Retreats for CHANGE

Could a menopause retreat be a reset? Jo Fernandez says yes

Every woman's experience of menopause is different. For me, I particularly needed support with my change-related bloating, which I found difficult. So I decided to give myself a present, push the boat out and join a dedicated menopause health retreat for a whole week in a comfortable house in the Dorset countryside. I spent an enlightening time far from home - and my usual routine - eating healthily, meeting new women in a similar life stage and even practising a little weight training, for good measure.

Wellness retreats based around the menopause have become immensely popular in recent years, and it's understandable. From the moment I entered the luxurious, cosy space at The Body Retreat, I felt like I was on a total reset.

Nutrition is a major part of the experience, with each meal planned by in-house CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) practitioner, cold-water coach and cookbook writer Juls. Juls introduced our group to 'conscious eating' - chewing slowly, putting cutlery down between mouthfuls and leaving something on your plate. Each day's menu would be chalked on a blackboard, so we could look forward to colourful dishes, including punchy Mexican bean soup topped with jalapeños.

Then, there were the workouts. Julie, a former semi-professional footballer and PT, guided us through fun morning sessions and scenic rambles with her two adorable dogs, Bella and Bailey. The daily routine began with exercise before breakfast, followed by a walk, stretching, lunch and activities, such as yoga, Zumba or Pilates. We also enjoyed workshops on topics like sleep, menopause symptoms, the pelvic floor and nutrition.