03/12/2026
Every spring I host retreats, and people often ask why I choose this time of year.
Part of it is intuitive. Spring is a season of renewal—longer days, more light, more energy. But there’s also something deeper happening. After months of pushing, producing, and navigating the demands of daily life, many of us are carrying a lot of nervous system load.
Our bodies are incredibly adaptive, but they also need intentional spaces to shift out of constant “doing” mode and back into regulation. That’s what Lake Girl Retreats are designed to do: create the conditions for deep rest while still being fully alive in the experience.
Here are a few of the ways we do that:
1. We move.
The nervous system loves movement. Research consistently shows that physical activity helps regulate stress responses by lowering cortisol and increasing mood-supporting neurochemicals like endorphins and dopamine.
But the way we move matters.
Sometimes it’s slow and intentional—mobility work, yoga, breathwork. Other times it’s adventurous—hiking, white water rafting, zip lining. We challenge ourselves just enough to wake up our bodies and remind ourselves what we’re capable of. And we do it together.
Movement in nature, combined with social support, has been shown to amplify both physical and psychological benefits.
2. We build real community and support.
One thing I’ve learned as a coach is that many people are carrying things they rarely say out loud—transitions, uncertainty, stress, questions about purpose.
When we create space to talk about those things honestly, something shifts.
Psychological research shows that social connection is one of the strongest buffers against chronic stress. Feeling seen, heard, and supported helps the body move out of survival mode and into a state where reflection and problem solving become possible.
At LGR, we don’t stay stuck in the hard conversations—but we do acknowledge them. Once something is spoken and supported, it often loses its grip. From there, we focus forward with clarity, answering questions like, what does your next chapter look like?
3. We play.
Adults desperately need more play, not productivity disguised as fun or more performance metrics.
The neuroscience of play shows that it supports creativity, learning, emotional regulation, and social bonding. It activates reward pathways in the brain and helps reset the nervous system in ways that pure “rest” sometimes can’t.
You can almost feel it in the room.
Shoulders drop.
Breathing slows.
Energy softens.
It’s like a collective exhale.
Not just because we practiced breathwork—but because something deeper recalibrated. LGR alums leave lighter. Clearer. More themselves.
Spring feels like the perfect time for that kind of reset and a LGR! I’m curious—what helps your nervous system come back into balance when life gets full?
