The first step can often be the hardest, but rest assured it will be worth it. You don’t have to embark on this adventure of inner peace alone – you can embrace nature and disconnect from the digital world with your nearest and dearest. Friends and family will reap the benefits and what’s more enjoyable than doing the things you love with the people you love?
Yorkshire offers an abundance of fresh air and outdoor activities to free your mind. The vast expanses of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors National Parks provide the perfect walking, hiking, and running trails with plenty of views to marvel at along the way. For cycling enthusiasts, the entire county is at your disposal for the perfect mindful escape. In addition to the gorgeous, rolling countryside, you can admire the natural beauty of Yorkshire from its glorious coastline. Boasting almost 100 miles of fishing villages and quaint towns by the sea, oozing with charm, you won’t be short of inspiration for a coastal getaway to bring you closer to nature. Open-water swimming is a wonderful way to wake up your senses and cleanse your spirit but for those less keen on the idea, boat trips and fishing allow you to be at one with the sea without getting wet.
For guests who wish to experience the tranquillity of a Yorkshire retreat at a slower pace, there’s a whole host of activities for you to truly engage in the present moment. Whether you’re up high in the Howardian Hills or down by the spectacular seaside, the glory of God’s Own Country is sure to inspire your artistic side. Picturesque landscapes urge you to draw, paint, and create while acres of wildlife make the perfect subject for photography amateurs and professionals alike. If that’s not convincing enough, the serenity of the Yorkshire countryside makes for the perfect meditation environment. Famed for their dark skies, the counties National Parks help to transport you far from the stresses of daily life and keep you grounded in nature.
Broughton Sanctuary is the ideal escape to rejuvenate and be at one with nature in one of its 19 unique homes, spread over a spectacular 3,000-acre estate. From an intimate couples retreat to 32-person group getaway, there’s something for everyone – including a divine, earthy bistro, contained in a peaceful walled garden. However, the ultimate experience to soothe your soul starts the moment you walk into the sanctuary’s elite wellbeing centre, Avalon. Not only can it be found amidst the verdant tranquillity of Yorkshire’s countryside, but it is equipped with therapy rooms, meditation chambers and a relaxing pool suite, encouraging you to switch off and recharge without a care in the world. A stay at Broughton Sanctuary allows you to step away from stress and enjoy the wellbeing classes and holistic treatments on offer; embrace nature and take part in forest and moon bathing; or go back to basics and forage for food and medicine for a true unplugged escape.
No matter what mindfulness means to you, a change of scenery is bound to be good for the soul. Whether you choose to spend your days exploring the great outdoors or simply taking in your surroundings and whether your nights consist of cosying up by the fire and getting lost in a good book, board games and fun for all the family, taking a step back allows you to appreciate all that life has to offer. Time away from your everyday routine to reflect and spend time alone or quality time with friends and family will enrich your life in more ways than one. Perhaps we’re biased but we think Yorkshire should be at the top of your list.