Women's health, stress management retreat goes virtual Oct. 22-25
LIBERTYVILLE - For women juggling the demands of child-rearing, working, spousal relationships and maybe an ailing, aging parent or two, stress can overwhelm - and that's before you toss into the mix a little thing like a global pandemic.
The health-care pros at North Shore Pro-Active Health plan a virtual women's retreat designed not only to help women cope, but also to thrive through this hot mess known as 2020.
The online event will begin with an evening ice breaker Thursday, Oct. 22, said Drs. Jordan Leasure and Jade Dellinger, the sister chiropractors who run North Shore Pro-Active on Lake Street in Libertyville.
Throughout the weekend, those reserving a space at a cost of $117 can avail themselves of some or all of the dozen individual workshops that are planned. Including Leasure and Dellinger, each is offered by an expert in her field. Topics include everything from meditation to nutrition, skin care, meal planning, exercise and, of course, healthy ways to manage stress.
"Our October retreat is going to have a family focus," said Leasure, who created the program. "Whether that means the kids have started e-learning and the stress that working parents are facing or the stress associated with having aging parents we are unable to visit or the stress of living alone at an especially isolating time - it all counts."
The full schedule, along with bios of presenters, is available here, where reservations also can be made.
Margie Burba of Beach Park attended North Shore's first virtual women's retreat in July, and said she'd highly recommend the experience.
"It allowed me to reset my mindset, and to know that I'm not alone," said Burba, 52, a wife and mother of three adult children. "During (the beginnings of the pandemic), having my own business, trying to get it established, my dad just turned 90 and my mom is 87. She suffered some health issues at the beginning of the year ...I'm so glad that I made the time for the retreat.
"You'll never regret doing this," she continued. "That's for sure."
Dellinger, who has expertise in pediatric and prenatal chiropractic, said she especially looks forward to giving a joint talk with Leasure on the potential effects of present-day stress on future generations.
Both Dellinger and Leasure said any woman of any age, whether single or part of a large brood, will benefit. The key is to ensure that they set aside the time and have a private, uninterrupted space where they can fully enjoy it. Some women who find it difficult to have privacy in their busy homes booked a hotel room to attend the July virtual retreat, the chiropractors said.
Investing time in oneself is something women too often overlook, they added.
"Stress suppresses the immune system. You can't perform as optimally at work. Time spent with your kids is spent worrying instead of enjoying each other's company," Dellinger said. "We will have 10 experts in their field help to guide the group toward relieving that stress ASAP."
Leasure said participants will receive a password to attend the sessions via Zoom. They can also choose to click into the Facebook simulcast, which will be available by private group invitation.
Because the retreat is online, enrollees can participate from anywhere in the world. Friends, sisters, moms and cousins are encouraged to make a plan to join each other virtually for the event. Those who miss a session will be able to replay it later on Facebook, Leasure said.
For more information, call 847-362-4476, find North Shore Pro-Active Health on Facebook or go to leasureretreat.com/Virtual.