What to Pack and What to Expect in the First Two Days
The first days of a retreat are often harder than people expect. A light bag and realistic expectations help.
Pack less
- Comfortable layers for practice; mornings are cool almost everywhere.
- Your own mat only if you are attached to it. Most places provide them.
- A notebook and a paper book.
- Any medication, in its packaging.
The first two days
Travel fatigue, a new routine and less stimulation than usual can leave you restless or flat. It passes. By the third day most people settle.
Phones
Many retreats ask you to limit screen use, sometimes called a digital detox. Tell family how to reach the venue in an emergency, then put the phone away.
Insurance
Travel insurance that covers the activities on the programme is worth having. Read what it excludes.
Go gently
You do not have to attend everything. Skipping a session to rest is a legitimate use of a retreat.
Reviewed 2026-10-14