Holistic health consultant and healthy lifestyle designer Paola Atlason doesn’t believe in just taking vacations for balance. She practices self-care every day and incorporates balance into her daily routine. Paola will soon be unplugging and de-stressing in one of our cabins. But in the meantime, Paola is sharing with us her tips for bringing the best parts of Getaway into our daily routines.
Practical and easy self-care tips for staying balanced throughout the day
One of my favorite ways to recalibrate is by being in nature. As a New Yorker for the past 20 years this is not always easy, so I rely on a handful of self-care rituals to keep me grounded throughout the day.
I would first like to demystify what “self-care” means- it simply refers to any practice in which you feel cared for and supported. It doesn’t involve costly products, it doesn’t have to be time consuming, you can do it from the comfort of your home and in your own time. It should be practiced in bite sizes, throughout the day, every day – not saved exclusively for Sundays.
The most important ritual is to begin the day with a focus on yourself. Those few minutes spent in nurturing silence set the tone for the rest of your waking hours. The following is my trusted 3-step morning routine, one that I’ve practiced for years and still brings me joy:
SIMPLY BREATHE
By placing attention on the breath upon awakening, we welcome clean energy into our bodies. Conscious deep breathing oxygenates the blood and ignites internal heat, which is very important during the cold winter months.
The Technique: While laying in bed take a full deep breath in for a count of four, and slowly release for a count of six. Feel free to sigh or open your mouth as you exhale. Repeat for 4 to 6 rounds and as you scan your body, smile, stretch and indulge.
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
As you open your eyes, in your mind list three things you’re grateful for. This easy yet highly effective practice changes your brain chemistry and shifts the focus onto the positive. Keep it simple to begin with (I’m often grateful for my hands and sunlight). Once you get going, your list will grow.
WAKE UP!
My favorite hands-on ritual is “dry skin brushing”. This practice promotes circulation and detoxification by stimulating the lymphatic system (aka the body’s washing machine). Using a natural bristle brush – before you shower – with firm yet gentle strokes start at the bottom of your feet and brush up the legs, torso and arms, and back down the neck and chest towards the heart.
For detailed step-by-step instructions and brush recommendations please visit my blog.
We created our Artist Fellowship Program to give artists time and space to create. Uninterrupted and in the middle of nature, we love that our cabins can provide the inspirational setting for artists to be their best. We’re very excited to show off a selection of our Artist Fellows’ work over the last few months.
Vincent Ribeiro is a versatile artist in mediums ranging from construction and architecture to graphic design and photography. Most recently, he visited our Boston Outpost for a creative kick.
Brittany Fan finds inspiration in nature to create ceramics, painting, photography, illustration, hand lettering, and graphic design in and around her native Charlottesville.
Johnson Kow is a photographer and specializes in landscapes, cityscape, and portraits. Photography is his creative outlet aside from his engineering work, and it’s taken him to fascinating places and introduced him to interesting people.
Deanna Jacome is a multi-media artists working primarily in mixed-media painting. Deanne escaped to our Boston Outpost to create painted collages incorporating pieces of her past paintings and handmade paper made from dried leaves.
Chelsea Ma is a Creative Director based in NYC. She draws on the creative energy of her surroundings, from New York architecture to tiny wooded cabins in the Catskills.
Jeri Choi has stayed at Getaway DC a number of times and we love how she’s made a new tradition for her family of four (soon to be five). We asked Jeri to share more about her experience with Getaway, as well as her favorite family-friendly places to stop along the way.
“Are we there yet?! Are we there yet?!”
Only 15 mins into our estimated 2-hour drive and we were already hearing the chants and giggles get louder from our 2 kids in the backseat.
The kids were so excited. We were on our way to the Getaway.
My husband and I try our best to catch up and talk to our kids at dinner each night and then pick up the conversation as part of their bedtime routine. We listen to them talk about their day, read them a book, and pray for them. But that time is never enough—there are always more stories from what happened at school and more jokes they want to share.
Especially during certain seasons of busyness, we find that we can lose ourselves crossing off to-do lists, following a strict schedule, and living by our Google Calendar all while making sure that the kids are fed, clean, and generally doing well.
It was one winter, during a particularly busy time, that my husband suggested we go away for a few days as a family. A getaway to the Getaway, to retreat as a family of four.
Our very first trip actually took us close to 4 hours to get there. We stopped multiple times for bathroom breaks, for coffee, for gas, to change a diaper, and eventually got stuck in traffic because of the rain.
It was horrible. It’s not what I had planned or imagined. I wanted the two days away to be the best—about us, disconnecting from our busy lives and reconnecting as a family. But here we were, in traffic, spending the majority of it in a parked car on the highway.
The last stretch of traffic made our kids really antsy so we decided to take just one more stop before heading to our cabin. We stumbled upon a shopping center with a Target, about 35 minutes from the Getaway.
The kids ran down the aisles, getting out all their wiggles, following us as we looked around for diapers and milk. Moving through the aisles, our kids got a hold of different snacks and toys and continued to ask me if we could buy it. Annoyed from the rain and the cold, I didn’t even hear what they were asking, just responded with, “No. We have to go.”
Our daughter grabbed a box of cereal, tugged on my jacket and asked, “Can we get this for breakfast? I’ve always wanted to try unicorn marshmallows!” I quickly snapped back, “No! I planned to make pancakes so we’re having pancakes for breakfast.”
I saw her put it back on the shelf and she hopped back onto the cart as my husband pushed it. He turned around and smiled at me. I walked towards him and he put his arm around me and said to our kids, “Hey guys, let’s hurry up here so we can go!”
As we were checking out, our son started to cry. He was hungry. We were all hungry and we needed to eat dinner. In the same shopping center was Panera. We made our way over and sat down in the booth. Our daughter at this point was tired and started to wind down, putting her head on the table. Trying to revive her excitement and also to remind myself of why we came, I kept telling her, “Just wait! As soon as we get there, we are going to have so much fun!” She looked up at me and said, “Mama, but this is already fun!” Her face brightened up as she looked at me and continued to tell me stories of what happened at school—right where we left off the other night before bed.
I tried to hold back my tears as I was trying to eat my broccoli cheddar soup. The idea of wanting rest and connecting with my family looked effortless in my perfect schedule. I wanted to cross off my to-do list of our trip to find rest when really that would never give me peace.
Obviously, not following it made me unhappy—living like this would never make me happy. I needed to lay down my selfish and unreasonable expectations for myself, as a mom, as a wife, and for our family. There will always be a to-do list but only one moment in time when our kids are little. I just needed to be present for my daughter, for my family.
I apologized to my daughter for my crabby attitude. And my very keen daughter responded, “It’s ok mom. I forgive you. I get like that when I’m hungry too!” We left Panera with full stomachs and a new sense of excitement. Our last 30 minutes in the car were filled with singing, guessing games, and laughter. We were enjoying each others company and even decided to make one more stop at Sheetz to grab ice-cream for dessert!
We pulled up to our cabin and unloaded our bags. The kids had so much fun holding up flashlights for us to see the path from the car to the door. We were all wet and cold, but our cabin was warm inside and greeted us with a pleasant smell of wood and fresh bedsheets. We washed up, put the kids in their pajamas, and talked some more in bed. Right before falling asleep, our two-year-old son said, “this is the best ever.” And it was. It was the best ever.
Since then, our family has gone two more times. We book our trips when we know we’ll have a busier season coming up for us. It’s become our new tradition. On the way to our cabin, we’ll all take turns sharing knock-knock jokes that we’ve been saving up, talk about school and work, share our hopes and dreams. We stop by that same Target from our first trip where our kids will each pick out a snack of their choice along with a box of cereal to eat for breakfast the next day. Then we make our way over to Panera to grab a bite to eat while talking about what we want to do during our stay.
Here are a few places we’ve stumbled upon either by accident, because of a bathroom break, or because one of our kids yelled, “Can we go there?!” We hope you and your family enjoy them as much as we do during your Getaway. We can’t wait to go back again but this time with our new baby!
Culpeper Colonnade (15295 Montanus Dr, Culpeper, VA 22701) The shopping center we always stop by on the way. About 35 mins from the Getaway; has stores from Target, Dicks Sporting Goods to Panera, and Chik-fil-a.
Yoder’s Country Market(2105 S Seminole Trl. Madison, VA 22727) It’s a market, deli, petting zoo, and also has a playground! For lunch, we drive 12 mins from our cabin to Yoder’s Country Market. The deli has great food and we’ll take some time to shop around for some snacks. The kids love the free petting zoo behind the market and when they’re done watching the goats and peacocks, they’ll make their way over to the playground. We’ll also grab Trickling Springs ice cream to enjoy on the rocking chairs in front of the market.
Moo-Thru (11402 James Madison Hwy. Remington, VA 22734) Our family loves ice cream! We try to stop by Moo-Thru either on the way to the Getaway or on the way home from our trip because of the distance- about 45 minutes from the Outposts. If the weather is nice, the kids will run around outside or we will take a break under the pavilion to eat a packed meal and enjoy our ice cream.
Sheetz (7020 Seminole Trl. Ruckersville, VA 22968) I know its just a gas station and convenience store but its open 24 hours! It’s inevitable that you’ll forget to bring something, especially if you have children. We’ve made so many runs to Sheetz for all sorts of things, even in the middle of the night, just 15 minutes drive from the Outposts.
Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive (Swift Run Gap Entrance Station at Rt. 33) The kids love to explore around our cabin and take pictures of interesting finds. We also run into other people staying at the Getaway walking their dogs and the kids love greeting them. But if we need to get out, we drive 15 minutes to enjoy the beautiful view at Shenandoah National Park.
S’mores and campfire (at the cabin) One thing we look forward to is the campfire to make s’mores! Getaway is so kind and gifts you a s’mores kit, however, make sure to pack extra graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows because if you’re anything like our family, we can always eat more s’mores!
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment to highlight a few of the incredible women who make Getaway possible. From our field team at our Outposts, to our headquartered team in Brooklyn, and our guests, meet the women of Getaway.
Stephanie Dombrowski is the assistant site manager at our New York Outpost. As a member of our field team, Stephanie plays a crucial role in welcoming guests into our cabins. Whenever guests have problems, big or small, Stephanie is there to help and she is instrumental in our ability to offer guests the peace and relaxation they deserve. If you find yourself at Getaway New York, you may see Stephanie’s smiling face on your way out.
Anthea Song has been a fan of Getaway for a while now, as one of our very first guests. The New York City resident has stayed in our cabins six different times and says that Getaway has become a second home for her.
“Its simplicity is so pure, and yet filled with a personal touch that shows the heart and care [the team] has put into it,” Anthea says. “It gives me space, while making me feel I’m cared for; it empowers my sense of independence.”
Over at our headquarters in Brooklyn, Afshan Dosani is the senior growth manager for our marketing team. She works on making the Getaway experience as easy as possible and helps get the word out about our tiny cabins. For Afshan, Getaway is a special place where she takes time to slow down and recharge from city life.
On International Women’s Day, we want to celebrate not only the women of Getaway, but women and girls around the world.
That’s why for every booking made today, March 8, we’re donating $10 to She’s the First, an organization that fights gender inequality through education.
The non-profit raises funds for girls who are the first in their families to graduate from high school, while training young women to be the global leaders of tomorrow. Book a cabin today.
I’ve long thought we should have more holidays. Why isn’t there, at least, one holiday every month? If we were to add more holidays, what things would you want us to carve out time for? One of my votes would be for us all to celebrate the National Day of Unplugging, a “24 hour respite from technology.” Read more about the day here.
So on March 1, we’re unplugging. Don’t worry if you’re staying with us that day — our field teams are at the ready to ensure you get your own time to recharge.
It’s a special day that’s about replacing push notifications with a pull towards the outdoors, setting aside our likes and follows for more time with the people we like the most. I appreciate my cell phone and my “connected” world, but it’s about setting a day to acknowledge that the counterbalance is just as important.
To me, National Day of Unplugging comes at the perfect time. Inevitably, at least in the Northeast, we spend a lot of time indoors in February. More time inside often equates to more time on screens, longer work hours, and less opportunity to meaningfully get away. Here’s hoping this special day serves as a reminder to us all about the upside of unplugging.
We believe in disconnecting to reconnect with what’s really important, including your relationship with your significant other. It can be easy to let work and other distractions get in the way of spending quality time together.
This Valentines Day, find some time to bring you and your partner closer together as a couple. We have a list of activities to get you started on just that. Whether you’re in the comfort of your home or on a peaceful escape, this list of activities will help you and your Valentine bond together.
Answer the 36 Questions That Lead to Love
This famous list featuring 36 questions meant to build intimacy was popularized by a New York Times Modern Lovecolumn in 2015. Originally created by a team of psychologists led by Arthur Aron, the questions are based on the idea that vulnerability fosters closeness. Try them with your partner to get to know them better and don’t let the length of your relationship stop you. Answers can change with time and can remind you of why you fell in love with your partner in the first place.
Learn a New Skill Together
Whether it’s as simple as learning to tie a knot together or as challenging as learning a new language, let the process of learning bring you closer. Even just trying out a new recipe together can bring you closer. Talk about the shared experience and what may be easy or challenging about your activity. Ask each other for help when you hit a snag. It’s those little gestures that can foster closer connection.
Write Each Other A Letter
Sometimes communication is easier through writing. Try penning a letter to your partner telling them your favorite qualities about them and ask them 3-5 questions. Then swap letters and write each other back. Writing together will bond you and can give you another avenue to connect with one another.
Dance it Out
If you and your partner want to lighten the mood, have a dance party. Dancing will get your endorphins going. Don’t worry if you don’t think your dancing skills are up to par – there’s no winners or losers in a dance party. It’s good to let yourself be silly around your partner and make each other laugh.
While you can do these just about anywhere, we’re of course partial to Getaway. Let yourselves escape the city, put your phones away, and reconnect in nature together.
In our modern over-stimulated world, we believe it’s important to take time to disconnect from our screens and recharge. Being sucked in by a good read is a great way take a break from your phone.
Every Getaway cabin comes with a selection of books, but just in case you want to bring your own, our friends at BookSparks shared with us their list of winter must-reads. Whether you prefer memoirs or thrillers, this list has the perfect book for you to curl up with when it’s chilly outside.
In this heartbreaking new thriller from Christina McDonald, a mother is forced to come to terms with her daughter’s near-death encounter, while tracking down the truth about what happened to her. Abi has been told that her daughter attempted to take her own life, but when she finds suspicious bruises on Olivia’s wrists, she refuses to accept the police’s explanation. Things get more dire when Abi finds out that her daughter is not only brain dead, but pregnant, with doctors keeping Olivia on life support to keep the baby alive. Racing against the clock to find out the truth, Abi’s finding will reveal an evil truth no mother should ever have to face.
The perfect winter read for Game of Thrones fans, Marlon James’s new novel brings readers a masterful mashup of fantasy, history and folklore. Tracker is a hunter who has always insisted on working by himself, but when he’s armed with a rag-tag search team and given the task of finding a young boy who has been missing for three years, he’ll come to find that this job will be unlike any he’s ever embarked on before. With the appearance of deadly creatures and deep-rooted secrets, Tracker realizes that finding the boy could mean life or death for him and his entire group.
Two young and ambitious souls find themselves on a thrilling new journey in The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo. Ji Lin will do anything to help pay back her mom’s debts and when she finds an unsettling item in the dance hall where she works, it sends her on the kind of adventure she has always craved. Meanwhile, 11-year-old Ren is doing his best to track down an item from his late master. As Ji Lin and Ren’s paths collide, they’ll learn the true devastation of love and the hope that can bloom in even the darkest of places.
A mysterious and intriguing illness plagues the pages of this new release by New York Times bestselling author, Karen Thompson Walker. When a young college student finds that her roommate won’t wake up no matter how hard she tries, it becomes a case for doctors who can’t seem to get to the bottom of the mystery. As more and more people fall victim to this disturbing illness, everyone goes into survival mode, doing what they can to avoid the sickness. But as doctors monitor those who have been affected, they soon realize that their brain function is consistently increasing leaving everyone to wonder what the victims are dreaming about.
If you’re a memoir fan and haven’t picked up Maid by Stephanie Land yet, it’s time to add it to your Amazon cart. This touching true story follows the life and trying times of a young mother who did everything she could to get by and provide a full life for her daughter. Leaving the idea of college and becoming a full-time writer behind, she took to working as a maid and taking as many classes as she could at night to further her journalism dreams. Through heartwrenching dedication and harrowing experiences, Land learned what it really means to be part of the working class in the United States. In this new memoir, Land details the horrors of trying to get by in America—a story that not many are brave enough to tell.
Grab your favorite read, curl up, and lose time in its pages. The best place to do just that is right here at Getaway.
Gifting can be hard, so we have curated a collection of meaningful gifts to give this Valentine’s Day. Think your less traditional chocolates and flowers, and more thoughtful ways to bring you both together.
There’s a special thing we like to say about going on a Getaway, which is that we provide you with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Gift giving can be a challenge in that respect – why clutter with more “things,” when really the ultimate gift is just one another? That’s why we’ve compiled a very short list of some very no frills things that will surprise, delight, and reconnect you with your loved one – whether it’s a partner, a child, or maybe even just falling more deeply in love with yourself.
Monthly Plant Subscription
As minimalist houseplant company, The Sill, tries to remind us, plants make people happy. Bring a piece of the natural world inside and give your partner (and/or yourself) the ongoing gift of greenery. Learn how to tend to a plant, and bask in that humid glow.
Savor those special moments. Buy a photo book and fill it with cherished places, artifacts, and memories you’ve spent together. Bonus points if you leave space for your future adventures together.
There’s that not-quite-yet tired cliche that food is the language of love. Gift a cooking class and learn how to create delicious meals for each other from scratch.
Try the handmade pasta class at Taste Buds Kitchen or check out the vegan options at Natural Gourmet Institute.
Time Spent Together
The best thing about Valentine’s Day is spending time together. Give the gift of an unforgettable few days of disconnection, a stay when time seems to stretch right before your very eyes.
We believe in getting back in touch with what matters, especially time with loved ones. There’s no better time to celebrate and reconnect than Valentine’s Day.
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