An opportunity to re-imagine the next chapter of your life
This retreat is for peri-menopausal and menopausal women:
Who are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol; or
Who are alcohol-free but are struggling with cravings (including sugar cravings), low mood or energy, or a general sense of discomfort and unease
Things change for us when we go through the hormonal shifts of peri- and menopause.
Our stress burden can escalate, and at the same time our sleep may deteriorate, our moods may plummet (or swing wildly), our anxiety levels may increase.
So we may find ourselves relying on alcohol, sugar, caffeine or other addictive substances or behaviours to help ourselves cope better.
But often they end up making us feel worse.
Behaviours that we may have got away with in the past can affect us more because of physiological changes.
Towards self-compassion:
It starts with understanding what’s driving your behaviour. We’ll talk about hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, genetics, environment, past trauma, current stressors …
This retreat gives you the space to explore what’s going on for you right now.
You’ll learn how alcohol and substances like caffeine and sugar affect the body and the mind - particularly during peri- and menopause - and how cycles of addiction take hold.
With that knowledge, you can choose another path. Instead of self-sabotaging, you can be kind to yourself.
You have the power to rewrite your story.
At this retreat, you will find out how to:
Change damaging patterns of behaviour
Implement lasting changes with self-compassion
Support low mood, anxiety and insomnia
Reduce cravings for alcohol and sugar
Increase motivation and energy
Support bloating, constipation / diarrhoea, reflux and other gut-related problems
Manage joint pain, unwanted weight gain, hot flushes and other symptoms while you go through the hormonal fluctuations of menopause
What’s included:
Small group coaching
Share and learn from other like-minded women who are on the cusp of becoming alcohol-free, or who recently became alcohol-free. Places are limited to give you space to connect.
Expert-led sessions
Gain clarity and a deeper understanding of how alcohol affects the body and the mind while you’re going through the hormonal shifts of peri- and menopause, so you can make empowered choices.
3 nights’ accommodation
We’re staying in a light, spacious house in the heart of the Howgills. All rooms are en-suite and you have the option of a private bedroom to enjoy the luxury of your own space.
Nourishing meals
Enjoy delicious, nourishing meals and get inspiration for simple, healthy eating ideas you can recreate at home. It’s no bootcamp though - desserts are very much on the menu, which reflects my approach to nourishing ourselves (all will be covered in the nutrition sessions!).
Vision board session
An opportunity to be creative and explore what you want from the next chapter of your life. You may surprise yourself…
Guided walk
We’ll be going on a gentle walk through the beautiful Howgills where you’ll gain fresh insights and perspectives.
Downtime
You’ll have the chance to reflect and take everything in, whether through connecting with other women or enjoying a quiet moment alone.
All activities are totally optional - if you’d rather curl up under your duvet with a book, that’s fine too.
Meet the team
Lindsey
I’m Lindsey Beveridge, a registered nutritionist and accredited coach, and I’ll be leading this retreat.
I help people who struggle with alcohol and other addictive patterns of behaviours to free themselves from unhealthy cycles and make powerful, positive changes.
I’ve struggled with alcohol and nicotine addictions and binge eating, and I’ve come out the other side. I entered my 50s full of hope, and it’s my mission to offer that to others.
I offer non-judgemental support for people who are exhausted, stressed or stuck so that life becomes calmer and more manageable. Since qualifying as a registered nutritionist in 2019, I’ve helped 100s of people quit drinking, lose their sugar habit and leave behind damaging behaviours. I’ve supported clients to make changes to their diet and lifestyle that make a big difference.
I’m delighted that I’ll be joined by Katya Willems and Jamie Franklin.
Katya
Katya will take us on a gentle guided walk in the beautiful Howgills to help you feel inspired and grounded.
She will also facilitate a vision board session so you can gain clarity on what you want for this next chapter of your life.
Jamie
Jamie has the all-important role of providing us with delicious, nourishing food. You’ll leave with plenty of inspiration and healthy ideas you can take home.
All special dietary requirements can be catered for.
Here’s what people have to say:
“It’s been the final step for me, and this is when the work really begins. Thank you so much. The stories of others and your story made a mark on me and I feel stronger and more determined to go AF in 2023 and beyond!”
“Absolutely brilliant. Clear, concise and so helpful. Kind-hearted but utterly professional. It was, for me at any rate, inspiring and on point. I would change nothing. Welcoming, warm and beyond informative.”
“Really useful content that I can implement into my life. I really valued and was touched by your honesty and vulnerability in sharing your story and demonstrating change is possible.”
Retreat details
Thursday, January 18, 2024, 5.30 PM
Sunday, January 21, 2024, 10 AM
Sedbergh, Cumbria United Kingdom (map)
Sedbergh is nestled between the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park and the rugged eastern fells of the Lake District. It’s often described as a hidden gem.
All of that wilderness is still accessible. Sedburgh is just a 15-minute drive off junction 37 of the M6.
How to get there
By car: The postcode is LA10 5JN
By train: The nearest train station is Oxenholme in Kendal.
By air: The closest international airports are Glasgow and Manchester.
Accommodation and cost
Spaces are limited - book early to avoid disappointment.
Option 1: Single occupancy en suite rooms: Only ONE room left.
Cost: £675
Option 2: Bed in a shared room (twin en suite): Only ONE bed left.
Cost: £550
Payment plans are available if you prefer to spread the cost. You can choose to pay the total cost upfront or over 3 instalments.
Right for you if
• You’re willing to leave behind self-sabotaging behaviours and learn to be kinder to yourself.
• You’re committed to building healthier habits.
• You’re ready to step into the next period of your life with hope for the future.
Not for you if
• You’re physically dependent on alcohol. This will be an alcohol-free retreat.
• You’re not willing to delve beneath the surface and discover what’s driving your drinking or other addictive behaviours.
• You’re not open to exploring different ways of thinking and being.
FAQ
I’m not sure whether I’m addicted to alcohol or not — is the retreat right for me?
This retreat is about giving people a space to reimagine their lives without drinking. Alcohol is not be allowed to support people to do that.
People may be at different stages in their journey to becoming alcohol-free, and that’s fine. You may have already given up alcohol, but you’re struggling with cravings, or perhaps you’re re-evaluating your relationship with drinking.
There’s a big difference between psychological and physical addiction. If you’re psychologically addicted, this retreat can help set you up on your journey to becoming alcohol-free. If you’re still physically addicted, it may not be right for you just yet.
I’m happy to talk it through if you’re not sure.
I’m not sure I can justify the investment — am I making the right decision?
I want to make this retreat as accessible as possible so I offer a payment plan to help you spread the cost. You have the option to pay in 3 instalments if you prefer.
This retreat is an investment in yourself and you’ll leave feeling excited the next chapter of your life.
I’ve never really taken time out like this, and I feel guilty about it. What if I don’t manage to give up drinking?
That’s totally understandable. Perhaps you’ve always put yourself bottom of the pile and never really prioritised your needs.
The truth is that self-compassion is the key to becoming alcohol-free. We’ll learn what really drives addictive cycles so you can be kinder to yourself. That’s the starting point.
While I can’t guarantee you’ll never drink again, I can assure you it’s so much easier to sustain hard changes when you’re not constantly beating yourself up.
What’s the link between peri-menopause and alcohol?
Great question. We’ll delve into the relationship between peri-menopause and alcohol on the retreat.
Essentially, a lot is going on during the menopause. The changes can affect your body and brain, and how you feel about yourself.
It’s easy to see why people may reach for a drink to cope with the transition but the menopause and alcohol don’t mix. Drinking can make your symptoms worse and lead to a vicious cycle.
But there is hope - menopause is a brilliant time to re-evaluate what you want from life and reimagine your next chapter without alcohol, and that’s what we offer on this retreat.
I’m not sure I’m ready to share my story — is this right for me?
That’s absolutely fine. There’s no pressure to share your story if you don’t want to. As an introvert myself, I know that can often trigger anxiety. It's ok if you feel more comfortable listening than talking - you can learn a lot that way.
To get the most out of the retreat, you need to be willing to delve into what drives your addictive cycles. But you don’t need to share this if you don’t want to.
I’m not keen on being trapped with people I don’t know for the weekend — will there be time out?
Absolutely. There will be plenty of downtime when you can reflect and have a quiet moment alone. You may choose to explore your surroundings or relax in your room.
It’s human nature to feel a little anxious before something like this, as it likely means stepping outside of your comfort zone. Once you realise others feel the same, it can seem less daunting.
“The information provided was packed full of take-away tips and very educational. I gained a better understanding of my health issues, and I can move forward making some new changes after giving up alcohol.
I felt it was just perfect. It was a lovely way to meet new people and hear other people’s stories. ”
“An eye-opener. Really enjoyed this event. Lindsey’s knowledge was A1. Open discussions very informative and honest between the group.”
“The content was spot on, covering all aspects of the topic - from the bare facts about how alcohol affects us (which were startling and very impactful), through to the behavioural side of why we are addicted and how we can overcome cravings, both physically and mentally.”
“It has completely changed the way I view the stopping process and I can see why initial attempts have been difficult to sustain. I always knew that my drinking was stress-related but just hadn’t appreciated the impact and importance of good nutrition.”