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Approximately 78 million Americans can be characterized as members of the “Baby Boomer” generation – meaning over 25percent of the current population have officially reached middle age or beyond. With a Boomer turning 50 every 7.5 seconds, a large number of individuals with freshly empty nests, a work history of 30 years or more under their belts, and often, an impending feeling of anxiety, are asking themselves, “What am I going to do with the rest of my life?”
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According to Deborah Coryell, Health and Wellness Director for King Ventures, owner of California hot mineral spring retreat resorts Sycamore Mineral Spring Resort in San Luis Obispo, CA, the answer to this age-old question lies within the question itself.
“Middle age signifies a crucial point in our existence when we must examine our current lifestyles and come to appreciate that the stressful and frenetic pace of daily life no longer serves us and we are being invited into a more reflective process,” said Coryell. “Instead of focusing on being connected to the outside world at all times – through cell phones, emails and pagers – individuals can learn to disconnect from our society’s addiction to busyness and begin to embrace relaxation, introspection and truly, the rest of our lives.”
Becoming comfortable with a more intentional lifestyle can be achieved by regularly taking time for much-needed “rest stops” – places to pull off and take a break, without getting too far off the path of the journey through life, says Coryell. In her work with Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Two Bunch Palms, Coryell has aimed to help create retreat programs and environments that offer guests an opportunity to take a pause from everything and find comfort in doing nothing, a concept best described by the Italian phrase, “dolce far niente,” which translates to “sweet to do nothing” – a pleasant idling that can be found in simply enjoying a cup of tea, napping in the shade of a tree or nurturing oneself with the mystery and magic of nature.
In honor of “dolce far niente,” both Sycamore Mineral Springs and Two Bunch Palms have developed guest offerings that are reflective of this important notion.
Instead of gyms, these properties feature Healing Arts Centers, where activities such as yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and meditation are available, and a typical guest itinerary is far from jam-packed, often including healing spa treatments, frequent soaks in the mineral-rich, natural hot springs and perhaps a leisurely exploration of the lush grounds.
“As we enter the second half of our lives, our bodies have endured years of stress and begin to require that we rejuvenate on a more frequent basis,” said Coryell. “We can either proactively take the appropriate measures to learn to decompress or allow our bodies to force us to slow down through injury or other health-related complications.”
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Guests can receive further guidance on how to best prepare for the rest of their lives by utilizing the knowledge of trained professionals at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort. The property recently introduced an Integrative Healing and Counseling Program that allows retreat guests to participate in a diagnostic interview with an on-staff holistic health therapist who is licensed or certified to make recommendations in regard to therapies, classes and even meals that would be most beneficial to the guest for the remainder of the retreat and beyond.
“The retreat experience is really about taking the time to periodically “empty the vessel,” so to speak, much like one would regularly change out their purse, update their computer software or clean out their closet,” said Coryell. “It allows for for self reflection and a purging of outdated and unhealthy energies one may have been carrying around unnecessarily. The result is a sense of balance, clarity and a newfound comfort in allowing our bodies and minds to relax and rest. This creates space for finding answers to life’s bigger questions.”
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, an integrative retreat centre, rests atop hot mineral springs and spans more than 100 acres of forest, hills and meadows in San Luis Obispo. It offers guests an exceptional opportunity to restore the spirit, nourish the mind and heal the body. The resort is located at 1215 Avila Beach Drive in San Luis Obispo, on the road to Avila Beach.
Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa, a 256-acre natural hot mineral springs desert oasis, features suites and villas, a California-cuisine restaurant and a world-renowned spa with more than 45 treatments. A natural lithium mineral hot spring grotto flows through the heart of the property, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and preserved wilderness areas. The resort also offers private hot mineral tubs, a pool, saunas and private tennis courts.
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