With a bit of preparation, you can easily design your own DIY retreat. You don’t need to go anywhere if you want to recreate self-care practices from around the world. 

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Wellness travel is on the rise. This is hardly a big surprise when our lives seem to get increasingly hectic.

Now more than ever, people crave the peace and solitude of a far-flung retreat or dream wistfully of yoga on the beach during a commute to work – or at least, I do. 

It’s normal to want to take a step back, recharge and reevaluate our lives. But, what if we can’t spend a week on a meditation retreat either for financial reasons or lack of time?

Self-care is all about doing things that make you feel good.

The best bit?

These practices are eco-friendly, easy to do and mostly free (there are some paid but I’ve included a variety). Check out these tips for setting up a travel-inspired DIY retreat. 

1. Decide on your theme for the day

Person doing yoga in the mountains. A yoga retreat.
We can’t always be there in person but we can in spirit on a DIY retreat

The first step when designing your own DIY at-home retreat is to think about what kind of retreat you want to have and what you hope to get out of it. 

Start with writing down your goals. Do you want to feel relaxed? Rejuvenated? Empowered? Nothing is too big or too small and it will help you stay mindful as you plan out your day. 

Once you have your intentions aligned, keep them somewhere handy (preferably in your line of sight) so you can keep referring back to them. 

2. Set the scene for your retreat

Plants are a great way to bring the outdoors inside.
Make your space a haven, where you choose it to be

Retreats are often held in scenic and peaceful places. If you’re at home, think creatively about ways you can add something a little special to your surroundings.

I like to awaken the senses with my decorations. This might be:

  • Lighting a scented candle or incense sticks. I love this handmade lavender candle from India. It smells absolutely delicious and it’s plastic-free!
  • Playing pleasant sounds or calming music that helps you relax and unwind. Theta sounds are a good choice. This video on YouTube is pretty good and it will keep you going for about eight hours so you don’t have to worry about changing it. Otherwise, this zen meditation music is nice and peaceful. One of my favourites is this video of relaxing nature sounds. 
  • Creating a visually calming space by adding plants, soft coloured throws or yogic symbols. It doesn’t have to be too extravagant, just enough to bring you joy. As you do this, try to keep the space uncluttered and with enough room to move about in. You could even go completely the other way and be as minimalist as possible. 
  • Adding something nice to touch. This might be a rug that feels good on bare feet – a wool rug is a good shout or a jade facial roller.
  • Including some delicious and healthy snacks to graze on throughout your retreat. If you’re not fasting that is. Check out the meal ideas below to get some inspiration. 

3. Plan your meals for the day

Eating whole foods, dishes around the world and clean eating is a good accompaniment to your DIY retreat.
Prep your meals in advance to make it easier for yourself

No wellness retreat is complete without mindful eating.

You’ll want to plan and prep as much of your meals beforehand so you’re not scrambling to find something to eat and you can stick to your routine. 

It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of quick-fix meals when you’re caught on the spot. Below are some ideas to get you started: 

Healthy recipes from around the world

As this retreat guide has a travel theme, you could get a little creative in the kitchen by incorporating some healthy dishes from across the globe.

This will not only inspire you to try something different but it will also help you connect with cultures in a fun new way. 

This guide has 100 healthy recipes to choose from so you’re bound to find something that takes your fancy. 

Clean eating

Eating healthy whole foods is always a good place to start. I found this list of whole food recipes useful for recipe inspiration and delicious, all-natural dishes. 

Eat the rainbow 

Our bodies benefit from a balanced and varied diet.

Eating the rainbow, so to speak, is a fun way to incorporate a wide mix of fruit and vegetables for optimum health. This guide tells you how to do it. 

Water

Why not make your water that extra bit more refreshing by adding lemon or cucumber slices or a sprig of mint to your jug? 

Tea 

Tea can be just the right sort of beverage to get you in a relaxing mood. Go for herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile or ginger. 

A favourite of mine is this ethically sourced organic ginger and turmeric infusion.

It’s a green tea which is packed with antioxidants that boost digestion and your immune system.

The teabags are also plastic-free (you’d be surprised how many teabags contain microplastics!).

4. Plan an itinerary for your DIY retreat

Woman meditation outside by water. The perfect self-care activity.
Fill your schedule with self-care activities.

The next stage in your at-home wellness retreat plan is to think about what you want to do.

Think back to your theme. Is it mindfulness you want? Filling your day with yoga and meditation would be ideal. 

If it’s motivation and feeling good you’re after then maybe something more high-energy like pilates or dance would be better suited. 

Now think about the duration. Are you doing it for half a day or a full week? This should help give you some indication of how long you want to spend on each activity.

The key is not to feel pressured. Just go with the flow. 

Here are a few mini-retreat ideas to consider: 

Meditation 

Believed to have originated from India, meditation is an ancient practice that has been adopted in cultures worldwide.

It’s a powerful form of mental training that alleviates stress, reduces pain and cardiovascular issues and improves sleeping patterns and productivity. 

Journaling 

Journaling is an excellent way to set down your goals and intentions. I like to start the day by writing down:

1. Three things I’m grateful for

2. My main goal for the day

3. My self-care for the day

4. Any other thoughts that come to mind

Art, doodling and colouring in are also fun and creative activities. Get yourself a beautiful and eco-friendly notebook to jot your ideas.

Exercise 

You can do strengthening exercises like pilates, barre or Tai Chi (a martial art originating from ancient China).

Or you could get a sweat on by doing cardio and dance. I find YouTube excellent for this. Remember to include ‘no equipment’ in your search if you don’t have an at-home gym (I don’t). 

Yoga

Yoga is also believed to have originated in ancient India. Studies have shown that it improves strength, balance and flexibility.

It relieves pain and stress, benefits heart health and helps you sleep better. You could join a live Zoom class, but if you want to go at your own pace I like Yoga With Adriene. 

Reading 

By this, I mean read mindfully. Read something that makes you happy or a self-improvement book.

Right now, I’m enjoying The Source: Open Your Mind Change Your Life by Dr Tara Swart. This excellent book teaches you how to harness the power of your mind to get what you want.

It’s a great choice if you want to feel more empowered!

For more reading inspiration, discover some of my favourite responsible travel books.

Forest bathing 

First coined in Japan in the 1980s, forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, as it’s officially called, is all about soaking up the atmosphere of the trees.

You’re encouraged to put down all electronic devices and simply wander among the trees, allowing your senses to guide you.

It has an amazing amount of health benefits. Read my complete guide to forest bathing to find out how to do it.

By the way, you don’t need to go to a forest. A green space or even plants will do!

Hygge

The World Happiness Report identified Denmark as one of the happiest countries in the world. One such secret to their happiness can be attributed to hygge (pronounced ‘hyoo-guh).

Hygge is a quality of cosiness and comfort which inspires feelings of contentment or well-being.

A few ways to bring hygge into your life would be to get under some blankets, make a hearty soup, enjoy a cup of tea and surround yourself with friends and family.

Digital detox 

France has a ‘right to disconnect’ law which allows employees to avoid work emails outside of working hours.

You can switch off at the end of the day with a mutual understanding that emails won’t get answered until the next morning.

Amazing, right?

This came about in 2017 after concerns over burnout were raised.

In the spirit of the ‘right to disconnect’ law, switch off all electronic devices for the duration of your retreat. This is sometimes harder than you might think. 

Hot bath 

Thermal baths are renowned for their healing properties from everything from skin ailments to stress.

You can find thermal baths all over the world with perhaps Iceland’s Blue Lagoon being among the most famous.

If you can’t get to Iceland don’t fret. Run yourself a bath at home and light a scented candle.

You could even add magnesium salts to the bath and slip into blissful relaxation. 

Rosewater facial

Treat yourself to a rosewater facial. This wellness activity is Turkish in origin and it’s used to tackle irritated skin and acne.

Rosewater is also packed with vitamins and antioxidants which do your skin a world of good and boost your mood too.

It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Try this organic calming rose water tonic. 

5. Get a little inspiration

See the northern lights from home on your travel-inspiredDIY retreat.
Going on a virtual Northern Lights tour counts as a DIY wellness treat in my book

If you would prefer more guidance and structure, here are a few workshops and at-home retreats from around the world for you to enjoy: 

Happiness meditation with chocolate 

Streaming live from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, happiness meditation with chocolate combines two ways to love yourself – meditation and chocolate.

What could be better than an hour of pure chocolate indulgence? 

This virtual class is all about mindfulness and connectivity. All meditation levels are welcome, even complete novices with no prior experience.

You’ll be guided through different meditations, including gratitude, self-love and compassion, that you can practice in your daily life. 

…and also, did I mention chocolate?!

Live Virtual Wildlife Safari in South Africa

Connecting with wildlife is a great way to decompress, particularly if you’re an animal lover like me!

And with this virtual safari, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home – or fly to Africa.

Streaming live all the way from Stellenbosch Farms in South Africa, this virtual safari led by Deidre introduces you to the free-roaming wildlife in the reserve.

Animals you might see include giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, springbuck, waterbuck, bontebok and a variety of birds.

Deidre shares her knowledge of these animals while maintaining a respectful distance from them so as not to disturb their natural behaviours.

Not that this experience is usually available for groups but she does offer per-person rates although they do book up fast.

Astrology workshop and birth chart reading

Get to know your birth chart and understand yourself a little better as told by the stars in a virtual astrology workshop.

The session is led by Andrada from Portugal (it’s in English) and she will work with you to discover your numerological profile, human design, and psychological, traditional and Vedic astrology.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll receive an email with a PDF of your natal chart.

Again, it’s ideal for groups but she does do per-person rates too.

Want to virtually explore more awe-inspiring natural sights around the world? Here are 20 travel experiences to enjoy. 

Ayurveda with Ananda in the Himalayas

Ranked number one in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Ananda is a celebrated destination spa in the Himalayas.

Luckily, you don’t have to travel to India for its wellness experiences. The spa has gone online for people all over the world who want to sample its range of expert personalised services and packages. 

One service is the Ayurvedic Consultation which dives deep into your physical, emotional and mental health to assess your body type and current imbalances.

An assessment is done of all your major health systems, including digestion, sleep and nervous system.

You’re then given a personalised sequence of guidelines and a diet plan to help you find a balance.

Final thoughts on creating your DIY retreat

Four stones stacked on top of each other.
I hope you enjoy your travel-inspired DIY retreat!

I hope these suggestions inspire you to create your own at-home travel-inspired wellness retreat.

Adding a touch of self-care to your life doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be as simple as blocking off an afternoon to uplift, re-energise and set some goals. 

Let me know if you’re planning a DIY retreat at home. What does your itinerary look like?

Useful Resources to help you have a DIY retreat at home


Looking for more travel-inspired experiences to do at home? Check out these posts!

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