Ahead of the Live Well: Reset Me retreat at the Shandon Hotel this March, co-ordinator Christina Murray-McEleney tells us how self-care is the key to coping in this stressful world:

When was the last time you had an hour to yourself? And you used that time to focus on you?

We live in a hectic digital age when everyone is rushing around or hunched over their phones (usually doing both). Self-care is a major buzzword, but the real practice is something that we can all use to calm down and live well.

Donegal woman Christina Murray-McEleney is leading a new retreat on 3rd-4th March to guide people on how to switch-off, relax, rest, re-nourish and reconnect with themselves.

Set in the stunning Shandon Hotel, the break will equip people with the tools to change how they feel, inside and out.

Christina Murray-McEleney

 

Christina Murray-McEleney is a mum of five, a grand mother of one, she works full time, and manages a tourism business with her husband and family. She comes from a well-accomplished background in academia and training in areas of health, alcohol, drugs and other addictions.

On top of that, she is studying a Post Graduate course in Health Promotion Workplace Wellness at NUI Galway.

Wellness, she says, is definitely here to stay.

“Wellness is all new, but it’s nothing the human being doesn’t already know. It’s about making the choice and taking control of our lives,” Christina told Donegal Woman.

“I feel there is a huge need for wellness now. People can be afraid of meditation, but mindfulness is just about concentrating on what you are doing and being in the moment.”

Christina will be teaching an array of self care activities with easy take-away exercises during the blissful Shandon retreat. The relaxed programme contains talks, guided relaxation and self-exploration exercises. Nourishing meals, beach walks and a thermal spa visit are all included for the ultimate relaxing night away.

Christina explained that the retreat will be a ‘gentle’ introduction to wellness and self-care, with guests leaving relaxed and refreshed with realistic skills to help them continue to change.

“Having been involved in the field of addictions for 11 years and the training and education of a wide range of professionals that deal with addictions, I understand that underpinning all of that, we as human beings are constantly trying to manage our lives, our physical health our mental health and our well-being,” she said.

“Self–Care, is a fundamental component to living well. We are all very unique and complex human beings and all of our experiences make us what we are, we have different needs and wants. We run through life with a bag full of priorities at break neck speed with one hand on the steering wheel and sometimes a mind in ten different places; we need we need to slow down, take stock and reset”.

Christina is keen to point out that self-care is not selfish time. Neither are they indulgent treats.

Examples of self-care we can all try are spending an hour reading, having a bath, walking, listening to music, or spending time with people who make us feel good.

“Our self worth erodes if we don’t treat ourselves well,” Christina said.

“Especially as women, a lot of the time women give a lot of themselves and don’t make themselves a priority.

“Your general wellbeing is based on physical, spiritual and mental health. They are all interlinked and when we neglect one of them we feel unbalanced.”

Christina is looking forward to helping others put their health and wellness at the top of their list of priorities in a practical and manageable way. She says the Live Well : Reset Me self-care retreat is a small break in routine providing just a little space to renew and refresh.

The Shandon Resort, overlooking Sheephaven Bay, has become well-known as a place to really switch off. You can even lock your phone away for the duration of the stay!

The view, the beach at the doorstep, the spa and food will all add to the ultimate timeout experience during this programme.

Doesn’t that sound like a dream?

Places are still available on Live Well : Reset Me

The entire retreat costs €199 pps, single room supplement of €30.

To book call or email the hotel 074-9136137 info@shandonhotelspa.com
For more information visit Live Well – Reset Me on Facebook or message the page.
Full payment required at the time of booking. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.