An Adult-Only Break Away In The New Forest
Once upon a time a rest was seen as a luxury; time for you, utterly indulgent and getting away as a couple, an extravagance. But, the truth is, the pace of life has greatly intensified and boundaries between work and leisure have blurred.
Over the past decade self-care has been reframed, and thankfully so, because it has never been so important. Especially time away with the one you love and share a life with, because all too quickly you can become passing ships and allow the seriousness of life to take over.
Getting away, changing the scenery to somewhere like the New Forest National Park invites you to let go of some of the weightiness of adult life, even for just a moment, so you can reconnect, renew and reset to your natural rhythm.
Rest and relaxation
Often used interchangeably, rest and relaxation are not the same. Relaxation is an active and conscious pursuit such as reading, listening to music or watching a movie. This can become harder when you’ve got school runs to do, dogs to walk and family members to care for. Then there’s rest; this is repair and restoration; it’s vital for our mental and physical health, it’s the action of slowing activity or even pausing it completely and getting good sleep. And once again, it’s a difficult thing to prioritise when you’ve got a busy life.
You can do both here on an adult break away at our Hampshire hotel. Choose to make time to relax together; visit SenSpa, book a treatment, enjoy relaxing walks through the New Forest amongst the ponies and enjoy date night dinners for two in one of our three hotel restaurants. And you can also choose to do nothing and rest mind and body; to sleep early, lie-in late; to nourish the body with great food and simply stop and allow your central nervous system to recalibrate and repair.
It’s too easy in life to simply keep going until you burn out; we’re simply suggesting that you stop now and proactively avoid reaching that point.
Productivity improves with rest
We’re not just talking about work; rest and repair can help you be more productive in all areas of life, which in turn is good for your interests, your sports, and for your family.
Self-care, and intentional restoration of the central nervous system is key to allowing the body to shift from a permanent state of ‘fight or flight’ to ‘rest and digest’. Lowering stress and reducing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body.
This in turn helps to improve cognition; aiding motivation, focus and memory, and even supporting creativity and energy.
Adult life is full of decision-making; a break where you can reduce decision-fatigue, gain emotional and mental rest allows clearer thinking and improved cognitive function.
Renew connection
Adult breaks aren’t simply about being alone, they’re about resting and relaxing together, not escaping life but knowing that letting go of the everyday stresses and reconnecting will only serve you later.
It’s about intentionally making time for your partner and giving them your uninterrupted attention, your full focus without the kids calling or your phone buzzing.
Prioritise your relationship and make this adult-only break away in the New Forest a commitment to the one you love; allow the time to help you communicate, share, support each other.
Strolling NOT scrolling
Part of your adult-only break away could be a sensory rest and reset; if you’re sick of the beep of your phone distracting you, the buzz of emails drawing you away from life’s fun moments and work stresses infiltrating your time-off, it may be time for a digital detox.
A relaxing Digital Detox retreat in the New Forest literally invites you to shut your phone away in a box, move away from distraction and toward a healthier relationship with your tech, and your partner.
Spend days strolling not scrolling; the New Forest is abundant in wildlife, with miles of open heathland, ancient woodland and trails to explore. Put your phones on silent or leave them in your room and reconnect with nature.
An adult-only break is the chance to let your hair down; enjoy that cocktail, walk for miles through the picturesque New Forest National Park, cycle to scenic local villages or swim in the sea.
Reset your natural rhythms
Reconnect with nature and restore your natural balance; spending time outside in natural light, especially first thing, can do wonders for your circadian rhythm which late nights and busy days can disrupt.
Getting up and outside within the first hour of waking, even for just 10 minutes, can help to anchor your internal clock, regulating the body’s natural sleep hormone melatonin; the natural light, supressing it in the morning, and then by avoiding bright, artificial light approximately 2 – 3 hours before bed, levels of melatonin begin the rise, helping to induce sleep.
A stay in one of our Garden Rooms allows you to step outside onto your own private terrace or balcony; get cosy in your robe and sit and sip a morning coffee listening to the birdsong. Or get up and out into the New Forest for a short morning walk before breakfast.
An adult-only break in the New Forest isn’t about leaving the kids behind or escaping the reality of life, it’s about giving yourselves an opportunity to reset, together.
A promise to your mind and body that you will care for them, support them and give them a chance to rest and repair which in turn will allow you to handle the realities of life, take on the stresses that cannot be avoided and have renewed energy for your children.
An adult break serves to reconnect you with your loved one, with nature, and with your adventurous self; boost confidence, ease tension and invite fun back into adult life which too often can lose the fun.
It’s time to make time for you.
