Definitions of heartsease. noun.

''the absence of mental stress or anxiety. synonyms: peace, peace of mind, peacefulness, repose, serenity. quietness, quietude, tranquility, tranquillity.''

As a counsellor and psychotherapist, I spend lots of time talking to and working with clients who struggle to make time for themselves in admist all their other commitments. We all get this feeling from time to time - juggling responsibilities of work; our career aspirations and goals, finances, childcare or family commitments, the envitable life-admin and also somehow managing to maintain a social life and a sense of well-being!

It's something I also find tricky to add in to my own life occasionally - it's so easy to get caught up in the grind and hustle of day-to-day stuff. All of this is a straight up road to stress, overwhelm, and physical and emotional burnout, left unchecked. I've been there. I've felt this. And because of the emotional demands of the work I do, I take self-care super seriously. I make time for the things I enjoy and love and regularly schedule breaks into my diary.

I've been to a few different retreats over the last few years and after some conversations with friends and trusted colleagues, I realised, I'd never been to a retreat which totally hit the mark in just the right way.

I really wanted a retreat that had all the things that felt meaningful to me: proper coffee (not at the expense of herbal teas), the opportunity to move my body, beautiful surroundings, time for meditation, breathwork, therapeutic writing and unstructured time to myself.

And this is how Heartsease Well-being retreats came into being.

This is a full day well-being retreat for people who are serious about their own self-care; for those who get that their needs are sacred, special and deserve to be honoured.

When?

Saturday 26th April 2025. Please arrive at 9.45am for a 10am start. We will finish at 5pm.

Where?

Heartsease will be held at the Dartmoor Reach Alpaca Farm in Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot. The best way to locate the yoga studio is to follow Google Maps - and then signs on approach. More details will be provided upon booking.

How much?

The investment for the day is £100. We will provide refreshments during the day (teas, coffee, herbal teas, snacks and cake!) but you will need to bring your own lunch. There is an exclusive goody bag provided for all attendees as part of the day.

Why?

• If you are approaching a place of burn out, if you are feeling frazzled, irrated and inflamed?
• If you are in need of time for yourself, to connect to your mind and body?
• If you value your time and space, but need help implementing your own self-care strategies?

Heartsease is for you.

What to expect?

During the day we will spend time in movement, with Polly, who runs her practice at The Mulberry Rooms.

We will also spend time practising meditation, breathwork and therapeutic writing (all materials provided).

There will be plenty of refreshment breaks and a lunch break (of course!), which will also include some unstructured time for you to enjoy the location - and meet the Alpacas!

We will be finishing the day with a restful and calming sound bath.

Heartsease Well-being retreat is lovingly designed to create a relaxing experience, lower cortisol levels and leave you feeling deliciously chilled before you head home, with your goody-bag. You'll have the opportunity to carve out time in your life for yourself, relax and learn some basic meditation and breathwork that you can use in your day-to-day life whenever you need them.