Wellness retreats might be ‘manipulating people’: Expert

Amid the rising hype and demand for "wellness retreats" and "personal development reclusion camps," a renowned psychiatrist has warned that some of these programs are made with the sole intention of misleading people for financial gains and offer no scientifically valid information.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions feeling exhausted from the quarantine stress and lengthy hours of remote work, the demand for wellness activities has boomed significantly during the past few years.

Through a focus on physical and emotional well-being, some of these retreats claim to minimize stress through programs tailored to people's needs, immersing them in a personalized experience that includes spa services, meditation and fitness.

On the other hand, some organizations offer exorbitant prices to the customers they attract on social media for "spiritual events" that offer practices without any scientific basis.

For example, a one-day "spiritual event" can cost up to a whopping 1,750 Turkish Liras, while the content of this event consists of meditation in a natural environment for a few hours and the preparation of an "intention bundle" and burying it in the ground with the purpose of "sending one's wishes to the universe."

Another camp, in tourism hotspot Fethiye, offers various options such as personal or couples retreats, spiritual programs, mindfulness activities and "digital detox" retreats.

In addition, the camp also offers facilities such as a volleyball court, football field, massage area, hiking trails and organic fruit and vegetable gardens.

The price of these retreats varies according to the length of the stay and the type of program, sometimes reaching up to 11,000 liras for a four-night stay, with some...