Practicing Self-Care at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort

Brené Brown says “It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol,” so let’s call my latest getaway an act of courage. This past week, I took two days – yes, two days – off from work to stay at the Omni Bedford Springs resort in Bedford, PA. 
 
I had no reason for booking this stay. I had no travel companion. I had no agenda other than to spend my time at the spa or alone in a quiet, Deluxe Queen room. What I did have was time off from work, but, you know, there’s something to what Brené says… I felt a tremendous amount of guilt when I told co-workers I’d be gone for two days. 
 
These feelings of guilt and shame are validated by new research: we’re taking less vacation days than we took 20 years ago. One study found that 52% of Americans didn’t take all of their vacation time in 2017.* This, among other things, is no doubt contributing to the stress and anxiety and exhaustion we all feel. 
 
At the same time, we’re desperate for some relaxation. According to Google Trends, searches for the term “self-care” have increased 190% in the United States within the last five years.** We want the yoga and the meditation and the creative outlets, but we can’t seem to find the time for it all.
 
I even considered cancelling my trip because did I really need it? Fuck it, I thought. I’m taking my two days.
 
The Spa at Omni Bedford Springs
 
The historic award-winning resort offers luxurious accommodations, fine dining, spa services, private tours, and more. Adding to my guilt was the cost of it all, but I would find that my stay was worth every penny. 
 
I purchased a package that included a massage and pedicure at the Springs Eternal Spa. Before my massage, I spent time in the spa lounge. OMG, the lounge. The room is naturally lit, warmed by fireplace, and filled with personal chaise lounges as well as a buffet of tea, fruit-infused water, trail mix, or fresh fruit, an invitation to help myself, thank you very much. 
 
It was quiet – except for soft classical music and the clinking of tea cups – this quiet reinforced by framed reminders from the resort: “Relaxation in Progress | Please Keep the Noise Level to a Minimum.” 

​I parked myself on one of the chaises, and I sipped lavender lemon tea. Some older women were asleep under blankets, clearly not worried about missing their appointments, and I figured this probably wasn’t their first stay.

My massage was excellent. I kept worrying about when it was going to end, and when it finally did, I didn’t want to move. The pedicure was also quite a treat. 
 
I’ll admit that I didn’t completely unplug that day – I peeked at my work email (there’s the guilt again) – and I exchanged some texts and emails regarding studio business. Once assured nothing caught on fire, I was able to relax a little more. 
 
That night, I ordered room service, ate dinner in bed, and I finished a book. Now that’s my idea of self-care. 
 
Omni Bedford Springs resort also offers daily yoga; of course I signed up for class the next morning. It turned out to be a private session, as no one else signed up for the group class. The instructor was extremely accommodating – she asked about my preferred style of practice, my favorite poses, and my injuries – and she gave me exactly what I’d needed that morning. I definitely got my money’s worth ($36, if you must know). 
 
Self-care isn’t selfish, so I’ve heard. I truly believe we can't fully give ourselves to our work or to our families until we give to ourselves. I'm going to remind myself of this when I get my credit card bill. For now, I feel totally re-energized thanks to these couple of days away! 

How do you practice self-care? 

*https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/05/heres-how-many-paid-vacation-days-the-typical-american-worker-gets-.html
**https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&geo=US&q=self%20care