Perimenopause had barely entered mainstream conversation when I reached my mid-forties. My crying at absolutely anything was labelled depression. The aching joints? Too much exercise. The extra layer of belly fat? Not the right kind of exercise. Hair loss was stress. Palpitations were anxiety. Forgetfulness was overwhelm.
Fast forward a few years and, as Senior Wellness Tester at GHI, what I don't know about menopause probably isn't worth knowing. Yet somehow, despite the endless information now available, it can all feel more confusing than ever. Do I need magnesium? Ashwagandha? Pilates? T'ai chi? More protein? Less alcohol? More people? More solitude? The wellness world becomes a noisy place when your brain is already foggy.
So when I heard about the new GAIA MenoPAUSE Break at Boringdon Hall, it didn't so much as call to me as scream my name. A carefully designed wellness retreat aimed specifically at women navigating menopause and perimenopause, it promises the chance to slow down, rebalance and reset.
Good food, spa treatments and a bed entirely to myself for two nights? What more could a menopausal woman want?
Plymouth isn't exactly local for me, but armed with a good book and an oversized coffee, the train journey from London became part of the break. In fact it helped me decompress so much that somewhere between Reading and Exeter, my shoulders visibly relaxed an inch or two.
Arriving at Boringdon Hall feels a little like stepping into another century. The five-star manor house nestles within beautiful grounds on the edge of Dartmoor, all stone archways, velvet sofas and portraits of those who’ve walked the halls before me (whether they were also menopausal remains unknown). There's an immediate sense of calm from the moment you pass through the gargantuan wooden doors.
The hotel boasts two restaurants, beautifully designed bedrooms, a gym and, of course, the GAIA Spa, which has become something of a destination in its own right.
My room overlooked the wildflower meadow, buzzing with bees lazily drifting between blooms. It felt impossibly peaceful. No notifications. No laundry pile. No emails. Just me.
Hypnos was the God of Sleep and also the name of the suite I was staying in, so I hoped it was a well-timed omen. This was not just a room but my own divine sanctuary for 48 blissful hours. Boasting a luxurious bathroom with rain shower, bath and a range of GAIA products to slather myself in, a private lounge, outdoor spa area and, enough to bring a tear to my eye, a super king-sized bed - all designed to promote rejuvenation and wellbeing. I could already feel the stress melting away.
Boringdon Hall is also home to Michelin-starred restaurant Àclèaf, and dinner there became one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. Despite the accolades, the atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed. The staff struck a perfect balance between attentive and informal, making it feel luxurious without ever becoming intimidating. I thought sitting alone would feel odd but somewhere just before dessert I realised something unusual had happened: I had eaten slowly. Really slowly. Not while answering emails or mentally planning the family to-do list. Just sitting, tasting and enjoying.
Despite the wonderful meal, I couldn't wait to get back to my room, run a bath, try the products and climb into my enormous bed. Boringdon Hall has collaborated with Panda London and, as if my experience couldn't get any better, I slipped beneath Panda's award-winning bamboo bedding and with nocturnal overheating avoided (and without my beloved's snoring to serenade me) I slept so deeply I missed my breakfast reservation entirely.
Normally, I wake at 5am mentally running through my to-do list or catastrophising about entirely ridiculous situations, so getting a full eight hours felt almost miraculous.
Late breakfast enjoyed, energy restored, I headed out for a hike before dropping into a Pilates class and eventually making my way to the spa, albeit a little later than planned. And honestly? I didn't mind one bit. That is the real magic of the GAIA MenoPAUSE Break. Nothing revolutionary or dramatic. No promise to ‘fix’ you. Instead, it offered a pause. The chance to (finally given the heatwaves we’ve been having) rest.
A 90-minute head-to-toe treatment is included in the package (as is a goody bag including a full-size jar of Ancient and Brave True Biome and Ancient and Brave Wild Collagen plus a Panda London bamboo sleep mask), and what a rare treat it is to simply lie there, with nowhere to be and nothing to do except relax.
As I watched the Boringdon bees busily visiting each flower on my final morning, gathering honey that would likely appear on another guest's breakfast table later that week, I felt something I hadn't experienced in quite a while. Not cured. Not transformed. Just calmer, clearer and slightly more like myself again. And sometimes, during this stage of life, that feels like everything.
