give Yourself Permission
If you’ve been craving something deeper than a nap and a Netflix night…
If you’ve been running on fumes for months (or years)…
If you’ve been wondering if you’re too much for needing a break or not enough to deserve one…
Let this be your permission slip:
Take more than a weekend.
Give yourself the space to breathe, heal, and reset.
You are worth that and more.
Final Thought
You don’t need a vacation. You need a retreat.
One where you’re not cooking, cleaning, caretaking, or people-pleasing.
You need a space where your only job is to rest, reconnect, and reclaim who you are.
