ZEST LIFE
Pause, reconnect, and return steadier — solo retreats that restore clarity and calm
A growing number of women are choosing to travel alone, and wellbeing retreats have become a natural setting for this shift. The appeal is not driven by trend or novelty but by the need for time that feels uninterrupted and calm. Rather than seeking complex programmes, many women are drawn to retreats that return to the fundamentals: thoughtful movement, time in nature, nourishing food and a pace that allows them to slow down.
Travelling alone offers a clarity that is difficult to find in everyday life. Without the usual responsibilities or expectations, women are finding space to reconnect with their own rhythm. A retreat strengthens this by providing structure without pressure. The day has shape, but not demands; guidance, but not intensity.
Time outdoors now plays a central role in this type of experience. Walking and hiking offer steady, grounding movement that helps clear the mind. Cold-water immersion, whether through a brief wild swim or a quiet dip in a mountain lake, often brings a moment of focus and presence that feels unexpectedly steadying. Even gentle swimming in calmer waters supports both rest and physical ease. Combined with yoga and stillness, these elements create a balance that feels accessible and lasting.
ZestLife, est. 2010, has long championed this pared-back, intuitive approach. Their retreats are shaped around calm environments, warm studios, outdoor activity and a clear rhythm that helps solo travellers settle quickly. A morning yoga session might lead into a coastal walk; a cold-water dip might be followed by time by the fire. Nothing is staged, and nothing is excessive. The flow between movement and quiet moments is what many guests describe as the source of the retreat’s lasting effect.
"Women arriving alone often remark on how naturally the experience unfolds. Retreats create a type of community that allows for both connection and privacy." says Laura, Zest Life founder Retreats create a type of community that allows for both connection and privacy. Guests can choose conversation or solitude without explanation, joining group activities when it feels right or taking time on their own when needed. It is support without intrusion.
The benefits tend to continue long after the retreat ends. Many women leave with small habits that slot easily into daily life: a short walk at lunchtime, stretching in the morning before coffee, a swim at the weekend or a quiet pause before the day begins. These simple routines help maintain the steadiness found on retreat and build resilience over time.
"I’ve now been on two Zest Life retreats. The first time, I had no idea what to expect and I left feeling like something in me had genuinely shifted. The second time, I went in with high expectations, and it still managed to exceed them. They know how to run a retreat at a truly world-class level. From the moment you arrive, you feel safe, relaxed and completely supported." 2 x Zest Life customer
For those balancing demanding roles, caring responsibilities or simply the ongoing pace of modern life, travelling alone on retreat offers something increasingly valuable: space to think clearly and to restore equilibrium. The environments are unique in their simplicity, the care is subtle, and the impact often shows in how grounded guests feel afterwards. The rise of the solo retreat reflects a wider reassessment of how women choose to travel and where they invest their time and energy. In a world that rarely slows down, these retreats offer space and steadiness that remain long after the return home.
Discover more at: zestlife.co.uk
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
