As a physiotherapist and wellbeing workshop facilitator I frequently get asked this question. It can be a roadblock for people to choose whether to attend an event or workshop…
It’s a completely valid question to ask yourself. Taking a week , a few days or even just an afternoon out of your life and spending a significant amount of money is a big commitment.
The key to justifying it is to shift your perspective from viewing it as an expense to seeing it as an investment—an investment in yourself.
Here’s a breakdown of how you can justify the time and cost, broken down into different categories:
The “Return on Investment” (ROI) in You
Think of the retreat or workshop as a strategic investment with a measurable return.
What is the alternative? Continuing on the same path, which may lead to burnout, stress, reduced productivity, and potentially, health issues.
Improved Productivity and Focus:
A well-being workshop can teach you techniques for stress management, mindfulness, and improved focus. When you return to your daily life with a clearer mind and a more regulated nervous system, you’ll likely be more efficient, creative, and productive.
The time and money you spend can be offset by a subsequent increase in your output.
Reduced Healthcare Costs:
Chronic stress and neglect of well-being can lead to physical and mental health problems. The skills you learn at a workshop—like breathing exercises, mindful movement, and emotional regulation—are preventative medicine. They can help you avoid costly doctor’s visits, therapy, or medication in the long run.
Enhanced Decision-Making:
When you’re not operating under the constant pressure of stress, your cognitive function improves. This can lead to better decision-making in your career, finances, and personal relationships, which can have a significant positive impact on your life. “The “Break from the Grind”
A retreat or well-being workshop isn’t just about learning; it’s also a dedicated, structured break from your routine.
A “Mini-Vacation” with a Purpose:
You could spend the same amount of time and money on a traditional vacation. However, a well-being workshop is a vacation with a clear, self-improvement goal. You get the benefit of a change of scenery and a break from responsibilities, plus you come away with tangible skills and a renewed sense of purpose, rather than just a tan.
Preventing Burnout:
Ignoring the signs of burnout can be incredibly costly in the long run, both to your career and your personal life. Taking three days to proactively address your well-being can prevent a much longer and more difficult recovery period down the road.
Reconnection with Yourself:
In the constant rush of daily life, it’s easy to lose touch with your own needs, values, and desires. A workshop provides a rare opportunity for self-reflection and introspection, allowing you to reconnect with what truly matters to you.
Practical Skills Acquisition:
Most well-being workshops are not just about “feeling good;” they are about learning and practicing concrete skills.
New Tools for Your Toolkit:
Guided by an experienced facilitator ( in my case a physiotherapist and wellbeing consultant with years of experience)….You’ll learn new techniques for meditation, breathwork, mindful eating, or setting boundaries.
These aren’t abstract concepts—they are practical tools you can immediately integrate into your life to manage stress , maintain strength and improve your day-to-day experience.
Expert Guidance:
I explain to my community that the cost often includes access to expert facilitators who have dedicated their lives to these practices. Trying to learn these things on your own from a book or app is not the same as receiving real-time feedback and guidance in a supportive group setting.
The investment of mindful movement
Including mindful movement such as yoga, Pilates and flow in a workshop is a powerful way to justify its time and cost, as it adds tangible value beyond just the intellectual content.
Guided mindful movement transforms a passive learning experience into an active, holistic one. The value is in the physical and mental skills you acquire and practice in real time.
I find the movement and exercise sessions an effective way of giving participants a method to reset their focus, release tension, and regulate their nervous system,. The mindful movement included in my workshops is providing a skill that directly counteracts the fatigue that often comes with busy lives, work, study and stagnation…
The mind body connection is invaluable
Research suggests that embodied learning, where you learn with your body as well as your mind, can lead to deeper and more lasting retention of information. Mindful movement helps participants connect to their physical state, which in turn can make them more receptive to growth.
Addressing the “Cost of Sitting”:
In a world where many people spend their days sitting, mindful movement directly addresses the negative physical and mental health effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
Building a Community:
Through facilitating classes, workshops and retreats for years I have seen the profound impact they have on social
Connection and community.. You’ll be in a room with other people who are also investing in their well-being. This can be a powerful opportunity to build a support network and feel less alone in your journey.
Some tips on How to Justify a retreat investment to Yourself
Define Your Goals:
Before you book, get specific about what you hope to achieve.
Do you want to learn to meditate?
Get better at managing anxiety?
Find clarity on a career path?
Develop and maintain strength and balance?
Write down your intentions…..
Calculate the “Cost of Not Going”:
Consider the potential negative consequences of not investing in your well-being. This could be continued stress, a decline in job performance, strained relationships, or simply a feeling of being stuck.
Frame It as an Investment:
Instead of thinking of the cost as “money spent,” reframe it as “money invested in my future self.” Acknowledge that this investment will pay dividends in your health, happiness, and effectiveness.
Plan for Post-Workshop Integration:
I love to assist my clients with this task as part of the workshop.
The value of the workshop is what you do afterward. Commit to a plan for integrating the skills you learn into your daily life. This will ensure your investment has a lasting impact.
Ultimately, justifying a well-being workshop is about recognizing that
your well-being is not a luxury, but a fundamental necessity for a fulfilling and productive life.
See you on the mat,
Lisa x
