Useful items you might need before,
during, or after your your detox retreat
See other useful pages to get the most from your retreat
Directions & Pre-retreat Suggestions
Things to Bring on your detox retreat
Your favourite belt - maybe one that you haven’t had use for a while. It may sound amusing, but many people find that that fit at the beginning of the week, don’t fit so well at the end !
1-2 towels for the swimming pool and sauna (2 bath towels are provided by the venue, but they are not to be used in the pool area). There is a washing machine/dryer if you need it.
Your own favourite brand of Shampoo & Conditioner, although alternatives will be discussed and available on the retreat.
Please don’t use any strong-smelling chemical perfumes or body products while you are here, due to chemical sensitivity during the fasting process. And everyone gets more sensitive to such things as the detox progresses.
Also, your own prefered soap – try using something less perfumed, as the body can become quite sensitive when resting and detoxing.
If you have a skin brush and/or tongue scraper, they will be of great use to aid the detox, but they will also be on sale during the week, for those that do not have them already.
There will be a water bottle here for you, but perhaps you have your own already - please not single-use plastic bottles.
A Hair Dryer is something some people miss.
If you have a particular pillow or suchlike, to ensure your restful sleep.
A bathing suit for swimming, sunbathing, sauna use, etc.
A torch for walking in the evening darkness between the main building and your cottage.
The usual array of outdoor clothing, and perhaps an umbrella, due to the unpredictability of British weather.
Walking boots or wellies for those great, but often muddy, cross-country walks.
Your own cosy pair of house slippers, and step-in shoes (as both your cottage and the communal areas are shoes-off zones).
Warm indoor clothes, as the fasting experience can leave you quite chilly.
Also track-suits (joggers and sweatshirts) are recommended for the morning meditation and afternoon Yoga to keep your muscles warm.
An alarm clock to give you choice to keep track of time and schedule, if you wish to.
If you are a note-taker, then a notebook for during the talks, or to keep a journal.
There are plenty of books and games, etc. at the venue. However you are welcome to bring along your own personal favourites for yourself or to share with others.
As above, herbal teas are provided, and you are welcome to bring your uncaffinated favourites too. A thermos is a nice addition to have warm water at your bedside.
Your own hot water bottle is a great comforting addition too.
Your own CDs and DVDs to while away the hours, and share with others.
Reading Material
For many, reading appropriate material helps to prepare the mind for the retreat.
We recommend the following books for that purpose.
The Fasting Path: The Way to Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Enlightenment by Stephen Harrod Buhner
A magnificent way to prepare your mind for a retreat of any sort, and specifically a fasting retreat. He talks in length about the mental states and physical conditions you are likely to experience, and how to get the best from it, by noting potential difficulties beforehand and adjusting your mindset to smooth your path.
Better Bowel Care by Bernard Jensen, D.C., Ph.D.,
This book explains how the underactive condition of the eliminative organs influences the development of illness and disease. In the guide, Dr Jensen outlines the basics and details of home-colonic irrigation techniques he brought to the modern world.
Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease by Joel Fuhrman
A doctor's friendly, informed, not to mention based on personal account, of fasting to regain health. A good read before or during a fast. Informed, full of medical research, includes detailed chapters on natural diet, regaining health, how and why fasting works, and specific dietary/fasting programs for overcoming chronic diseases.
Books and work, in general
By all means, bring your own books to read.
However, do bear in mind that your consciousness, and ability to concentrate, will greatly alter during your time here, so don’t expect yourself to plough through mountains of work or study.
In aid of the detox process you might wish to start asking yourself what kind of physical symptoms you have had in the past, and how did you feel emotionally when you experience them ?
These questions are important as your body may wish to complete the work it was doing at that time, so the same type of symptoms may arise.
To prepare yourself for this emotionally, you are advised to start reprogramming now: try visualising yourself celebrating the arrival of your detox symptoms.
This time the toxins are on their way out! Coming to terms with the symptoms, understanding and accepting them as the body's natural way of repairing and healing itself can make a world of difference to your experience.