A retreat can be an incredible opportunity to pause, reset, reconnect with yourself and create space for change. But what happens before you get on the plane? And what happens when you return home?
The truth is, wellbeing is a journey, not a destination.
That’s why Retreats in Greece is introducing Wellness Begins Here, a new collaboration and resource within Retreats in Greece designed to support the community at every stage of their wellbeing journey.
You Don’t Have To Be Ready For A Retreat
Not everyone is ready to book a retreat immediately.
Sometimes you’re simply curious.
Sometimes you know you need to make a change but don’t know where to start.
Sometimes life is busy, you’re feeling overwhelmed, or the idea of taking several days away from home feels like too big a step right now.
And that’s completely okay.
Wellness should not be something you only think about when you have the time, money or opportunity to travel.
Your wellbeing can start wherever you are.
That is the thinking behind the Wellness Begins Here initiative.
Why Collaborating
As Retreats in Greece has grown, so has the community.
That means connecting people with useful resources and trusted professionals, even if their next step isn’t a retreat in Greece.
The first collaboration is with Dr. X. M. Beba Papakyriakou (PhD), a psychology researcher, educator and published author whose work focuses on emotional wellbeing and understanding the impact of stress on everyday life.
Through her research, professional experience and lived experience, Beba developed the Paco Straws™ Framework, which is designed to help people recognise their own stress patterns, understand their responses and develop greater awareness and resilience.
Introducing Stress Reframed: Paco Straws™
The first resource shared through Wellness Begins Here is the Stress Reframed: Paco Straws™ Tier I – Stress Interpreter Reset programme.
This particular collaboration fits closely with something we see again and again within the retreat world.
People often arrive at a retreat when they are already exhausted.
They’ve been running on empty.
They’ve put themselves last.
They’ve ignored the warning signs because life has been too busy.
And eventually, they reach the point where they know they need to stop.
But what if we could start earlier?
The Paco Straws™ Framework focuses on recognising stress earlier and developing practical strategies rather than waiting until we reach complete exhaustion.
That makes it particularly relevant for our community.
A Resource For Those Who Aren’t Quite Ready To Travel
One of the things we love about this collaboration is that it doesn’t require you to book a flight, pack a suitcase or travel anywhere.
You can begin from home.
The programme is designed for people who may be feeling overwhelmed, want practical ways to understand and manage stress, are curious about wellness retreats but aren’t quite ready to book one, or simply want to work on their wellbeing at their own pace.
We don’t want someone to feel that they have to book a retreat before they can become part of the Retreats in Greece community.
Perhaps your journey begins with an online programme.
Perhaps it begins with Pilates.
Perhaps it’s a walk by the sea.
Perhaps it’s finally taking a day off.
Perhaps, six months from now, it becomes a week in Greece.
There is no single right way to begin.
How This Can Help The Community
We see Wellness Begins Here as another layer of support for the people who already connect with Retreats in Greece.
For retreat guests
If you’re considering a retreat but don’t feel quite ready, this gives you somewhere to start.
You can begin working on your wellbeing before you travel, potentially helping you arrive at a future retreat with greater self-awareness and clarity.
For retreat hosts
Our hosts are supporting people who often arrive looking for rest, connection and a reset.
Having additional trusted resources to share with guests can help extend that support beyond the retreat itself.
For wellness professionals
We want to continue building a community where trusted practitioners, educators and wellbeing businesses can connect with people who are actively looking for ways to improve their wellbeing.
For everyone who simply isn’t ready yet
This might actually be the most important group of all.
You don’t have to be ready.
You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You don’t even have to know what kind of retreat you’re looking for.
You can simply start.
Discover the full story behind Wellness Begins Here on Retreats in Greece!
About the Author
Gilly Gwilliams is the founder of Retreats in Greece and Evexia Wellness on the island of Kos. A passionate wellness seeker, she is on a mission to showcase Greece as a leading wellness destination while helping people reconnect with themselves through meaningful retreat experiences. Inspired by her own journey through health challenges, Gilly believes in the power of holistic wellbeing, purposeful living, and creating space for personal transformation. Originally from the UK and now living in Kos with her husband, two dogs, and a lively collection of animals, she combines her love of Greece, nature, and wellness to help others live healthier, happier lives.