Finding Renewal in a Hillside Sanctuary: My Stay at The Retreat Costa Rica

There was a time when I knew what true well-being felt like. I moved with intention, nourished my body in ways that fueled me, and made space to pause. But somewhere along the way—between the back-to-back meetings, the constant need to perform, and the belief that slowing down meant falling behind—I lost touch with it.

By the time I took my sabbatical, I wasn’t just tired. I was depleted. I needed more than just time off—I needed a space where I could slow down long enough to see what my mind and body had been trying to tell me.

That’s how I found myself at The Retreat Costa Rica—a wellness sanctuary perched on a remote hillside, surrounded by nature. It wasn’t about exploring dense forests or trekking through vast landscapes; instead, it was about being immersed in an environment designed for stillness, clarity, and renewal.

Why Being Surrounded by Nature Supports Renewal

Burnout doesn’t just live in the mind—it’s stored in the body. Many of us don’t realize how much stress we’re carrying until we step away from the noise. Research confirms what we often forget: being in nature—even without actively exploring it—has profound effects on our well-being.

✔ Lowers Cortisol Levels – Even 20 minutes in a natural setting can reduce stress hormones (Frontiers in Psychology).
✔ Boosts Immune Function – Fresh air and natural surroundings enhance immune response and reduce inflammation (Environmental Health & Preventative Medicine).
✔ Restores Mental Clarity – Simply gazing at greenery can improve focus, creativity, and problem-solving skills (Journal of Environmental Psychology).

I was surrounded by rolling green hills, expansive sky, and a quiet stillness that I didn’t realize I had been craving. That sense of space—of being removed from the rush of daily life—was exactly what I needed.

The Retreat Costa Rica: A Space to Reset

Nestled on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, The Retreat Costa Rica isn’t about adventure—it’s about calm. Every element of the experience was intentionally designed to promote relaxation, from the anti-inflammatory meals to the daily healing rituals and movement practices.

Here’s what made my time there truly transformative:

1. Nourishment That Fuels Renewal

I’ve always known that food is more than just fuel—it’s a source of energy, vitality, and well-being. But knowing something and living it are two different things.

Over time, the demands of my career overshadowed that knowing. Rushed mornings led to skipped breakfasts, lunch became whatever I could eat between meetings, and dinner? Usually a quick air-fried meal in front of my laptop. Eating was functional—something to get through, not something to experience.

At The Retreat, I reconnected with what I had let slip away. Every meal was organic, locally sourced, and crafted with healing in mind. Instead of leaving me sluggish, food became a source of renewal. I slowed down. I savored. I remembered what it felt like to truly nourish myself—not just eat to keep going, but to eat in a way that restored me.

2. The Power of Simple Daily Rituals

There was a time when mindfulness was woven into my daily life—when I paused to breathe, moved with intention, and created space for stillness. But as my career accelerated, those practices faded, replaced by early meetings, never-ending to-do lists, and the belief that productivity mattered more than presence.

One of the biggest gifts of my time at The Retreat was remembering how small, intentional rituals can shift everything. Every morning began with movement, meditation, and intention setting—nothing elaborate, just simple moments of presence.

✔ Morning yoga with ocean views helped me feel grounded and reconnected to my body.
✔ Sound healing sessions encouraged deep relaxation and emotional release.
✔ Guided meditation & breathwork quieted the mental noise I had learned to live with.

These weren’t things I had to add to my day. They were things that helped me experience my day differently. I left with a renewed understanding that true restoration isn’t about one big reset—it’s about the small, consistent habits that help us feel whole.

3. Unplugging & Learning to Be Present

I used to believe that slowing down meant I wasn’t doing enough. That stillness was indulgent. That if I stopped moving, everything would fall apart. But the truth is, I had been moving so fast for so long that I didn’t realize how exhausted I had become.

At The Retreat, I was given something I didn’t even know I needed—silence. No back-to-back meetings, no notifications, no endless to-do lists. Just space. At first, the stillness felt unfamiliar, even uncomfortable. But once I allowed myself to settle into it, I realized:

💡 Stillness isn’t unproductive—it’s clarifying.

I journaled without rushing. I walked the simple hiking path without distraction. I let myself breathe—deeply, fully, intentionally. And in that space, I started to remember who I was before I became someone who measured my worth by how much I got done.

What This Experience Taught Me About Renewal

Stepping away from my daily routine and immersing myself in a sanctuary surrounded by nature gave me clarity I had been chasing for years. I realized that renewal isn’t something we achieve—it’s something we create space for.

Key takeaways from my stay at The Retreat Costa Rica:
✨ Renewal starts with slowing down. You can’t heal what you don’t acknowledge.
✨ Being in nature matters—even if you’re not exploring it. The environment we immerse ourselves in affects our well-being.
✨ Small rituals create lasting change. You don’t need an elaborate routine—just consistency.
✨ You don’t have to wait for burnout. The best time to prioritize well-being is now.

This retreat was a pivotal moment in my sabbatical, but you don’t need to fly to Costa Rica to experience renewal. You can bring elements of intentional rest into your daily life—starting today.

Final Reflection

If you’re feeling depleted, like you’re running on autopilot, or like you’ve lost connection with yourself, taking time away in a peaceful environment—whether it’s a weeklong retreat or a simple weekend unplug—can shift everything.

The Retreat Costa Rica reminded me of the power of rest, reflection, and renewal—the core of what inspired me to create Solaris Global Pathways.

✨ If you’re considering a retreat of your own, The Retreat Costa Rica is a truly special place. But wherever you go, remember: the most important journey is the one back to yourself.

Reclaim Your Well-Being & Purpose: The Transformative Power of a Sabbatical

We move so fast that we rarely stop to ask: How am I really doing? Slowing down isn’t the solution—it’s the first step. Stillness reveals what we’ve been pushing through, ignoring, or numbing. Only then can we begin the renewal process—whether that means deep rest, reconnecting with ourselves, or making intentional shifts in how we live and work.

For years, I thought I could outwork exhaustion. I had been raised to believe that if you were on time, you were late. If you weren’t pushing yourself to the limit, you weren’t doing enough. That mindset carried me through school, into my career, and eventually into more than a decade in the tech industry—where I was constantly juggling back-to-back deadlines, global meetings at odd hours, and the pressure to always be available. I convinced myself that a weekend getaway or an extra hour of sleep would be enough to recharge. It never was.

Then came the moment I didn’t see coming - an organizational restructuring and elimination of my role. Suddenly, I had a choice: immediately throw myself into the stress of job hunting or do something I had never done before—pause. I chose the latter. I took a sabbatical.

At the time, it felt risky. But looking back, it was one of the most life-changing decisions I’ve ever made.

Why Slowing Down Is the First Step to Renewal

Burnout doesn’t just mean feeling tired—it impacts everything from mental clarity to physical health. But the reality is, many of us don’t even realize how exhausted we are until we pause.

Research shows that chronic stress affects every system in the body. The World Health Organization has classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon, linking it to long-term physical and mental health consequences. But here’s the thing: you can’t renew what you don’t acknowledge.

Stepping away—even briefly—gives you a clearer picture of your true state:
✔ Emotional well-being – Are you feeling disconnected? Overwhelmed? Like you’re running on autopilot?
✔ Physical health – Are you constantly fatigued? Struggling with sleep? Experiencing more aches, tension, or headaches than usual?
✔ Mental clarity – Are you sharp and engaged, or foggy and unfocused?

Once you see where you truly are, you can start making the shifts that will actually renew you.

What I Got Right (and What I Got Wrong)

I’ll be honest—I didn’t do everything “right” on my sabbatical. I booked flights with no real plan, overfilled my schedule in some places, and spent too much time in my head in others. But it was still one of the most renewing experiences of my life.

During my time away, I traveled to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Joshua Tree, and more. I spent time in nature, practiced yoga, reconnected with my body, and finally allowed myself to just breathe.

But there was something else I didn’t plan for—guilt. The feeling that I should be ‘doing’ more never fully left me, even as I tried to embrace the pause.

I thought stepping away from work would feel freeing, but instead, I often felt like I wasn’t doing enough. There was a voice in my head constantly whispering:

💭 Am I wasting time?
💭 Am I falling behind?
💭 Should I be more productive?
💭 What will people think when they see a gap on my resume?

Even when I was surrounded by stunning landscapes and finally getting the deep rest I needed, I found myself feeling uneasy about not being “useful.” That’s when I realized how deeply ingrained hustle culture was in me.

I wasn’t just taking a break from work—I was unlearning years of conditioning that told me my worth was tied to my productivity.

Over time, I learned to sit with that discomfort and ask myself better questions:

🔹 What if my value isn’t tied to my output?
🔹 What if slowing down is actually the key to doing my best work?
🔹 What if I return to work with greater clarity, purpose, and energy than I’ve ever had before?

Letting go of guilt wasn’t immediate, but it was one of the most important lessons of my sabbatical.

The Science of Stepping Away

Chronic stress doesn’t just wear us down—it rewires our brains and bodies in ways that can be deeply harmful over time. Research shows that prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol is linked to:

✔ Cognitive Decline – Chronic stress weakens the prefrontal cortex, affecting memory, focus, and decision-making. A Neurology study found that individuals with higher cortisol levels performed worse on cognitive tests, linking stress to early brain aging.

✔ Increased Inflammation – Stress triggers inflammation, which contributes to heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. NIH research shows that chronic stress elevates inflammatory markers, increasing long-term health risks.

✔ Chronic Fatigue – Work-related stress leaves professionals drained. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 79% of workers report experiencing job-related stress, with fatigue being one of the most common symptoms.

A sabbatical isn’t about stepping away—it’s about giving your body and mind a chance to recover and reset. Studies show that extended breaks help regulate the nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and enhance mental clarity. Those who take sabbaticals often report greater job satisfaction, creativity, and productivity upon returning.

During my time away, I experienced firsthand how small, intentional habits made a difference. Headspace helped me incorporate mindfulness and breathwork, while The Five Minute Journal became a grounding practice to track my thoughts and perspective shifts.

A sabbatical isn’t about abandoning responsibilities—it’s about reclaiming your well-being, energy, and clarity so you can move forward with intention.

How a Sabbatical Helped Me Renew My Health and Purpose

During my sabbatical, I reconnected with the habits that once made me feel my best—habits I had abandoned in the pursuit of productivity. I prioritized sleep, nourished my body with wholesome food, and spent time in nature. My stress levels decreased significantly. Most importantly, I rediscovered what truly mattered to me beyond deadlines and deliverables.

When I finally felt ready to explore new professional opportunities, I came back not just rested but clear on my boundaries and values. I didn’t want to rush into just any job—I wanted alignment.

Why More People Should Consider an Unplugged Sabbatical

If you’re feeling depleted, running on autopilot, or disconnected from yourself, you’re not alone. Burnout has become a global epidemic, especially among high-achieving professionals. Taking a sabbatical may feel radical—but what’s truly radical is pushing yourself to the point of breakdown.

A sabbatical isn’t about abandoning your responsibilities; it’s about reclaiming your energy and making intentional choices for your future.

Closing Reflection

When my career took an unexpected plot twist, my pause became about more than just work. I had a choice: continue the cycle or take a step back and rethink how I wanted to move forward. I chose to pause. That decision—to prioritize rest, reflection, and renewal—changed my relationship with work, success, and well-being. That’s why I believe so strongly in the power of stepping away—and why I created Solaris Global Pathways.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. A sabbatical won’t magically solve everything, but it creates the space to rethink what truly matters. Your health, energy, and joy are worth the pause.

✨ The Unplugged Sabbatical Blueprint launches soon! Get step-by-step guidance to create a sabbatical that truly renews you.