In recent months, I’ve been inundated with ads and glowing testimonials about wellness retreats. These retreats promise everything from nervous system resets to total mind-body transformation. As a clinical psychologist, I know that healing is a gradual process that requires time and often hard work. The promise of a few days’ retreat leading to deep change feels too good to be true. I decided to find out for myself what really happens behind the scenes. I booked a three-night stay at an...

This post is part of my series, “From Stillness to Cacao: My Mexican Wellness Journey,” where I try different wellness practices and share what I learn along the way. During my pre-travel research into Mexican spirituality, I discovered Annie from Healing Tribes. I felt an instant connection to her work. Her genuine approach, especially her focus on women, immediately caught my attention. I was eager to immerse myself in an authentic Mexican spiritual experience, though I wasn’t sure what to...

Before travelling to Mexico, I was somewhat familiar with cacao’s wellness reputation. I had heard it described as a form of plant medicine, known for its ‘heart-opening’ qualities and its role in emotional healing. As a self-confessed chocoholic, I was intrigued by its wellness properties and its use in the healing space. What exactly did a cacao ceremony involve? How could something so familiar be used in such a sacred, intentional way? My curiosity led me to attend a traditional cacao...