Why a Wellness Safari is the Perfect Burnout Recovery Choice

Burnout is an increasingly common phenomenon among working professionals, entrepreneurs and athletes. The increase in burnout has led to action by the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizing burnout as an “occupational phenomenon” that can influence health status. Indeed, to assume that burnout is merely an emotional response to the long hours or a challenging job is misguided. Rather, mounting scientific evidence shows that burnout takes a profound physical toll that cascades well beyond our professional lives. 

Aside from the obvious short-term impacts of burnout, there are significant long-term impacts on our health and longevity. Gone untreated, the effects of burnout can overwhelm cognitive skills and neuroendocrine systems and eventually lead to distinctive changes in the anatomy and functioning of the brain. Research found that chronic burnout without intervention prematurely ages the brain and contributes to memory, attentional, and emotional difficulties. 

Whether it's physical or emotional burnout, whether it's from chronic stress or sustained demanding performance requirements, recovery is critical to regain our energy, drive, well-being, and eventual performance.

Common signs of burnout include:

• Irritability and/or low mood
• Mental exhaustion
• Difficulty sleeping or resting even when tired
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Being emotionally labile or quick to anger
• Apathy
• Decreased productivity
• Physical symptoms (i.e., headaches, high blood pressure)
• Low motivation
• Self-doubt
• Low self-esteem

Source: Choosingtherapy.com

I personally started to experience some of the above symptoms after resisting my inevitable burnout at a time when my technology startup was facing financial challenges, shareholder pressure and mounting internal uncertainty. I started to wake up with severe headaches every day, my digestion became problematic from the anti-inflammatories, and on top of that, I was self-medicating before bed to stop the incessant stream of anxious thoughts. 

What recovery from burnout requires

Like all solutions in life, we can look for hacks or shortcuts and thereafter experience the same problems, or we can deal with it properly and go all in on a sustainable solution. With burnout recovery, there are very simply no short-term hacks, in fact, research shows it takes a minimum of 3 months to recover from burnout and for some people up to a year. 

Unfortunately, many people still see burnout as a temporary state of heightened workload and a necessary requirement to achieve greatness. However, burnout is a matter beyond simply the mind. The body and mind are one entity and when the body talks, we need to listen. Too many of us ignore the messages our bodies give us, and it’s not our fault - we are taught to view our productivity and work deadlines as more important than our state of health and long-term longevity. 

So when it comes time to deal with our burnout, quite frankly we often are left with no choice but to fully immerse ourselves in recovery and emphasize our personal well-being before the physical impact intensifies in severity.

Why an extended safari is the ultimate burnout recovery option

• Nature/Eco-therapy: It is well-researched that spending time in nature has immensely positive impacts on our mental and physical health. On Safari you are in the epicenter of the natural world. In addition to the sweeping ancient landscapes of the savannah, exposure to wild animals on a daily basis has an ironic calming effect on human beings. The novelty of the safari experience acts as a powerful rejuvenating force, along with the immense tranquility of the region. 
• The healing qualities of safari: Otherwise referred to as 'Wilderness Therapy', in South Africa it is customary to make an annual trip to ‘the bush’ as we call it. "Going to the bush" is a well-known local medicine amongst many entrepreneurs and executives for burnout treatment and prevention. The healing conditions of the safari experience are backed by science; cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure all decrease when spending time in nature. The visual element of wide open spaces on the brain, the consistent sounds of wildlife, and the quality of the air - all have a positive neurological impact on our bodies. Witnessing the delicate balance of the African savannah’s ecosystem reminds us of the importance of balance in our lives and how crucial it is for our survival.
• The blend of luxury and adventure: Anyone who has been on a luxury safari will have raved about the quality of lodging, food, and service. When recovering from burnout, having your needs met comfortably can have a huge impact on the amount of time it requires to regain your energy, when you have more of it to focus on your recovery. Adventure is also a key part of the burnout recovery process, rekindling the spark that may have been dimmed inside. Whether it be a walking safari, a nearby hike, or a night under the stars - the safari experience is bound to infuse you with a new-found zest for life. 
• African hospitality is unrivalled: People often comment to me that the warmth and generosity they receive from people in Africa is unlike anywhere else. This is a place where tipping culture isn't a sure expectation like in the US (although it is appreciated) - and you can feel that people are genuinely kind and willing to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Booking your extended safari with Africovery who takes care of all the details of your stay from A-Z also relieves a lot of the planning stressors, and provides you with an ongoing personalized local concierge service throughout your trip. 
• Opportunity to develop a healthy wellness-focused routine: Many people experience dips in their health and wellness through the process of burning out. Life on safari is a perfect opportunity to easily develop healthy habits where your environment is tailored to this lifestyle. From healthy and nutritious food, air quality, yoga, meditation, and other therapeutic activities on offer - the wellness safari experience will kickstart your recovery in a highly impactful way. In addition, safari is a great time to reset your circadian rhythm - waking up and going to sleep alongside Earth's natural cycle. In addition to high-quality sleep, on safari our nervous system, which has taken a massive toll from the demands of modern work life, has an opportunity to reset, not being in constant alert mode (we also offer breathwork sessions to prompt this healing even more).
• Time away from technology: Whether it's scrolling on social media or consuming the news, many of us mindlessly pick up our phones the second we have a moment to spare. It feels harmless, but in actuality, this habit contributes to burnout. Rather than giving our minds the break it needs, we’re continuing to overload it with information, images, and content without any processing time. On an Africovery safari, we support travellers’ need for a digital detox by providing the option to uphold a period of each day/s where guests lock up their phones. This allows for the brain to reset and in turn, a deeper presence and peace of mind is possible.

Lastly, being outside your home country provides for a more immersive, and therefore more successful recovery experience. If you are nearby it may be hard to decline social invitations, however when people know you are traveling out the country, they tend to leave you alone. I often encourage guests to disconnect from technology and their phones (certainly the news) as much as possible during their trip to really maximize the opportunity.

Africovery's Burnout Safari Offering

• Luxury safari lodges can cost upwards of $1500 per night (excluding wellness costs) and thus can be costly for extended stays. This is why we have taken the time to curate a network of exclusive accommodation partners perfectly suited for extended safaris. We have a vetted network of local wellness practitioners, therapists, and coaches to help guide your recovery/wellness journey. Not to mention curated activities providers to keep you entertained during your stay, ranging from adventure to conservation and more. 
• You will find an Africovery journal in your welcome gift pack which is a perfect tool which anyone can use to guide themselves through the recovery experience.
• We are also able to arrange volunteering opportunities in local communities and with wildlife conservation to include ‘giving back’ as part of your trip. 

About the location - Hoedspruit is an affluent town often referred to as the ‘Safari capital of South Africa’ being surrounded by some of the best private game reserves in the world. More than 50% of occupants are foreigners who got the safari bug and ended up building homes on private wildlife reserves. It is a 40-minute drive to the famous Kruger National Park, and 20 minutes away from various private reserves adjacent to the park.