Insomnia, uncontrollable anxiety, hot sweats, brain fog, heightened emotions, there are reportedly over 80 symptoms related to peri menopause and the menopause, and these can affect 50% of the population for well over a decade of their lives.
Maybe the patriarchy got to me because the thought of discussing any of these horrendous, debilitating menopause symptoms brought me out in hives. A kind friend and functional health specialist asked me back along to collaborate on some marketing for her new platform aimed at menopausal women, and I shot back “talking about it makes me want to puke”! I’m guessing as a trained specialist she probably put my extreme reaction down to a severe deficiency in oestrogen there and then, but I was still in denial.
And that is the thing with peri menopause, the symptoms creep up on you like a river of black tar. Slowly ebbing away at your faculties until you find yourself delirious with lack of sleep and wild eyed with rage at the how unfair the entire biological process is, and don’t even get me started on GP’s withholding the life changing HRT else we will be here all day.
My extreme reaction to the suggestion I talked publicly about the menopause did give me pause for thought. Denial, avoidance, grief for my youth were only prolonging the agony. A few weeks later when I was invited to attend a menopause specific wellness retreat designed for women who were experiencing everything I was, I thought “now is the time to face my fears”.
Orchardleigh Estate
The pill was sweetened somewhat when I saw the location of the wellness retreat. Orchardleigh Estate just outside of Frome in Somerset is a privately owned, beautiful Victorian masterpiece. Elmhay Park is their walled garden and orangery, adjacent to the main house which provided a serene setting for our Navigating Menopause retreat.
The guests stay just behind the orangery in converted stable cottages which form a courtyard in which is housed the wood fired sauna and cold plunge. It was a lovely central point in which to convene for a natter after the sessions had ended for the day.
A balanced approach
What really stood out to me about this wellness retreat was the amount of thought that had gone into providing a balanced view of the solutions and help available. Everyone has different symptoms and differing points of view on western medicine vs more homeopathic approaches.
We were expertly guided through educational sessions on HRT from Bristol Menopause, to nutritional advice from award winning author Pauline Cox who specialises in integrative medicine. We were also introduced to more spiritual and holistic ways of approaching this period of our lives from Ayurvedic specialist Jo Webber.
Slowly but surely, I gained some much needed clarity of the situation and it felt like the retreat was offering me a toolkit from which I could pick and choose the bits that felt right for me. I for one find the amount of contradicting advice available online overwhelming and this was the perfect tonic for that.
Activities
The Navigating Menopause retreat is spread over two nights and the talks are interspersed with activities such as Yin Yoga, Qigong, foraging walks and tincture making. The programme is optional so you can dip in and out as you please, but it was engaging enough for you not to want to miss anything.
There is also the option to add on treatments such as Reiki, myofascial release, sports massage and facials to your package. These are delivered in a quiet tranquil room by Becky from Be Your Healing.
We were also treated to connected breathwork sessions and a beautiful expertly executed sound bath to heal us on a more cellular level before bed. It was interesting to note that nearly everyone experienced something completely new on this retreat due to the diverse offering.
The food
A wholesome menu of vegan delights is provided and delivered with such care and attention. Mindful nods to the nutritional advice we had been receiving such as flaxseed in our breakfast to help with hot flashes, mood disturbance and vaginal dryness were considered, and made the entire experience feel very connected.
The variety, tastes, textures and the presentation of the food had everyone talking. It was for want of a better word “banging”! I loved all the dishes especially the miso aubergine with spicy tofu larb and the braised red cabbage was phenomenal. The vegan food was so good it has encouraged me back on to a healthier eating path now that I have returned home.
Overall
Maybe I was lucky, or maybe the retreat was well run either way I was blessed with a diverse group of lovely women from all walks of life. People clicked instantly probably due to Sam’s considered allocation of accommodation and the sensitive flow of the agenda. By the end of the weekend there was a distinct air of camaraderie amongst the ladies and laughter dominated conversation over moaning. Everyone looked noticeably more relaxed by home time including me.
If you are suffering in silence, avoiding the inevitable or just cringing at the M word, this could be the retreat for you to rip the band aid off and get some practical, spiritual and helpful advice in a stunning setting. It is also incredibly good value for money.
Orchardleigh Wellness Retreats has an inviting schedule coming up, such as Cleanse and Rejuvenate and the Wim Hoff experience in January 2025.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
Feature image supplied
