Are lifestyle holidays the new travel essential?

Why working women are swapping spa breaks for holistic life boot camps

Ever wished you had a little bit more time - just a few days here or there - to sit back, take stock, and think about what's going on in your life?

If the answer is yes, then you might just want to try one of the many new holistic boot camps springing up around the country.

Many women are abandoning their usual spa breaks in favour of something more fulfilling. No longer just about getting a spa facial or relaxing mani, it's time to sit back, revaluate and set yourself some new life goals, all in the space of one relaxing weekend away.

Lifestyle holidays are the new must-have mini breaks. A twist on the traditional girly getaway, they help you to find ways to eliminate stress from your life, focussing on giving your brain a rest, rather than just your body.

And they're not all about dramatic overhauls, either. There'll be no revelations, no public confessions and no big philosophies, just a chance to start thinking about small, practical changes that could make a real difference to your everyday life.

Weekends like Best Life Retreats run by the Grove in Hertfordshire offer you the chance to take a holistic look at your life.

Guests can attend sessions with a life coach, and are encouraged to consider the direction their lives are going in and whether or not there's anything they would like to change. The process is designed to help those with busy lives feel more relaxed, in control, and able move forward.

And women have been flocking to try it out. Guided through the weekend with a series of workshops, tasks revolve around thinking, writing and chatting, and coming up with achievable life goals. Plus there is often still room for a little pampering or treatment in the spa.

So next time you're tired, stressed and dreaming of Champneys, why not book yourself a luxury lifestyle getaway? Use your time wisely, and think your way to a happier you.