Core needs: wellbeing holidays bounce back to tackle ?pandemic posture?

Among our small group are an exhausted NHS worker, a university lecturer going through a stressful divorce, a retired teacher with a Covid-challenged transatlantic relationship, and a gas engineer on an admirable journey of self-discovery.

Weeks before the pandemic struck, the UK travel association Abta said one in three people were planning to incorporate wellness activities, such as yoga, meditation or spa treatments into their holiday. The pandemic has interrupted the pace of growth, but there are signs that the retreat market is rebounding as restrictions ease.

At the luxury end, 21st-century wellness breaks can be eye-wateringly expensive, restricting access to people in the more affluent countries of the developed world. But the range is enormous, with some spiritual and meditation centres offering retreats for free or a small daily donation.

In 50 hours spent at Fair Oak Farm, we managed nine sessions of yoga, pilates and mat-based toning with longish breaks for walking among the resident peacocks and alpacas, reading or gazing out over fields bathed in glorious autumn sunshine.

Disengagement from the pressures of everyday life is not always easy. But stepping back - whether for a 45-minute yoga session, 10 minutes of meditation or contemplation aided by an app, or several days of retreat - is a chance to reset- something that most of us would benefit from.

Accommodation was provided by Fair Oak Farm. The next retreat is 3-5 December, and costs from £565pp inclusive of accommodation, meals and sessions. Additional dates for 2022 are available