Regenerative RX Retreat Reveals the Power of Sustainable Wellness
By incorporating diverse holistic approaches, Take MAR’s 2023 Retreat demonstrates how immersion in nature and utilizing regenerative tools provide the critical link to enhancing overall well-being.
Written by Isabela Silva, Take MAR Environmental Research Specialist
Program Curated by Dr. Joseph Dituri, Ph.D., DMT, CDR; Dr. Michelle Ellena, Executive Director, Ed.D., Take MAR; Tara Hubbard, Co-Director, Take MAR; and Dr. Juan Valdivia-Valdivia, M.D., Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
The Underlying Setback
Widespread mental health challenges affect not only individuals but also create significant obstacles for families, workplaces, and society at large. These issues can impose a disproportionate mental and physical strain, which unfortunately can result in limiting personal growth and eroding self-worth (1).
In 2019, over 301 million people globally were affected by anxiety disorders (2). Additionally, 280 million people worldwide experienced depression (3). Not only is the persistence of mental health disorders increasing, but they also account for one of the leading causes of disabilities universally, further emphasizing the current crisis of the mental health epidemic (1).
Despite the availability of various treatment options, only a small fraction of those affected by these conditions receive the necessary support they need. The shortfall in getting the necessary care can be attributed to a variety of factors, including financial limitations, geographic constraints, cultural barriers, social stigma, lack of awareness, and scarcity of qualified healthcare providers (2)— many of which are often beyond individual control.
Given the ongoing adversities, what if there was another way to address the mental health crisis? What if solutions to mental well-being have been around for centuries, waiting to be rediscovered through the practice of ancient teachings? As we turn our focus to progress, the future of healthcare is shifting towards integrative approaches that focus on the individual root cause—mental, spiritual, and physical.
A Complementary Path
Mind-body Therapies
Examples: Meditation, prayer, biofeedback, yoga, tai chi, cryotherapy, forest therapy, landscape imagery, and creative outlets such as art, music, and dance
Biologically based practices
Examples: Vitamins, botanicals, consuming wholefoods, and other natural supplements
Manipulative and body-based approaches
Examples: Massage, reflexology, chiropractic therapy, and cupping
Energy healing
Examples: Reiki, touch therapy, sound healing, and bioelectromagnetic-based interventions
Alternative whole medical systems
Examples: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and homeopathy
Although many of these modalities have been extensively studied for their therapeutic benefits, much remains to be understood regarding CAM's effectiveness in supporting comprehensive treatment (6). Take More Action for Regeneration (Take MAR) aims to bridge this critical research gap by offering an immersive program designed to yield tangible restorative results, providing a methodology to address mental health symptoms that are common in the general public.
A Proposition
Prior to Take MAR curating the program, the organization set clear intentions for its overarching goal: to bring positive change to our community. Through the Regenerate Rx initiative (RRX), members aimed to ‘prescribe’ multi-modal CAM approaches within an extended stay retreat, set in the healing embrace of nature. The goal was to explore the complex and multifaceted impact of these therapies, posing the question:
What is the effect of the RRX Retreat Program, through multi-modal CAM therapies, on anxiety and depression symptoms in participants?
With the potential to alleviate mental health challenges, the RRX Retreat Program aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of holistic, nature-based modalities in addressing wellness concerns. The immediate goals of the program are to: (1) deliver tailored therapeutic experiences, (2) optimize CAM services that directly benefit participants, such as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and (3) contribute to the body of literature supporting holistic health practices.
The Blueprint: methodology
Planning event logistics can feel like a monumental task, but we were fortunate enough to have the perfect backdrop for the RRX Retreat. The event was held at the stunning Wonderfield estate, a 66-acre sanctuary in Floral City, Florida, home to a regenerative farm, retreat center, and nature preserve (9). With such an inspiring location, the next step was bringing together a diverse team of specialists to create a multi-modal, immersive experience.
The retreat embraced a wide range of CAM approaches, all set within the calming presence of a forested sanctuary. The modalities included a rich variety of practices, including:
(1) Mind-Body Therapies - Nature therapy, journaling, yoga, breathwork, meditation, movement therapy, and music.
(2) Manipulative and body-based approaches - Massage, bodywork, cold therapy
(3) Biologically based practices - Vegan whole food meals
(4) Energy healing - Sound therapy
Together, these 12 carefully selected approaches were intentionally designed to provide a dynamic, rejuvenating experience for all participants. In addition to these practices, participants were provided with ample free time to read, journal, nap, and engage in relaxation activities as they saw fit.
With the logistics and modalities in place, we extended inclusive invitations to individuals, ensuring equal opportunity for all. A total of thirteen participants, all female, ranging in age from 23 to 69, accepted the invitation to attend the retreat. The event took place from Friday to Sunday, November 3rd–5th, 2023, spanning 3 days and 2 nights. While most participants were local to Florida, others traveled from across the U.S. and even internationally to join us!
To evaluate the retreat's clinical impact, the Take MAR team employed a structured methodology to assess anxiety and depression symptom severity using qualitative methods. All 13 participants voluntarily completed confidential pre- and post-retreat questionnaires during check-in and check-out. These included two widely recognized clinical tools: the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) (10) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (11). These established scoring tools allowed for standardized measurement of the participants' mental health outcomes, offering a clear picture of symptom changes throughout the retreat.
Figure 1. RRX 2023 Event Schedule from November 3rd-5th.
healing in numbers: Key Findings
Figure 2. HAM-A and BDI-II results at check-in on November 3rd.
Figure 3. HAMA-A and BDI-II Results at check in on November 5th.
Figure 4. Quantitative Difference in Anxiety (HAM-A) and Depression (BDI-II) Scores: Pre vs. Post Event
LET’S DISCUSS
Imagine a world where mental health is nurtured—where wellness is more than just a buzzword. At the 2023 RRx Retreat, we saw this vision come to life.
This retreat revealed the powerful impact of holistic services on personal well-being, demonstrating substantial reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms. The results were clear, and the program truly brought individuals together in transformative ways, showcasing the impressive success rate of merging these synergetic CAM techniques to foster positive change.
While all research is susceptible to sample bias, the variety of holistic and natural interventions available at the retreat allowed individuals to explore different approaches and find what path worked best for them.
The growing body of research, combined with data from our program, underscores the critical importance of this nuanced subject matter. CAM techniques are more than simple self-care routines, and immersion in nature shouldn’t be an occasional experience. Personalizing these functional strategies can have a profound impact, going beyond our current understanding of their benefits and supporting a consistent, daily practice of well-being.
Implementing tailored, multi-modal approaches is essential for our collective journey toward healthier lives, focused on healing the whole person and creating space for reflection, connection, and recalibration. This approach can help shift the mainstream perspective on health, providing a foundation for stronger, more resilient communities that function as interconnected, self-sustaining ecosystems.
Figure 5. Image visuals from the 2023 RRX retreat. (A) Cold therapy, (B) Whole foods dinner, (C) Nature therapy, (D) Movement therapy/ Ecstatic dance, (E) Yoga, (F) Camping site, (G) Prompt for nature therapy
TURNING REFLECTION INTO ACTIONABLE VISION
With the majority of the global world living in urbanized areas (12), it is easy to understand how one can become disconnected from nature. The fast-paced, high-stress nature of modern life can result in an atmosphere that feels unsustainable.
Looking forward, the next step in enhancing the RRx Retreat is to ensure a more personalized approach, offering the tools necessary for each individual’s success. By reaching a more inclusive population, we will not only better understand the effectiveness of our program, but also expand our impact to diverse communities, backgrounds, and professions.
Looking ahead, our hope and goal is to raise awareness of CAM’s benefits, advance integrative health practices as a new medical standard, and enhance access to wellness by promoting their application across broader systems (6,13)
If you're interested in learning more about the research, stay tuned for an upcoming article or feel free to reach out to us directly! We are very excited to bring more RRX retreats to the public—continuing our journey of advancing the balance of innovation, nature, community, and meaningful wellness.
Author’s note: Hey readers! Please remember, health is deeply personal. While CAM can be an effective part of a treatment strategy, it is not a replacement for more serious medical conditions. Observe, listen to your body, and consult a trusted licensed professional when needed. Keep shining your light! Wishing everyone greatness on their wellness journey!
REFERENCES
1. World Health Organization. Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. 2017. Available from:
https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/254610/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf;jsessionid=4B672D0458365F230681F71AC98199AD?sequence=1
2. World Health Organization. Anxiety disorders. 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders
3. World Health Organization. Depressive disorder (depression). 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name?. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name
5. Cleveland Clinic. Complementary Medicine: What Is It, Types & Health Benefits. 2021. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16883-complementary-therapy
6. Debas HT, Laxminarayan R, Straus SE. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In: Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, Alleyne G, Claeson M, Evans DB, et al., editors. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries [Internet]. 2nd ed. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11796/
7. Food and Drug Administration. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and their Regulation. FDA; 2006. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-products-and-their-regulation-food-and-drug-administration
8. National Cancer Institute. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). 2024. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam
9. Wonderfield Farm. Available from: https://wonderfieldfarm.com/
10. Hamilton M. The Assessment of Anxiety States by Rating. British Journal of Medical Psychology. 1959;32(1):50–5.
11. Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown G. Beck Depression Inventory–II. 2011. Available from: https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/t00742-000
12. United Nations. "68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050". Available from: https://www.un.org/uk/desa/68-world-population-projected-live-urban-areas-2050-says-un
13. Racz A, Rukavina T, Vasiljev V, Armano A, Armano L. Integration of complementary and alternative medicine into the healthcare and educational system: Perspectives of healthcare professionals and oncology patients ;8(2):1070–85.
