While it may seem like women are the most privileged gender, we usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to responsibilities. In the corporate world, we work harder than men but are paid less. In society, we are easily judged by appearance, marital status and sexuality, and reproductive choices.
Even in the family, we are expected to put everyone first, providing them with emotional support and physical care. Often times, this is at the expense of our own emotional and mental health. And if you are a black woman, there’s a high chance that you are the primary breadwinner of your family, bearing the bulk of the financial responsibility and fighting to beat the economic insecurity while managing the caretaking duties at home.
Many factors contribute to psychological distress and cause mental health problems in women. Not only do these factors include the overbearing pressure of the hustle and daily grind, multiple roles assumed in the family, and the prying and judgmental eye of society. They also cover violence and abuse, reproductive health problems, and physiological changes during pregnancy and postpartum.
When confronted with issues that affect mental health, we can become vulnerable. We may unconsciously replace health-promoting habits with unhealthy coping mechanisms. This may include smoking, emotional eating, addiction, isolation, and sleep deprivation. To stop this from happening, we must disconnect from stressors and put ourselves on our priority list. One of the best ways to do this is a quick solo self-care vacation.
4 Ideas for a Quick Solo Self Care Vacay
A quick solo vacation to a destination with warm beaches, friendly people, rich culture, and lots of fun and relaxing activities is the answer. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to unwind, self-reflect, and detoxify your mind and soul of built-up negative energy. Here are four safe and budget-friendly ideas for an unforgettable, impactful self-care experience:
Enjoy a full spa day
Take a day off to visit a spa around your area. Sign up for self-care treatments like Swedish massage, foot massage, acupuncture, waxing, microdermabrasion, aromatherapy, ear candling, detox in the sauna, gua sha, manicure, and pedicure. Switch off to avoid distractions and focus on being pampered by professionals.
Meditate in one of Sedona’s spiritual vortexes
Sedona, Arizona, is filled with spiritual vortexes rumored to be centers for transformational healing energy emanating from the earth’s core. Hiking, meditating, or chanting prayer mantras in any of her vortexes will help with healing, reflection, purpose, clarity, and enrichment of the body and soul. When you first encounter a vortex, you might feel subtle energy vibrations like tingling sensations and increasing warm heat flow through your body. You can spend 3 to 5 days exploring Sedona. Go hiking on Devil’s bridge. Try a walking meditation at Amitabha Stupa and Peace park. Watch a sunset. Visit the chapel of the holy cross, or take a pottery class at Sedona’s art center.
Try MycoMeditations in Jamaica
This next one may help those who are struggling with addiction, trauma, anxiety and depression. Perhaps you’re trying to revisit and heal from past negative experiences in your life. Consider a psychedelic mushroom retreat at Mycomeditations in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. If you’re open to new routes of healing, it’s guaranteed to help you regain your inner peace and happiness.
The retreat program hosts only a small group of people (usually 12 to 16 people). It runs for 7 days and is often held in vacation homes or private villas on the Caribbean coast. You will have access to licensed therapists who will administer legally approved doses of psychedelic mushrooms (aka magic mushrooms). They have proven to positively affect mental health and behavior and guided meditations for healing and growth. And you will be fed healthy, great-tasting Jamaican meals cooked by a private chef or butler.
Since the programs are hosted on the Caribbean coast, you will be able to soak in the fresh sea breeze and walk barefoot on the beach. You can even engage in fun ocean activities like snorkeling, sailing, hiking, diving, and paddleboarding.
Get a CBD massage in Santa Fe, Mexico
The Japanese Hot Springs-inspired spa, Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe, Mexico, offers great food, hot/cold therapy, saunas, steam rooms, and meditation rooms. You can enjoy a CBD massage followed by a soak in a mineral natural hot tub under the stars.
Aside from the fact that the spa is situated between sleeping mountains where one can go hiking, they have a quiet no-phone policy. This allows guests to focus on self-care. The Sunrise Springs Spa is another wellness resort located in Santa Fe, Mexico.
Once you’ve decided on a travel destination, perform a search for comfortable and affordable hotels or resorts to stay in. Also, spend time finding out how much it will cost to move from there to different activities. You may not be able to get the exact figures, but rough estimates will give you an idea of how much to budget for the trip.
To get the most out of your self-care vacation, ensure that you get up to 8 hours of sleep each day. This way you can return home to your normal routine feeling refreshed and energized. It will also help reset your internal clock so that you can develop good sleep habits easily.
If there are any other ways you think someone could go on their own little journey of self-love, please share below in the comments!
