The words “vacation” and “retreat” both connote a “getaway”, a period of time set apart from regular daily schedules and stresses that allows an individual to enjoy themselves in a new setting. However, these words and their definitions are actually significantly different! Here are a few ways that vacations and retreats differ, and why each has its own benefits.
What the End Goal Is
Again, both vacations and retreats signal a predesigned period of time for relaxation, fun, and pleasure. However, as Project Passport points out, the end goals of each are different! Vacations are a way to take a break, to remove yourself from work, to escape the struggles that you currently face in favor of a location with zero expectations or commitments. The purpose of a retreat is to improve oneself through meditation, connection with the environment and spirit, self-control, etc. Retreats are meant to help the retreater to feel more in control of their lives—therefore, the content of the trip requires more consciousness and effort on oneself in whatever aspect of life they feel they need to improve upon.
Who is They Focus On
Vacations usually involve more than just one person. Friends, family and spouses take trips to simply enjoy each other’s company while trying new things or going back to favorite things. Vacations focus on the people one travels with in connection to one’s personal pleasures. According to Beyond Yoga Retreat, although both are designed for relaxation, a retreat is focused on you and only you. Because retreats are meant for self-improvement, your attention is completely on you! Retreats use methods of increasing self-awareness to promote the recognition of, and determination and motivation to improve lifestyles or mindsets or beliefs, on an individual level rather than a group one.
Activities and Time Management
The activities involved in each kind of getaway can overlap, but there are a few distinct kinds of activities that are more popular for one form than for another. For example, vacations often involve both spontaneous, high energy activities and low energy relaxation periods— like going water skiing, climbing, or going on a fast-paced amusement park ride before enjoying a quiet and calm afternoon at the beach, the resort, the park or pool. Retreats utilize specialized methods of self-connection like yoga, long walks or hikes, or periods of reflection and pondering, often led by a designated guide that walks the retreater through the process of “healing”. Retreats may therefore require a longer time commitment than vacations.
Whether you need a break from your stressors with some friends and family doing things that boost your adrenaline, or a little time to develop some personal qualities you feel you need through peaceful exercising your mind, there is certainly a perfect getaway for you.
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