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“Contiiiiinue…” Giuseppe guides in a hushed, musical tone as I channel all of my efforts into slackening my spine, unclenching my jaw, and unfurling my fists. Responding to his gentle instructions, I inhale deeply from my stomach, hold for three seconds, and exhale through my nose, repeating for several cycles. This is followed by a shorter interval of chest breathing, which feels much more shallow and uncomfortable but also, strangely, more familiar to me.
Living as an undiagnosed autistic ADHDer for 34 years has trapped me in perpetual fight or flight, placing an invisible vise around my lungs. “The stomach and chest are home to the diaphragm, which allows the lungs to empty completely and thus renew their oxygen supply,” Giuseppe tells me afterwards. “According to Chinese medicine, the proper movement of breathing ensures communication between the upper and lower parts of the body, allowing energy to flow freely without blockages.” As I eventually surrender to the exercise, incorporating both the stomach and the chest in a final series of conscious breaths that draw in air with my whole being, the phantom grip loosens, and I taste a hint of that sweet, free-flowing energy.
‘Letting Go’ was created to rebuild healthier relationships between overstimulated individuals and their present. Over the course of three nights, participants benefit from a combination of treatments and therapies aimed at grounding them in the here-and-now, including cooking classes, massages, and guided excursions. “We want our guests to break away from burnout, to reconnect with their senses and self,” says Roberta Rovelli, the Senior SPA Receptionist. And reconnecting is what I do over the next few days: an exquisite anti-aging lavender facial feels as if its scrubbing away years of camouflaging; a morning walk among olive groves and shaded woodland engages more than my under-worked calves; and even sipping a cup of floral tea becomes a meditative ritual. One afternoon, I forage for herbs that grow wild in the resort grounds, later using them to flavor a dish of hand-rolled cavatelli in Chef Mariano Melluso’s holistic cooking class. With contagious nonchalance, he describes the three stages of pasta-making—stress, rest, shape—and challenges me, in the kindest of ways, to embrace imperfection.
It’s a reminder to stop glamorizing exhaustion and control, and to start prioritizing restoration and renewal. Whether neurodivergent or not, it’s a relatable concept, and Lefay’s ‘Letting Go’ program signifies a shift towards wellness travel experiences that champion our sacred selves. The ‘Rebalancing Bliss’ program at Sri Lanka’s Santani Wellness claims to cleanse anyone addled by stress or zapped of energy, while the ‘Burnout Recovery Retreat’ at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar promises deeper links to one’s inner purpose. Recently, FUEGO hosted ‘From Autopilot to Authenticity’ in Mallorca, a retreat that seeks to reset participants’ nervous systems and reignite intention.
