Self-care is so important but sometimes it is not as simple as quiet time or a good night’s sleep. Sometimes we need a self-care vacation, a place we can go reconnect with ourselves and get back on track with our health (both mentally and physically). You don’t need to travel far to find a self-care vacation that works for you. There are a lot of self-care destinations right here in Pennsylvania.
Here are a few that got our attention:
1.) Himalayan Institute
Located less than three hours from Move Forward Counseling’s Landisville office and a short afternoon drive from Philadelphia, the Himalayan Institute is in Honesdale, PA. This picturesque resort has been a place for people to gather and shut off the outside world for more than 40 years. It offers morning and evening yoga classes, on-site meditation rooms, and a tea lounge with unlimited beverages. Looking for a way to get outside? You can explore the resort’s 400-acre campus on its hiking trails.
This Honesdale retreat offers chiropractic care and therapeutic massage. It holds therapeutic retreats, focusing on relaxation, detoxification, and rejuvenation. More on this wellness resort can be found at https://www.himalayaninstitute.org
2.) The Lodge at Woodloch
Located in Hawley, PA—three hours from Lancaster—this resort is all about stress relief. From art classes and forest bathing to meditation and float therapy, this Woodloch lodge offers everything you need to unwind and reconnect with YOU. It has a full spa offering services such as hydro-massage (performed under a wall of water), facials, and deep-tissue massages. If sleep is something you struggle with, you can receive a treatment to help you fall asleep in the lodge’s memory foam beds.
The Poconos resort is designed to help shift guests’ focus from the hustle and bustle of outside life to their inner beauty. Guests can partake in a digital detox, learn more about their chakra energy, reconnect with loved ones through a couples float session, and discover more about healthy foods. More on this wellness resort can be found at https://www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com
3.) Omni Bedford Springs Resort
A two-hour drive from Lancaster, this Bedford resort is great for someone looking to relax. Its 30,000 square-foot spa uses natural spring water to refresh visitor’s senses and bring them back to earth. If you are looking for more than mud baths, massages, or reiki healing, the Bedford resort also has heated outdoor/indoor pools, tennis courts, fitness classes, yoga, hiking, golf, and meditation offerings.
This resort—overlooking the Alleghany Mountains—was one of the first to offer indoor pools in 1905 where visitors would be serenaded by musicians in the elevated opera box. To learn more about the Bedford resort visit https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bedford-springs/wellness/pools
If resorts aren’t your thing, you might consider camping or hiking near one of Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks. Popular hiking trails are located near Pittsburgh, Washington, Farmington, and York, to name a few. Learn more at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/Pages/default.aspx
Taking care of your mental health is a top priority. After all, you can’t be the best version of yourself if you are exhausted and overwhelmed. At Move Forward Counseling we have recently started working with clients all over the state of PA, including Pittsburgh, State College, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. We offer online therapy (telehealth) appointments and accept a variety of insurances.
