Most of us have been taught to think of mental health as something that happens in the mind.
Manage your thoughts.
Shift your mindset.
Practice gratitude.
Be more mindful.
And while all of that matters, it’s only part of the picture.
Because the truth is—your mental health doesn’t live in your thoughts alone. It lives in your body too.
In your energy levels.
In your gut.
In your sleep.
In your nervous system.
In the food you eat every day.
When your body is depleted, your mind feels it.
When your blood sugar is unstable, your emotions shift. When your gut is out of balance, your mood often follows.
And yet… most mental health conversations barely touch this connection.
This retreat is here to change that.
Nourish the Mind, Heal the Body is an opportunity to explore the connection between physical health and emotional wellbeing in a practical, approachable way. My goal isn’t to tell you what you should or shouldn’t eat, hand you a strict wellness plan, or overwhelm you with information. Instead, I want to help you better understand your body and how it influences your mood, energy, focus, stress levels, and overall mental health.
Throughout our time together, we’ll explore the relationship between food and mood, learn about the gut-brain connection, discuss key nutrients that support mental wellbeing, and take a balanced look at supplements and their role in supporting health. We’ll also talk about movement, sleep, hydration, and other daily habits that have a significant impact on how we feel.
Most importantly, we’ll focus on realistic and sustainable changes. This retreat isn’t about perfection. It’s about becoming more aware of the ways you can support yourself and making choices that feel manageable within your real life.
Like my previous retreats, this experience will combine education, reflection, discussion, and practical tools. You’ll have opportunities to learn, ask questions, connect with others, and spend time reflecting on what wellbeing looks like for you.
My hope is that you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the connection between your body and your mind, along with simple strategies that help you feel more energized, more resilient, and more equipped to care for yourself in a way that supports both your physical and emotional health.
Because when we begin to care for our bodies in meaningful ways, we often discover that our minds benefit too.
Core Themes
- Food & Mood Connection
○ How blood sugar, processed foods, and nutrient deficiencies impact anxiety, depression, and energy
○ The role of whole foods in stabilizing mood and improving clarity - Gut-Brain Axis
○ Understanding the link between gut health and emotional regulation
○ Introduction to probiotics, fiber, and digestive health - Key Nutrients for Mental Health
○ Focus on essential vitamins and minerals (e.g., magnesium, omega-3s, vitamin D, B-complex)
○ Signs of deficiencies and how to address them - Supplements: Support, Not Substitutes
○ Evidence-based overview of commonly recommended supplements
○ Safe and mindful integration into daily routines - Movement & Mental Wellness
○ How physical activity supports mood, stress reduction, and resilience
○ Gentle, inclusive approaches to movement - Mindful Living Practices
○ Sleep hygiene, hydration, and stress management
○ Building daily habits that support long-term wellbeing
Who is this for?
This retreat is for you if you’ve been feeling off and can’t quite explain why. If your energy feels inconsistent. If your mood feels harder to regulate than it used to. If you’ve been doing “all the right things” mentally, but still don’t feel well in your body. It’s for you if you’re curious—not just about mental health, but about what actually supports it. And it’s for you if you’re ready for something more grounded than quick fixes and more sustainable than extremes.
What is the focus?
The retreat focuses on the connection between physical health and mental wellbeing, exploring how nutrition, gut health, movement, sleep, and daily habits directly influence mood, energy, and emotional resilience. It combines science-based education with practical tools to help participants better understand their bodies and support their mental health from the inside out. The goal is to move beyond mindset alone and build sustainable, embodied approaches to feeling better in everyday life.
Are there any practices or resources participants should be familiar with?
No specific practices are required in advance, though participants should be open to exploring somatic awareness, journaling, group reflection, and gentle movement. All practices will be guided and accessible, with invitations to adapt or rest as needed.
Are you drawing from any specific traditions?
This retreat draws from trauma-informed somatic work, mindfulness, nature-based reflection, and seasonal wellness practices inspired by both ancient wisdom and modern mental health frameworks. While not affiliated with a specific spiritual path, it honors the rhythms of nature and the innate intelligence of the body and heart.
Is previous experience necessary?
No prior experience is required. Whether you are new to retreats or a seasoned practitioner, all are welcome. The retreat is designed to meet you where you are.
How will this retreat balance social interaction and solitude?
Our time together will be spaciously paced, offering a balance of shared practice and private integration. Group gatherings will offer connection and supportive community, while ample personal time will allow for solitude, rest, and reflection.
How will this retreat interact with the GilChrist facility?
GilChrist offers a deeply supportive, contemplative environment — each participant is welcome to utilize a cabin, providing a sanctuary for solitude, stillness, and integration. The surrounding trails, meditation spaces, and natural beauty are integral to the experience, inviting a deepening of your connection to the land and to your own inner rhythms.
About the Facilitator
As a licensed mental health therapist with expertise in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrative healing practices, my approach is centered on supporting individuals in achieving mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I blend evidence-based therapeutic techniques with holistic modalities to help you create lasting change, heal from past experiences, and cultivate a greater sense of inner balance.
With a background in over 7 years of practice, I work with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and life transitions. I use CBT to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and develop practical solutions for overcoming life’s challenges. In addition, I incorporate holistic methods such as mindfulness, energy healing, meditation, and aromatherapy to address the root causes of emotional distress and promote deep healing on all levels—body, mind, and spirit.
I believe that true healing requires a holistic approach that honors the connection between the mind, emotions, and body. By combining the best of modern psychology with ancient healing traditions, I empower clients to find clarity, improve self-awareness, and develop a deeper connection to their inner wisdom.
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, heal from trauma, manage difficult emotions, or simply feel more balance, I offer personalized therapy and coaching sessions designed to support your journey to optimal well-being.
Retreat Schedule
- Dates: August 22-23, 2026
- Location: GilChrist Retreat Center, Three Rivers, MI
- Cost: Secure your spot at the rate of $425. Pricing increases to $475 once registration closes August 8.
- Costs include: A full immersive retreat experience, all programming materials, and most meals. This is offering a reset that impacts how you think, care for yourself, and move through your life.
- Lodging is charged separately (pay-what-you-can, suggested $75/person per night), payable to GilChrist at the end of the retreat.
Registration and Lodging Details
Space is intentionally limited to preserve the intimate and restorative nature of the retreat. Registration for the retreat program is $425, increasing to $475 once registration closes on August 8.
To register, first reach out to Jazmin via email (click here), or by phone at 269-218-0013. Once you have registered and paid for the program with Jazmin, contact GilChrist to reserve your cabin using the online registration form (or by calling the main office at 269-244-1130 with any questions). Lodging is a suggested $75/night per person in addition to the program fee, payable to GilChrist at the end of the retreat. More details regarding cabin logistics will be provided via email upon registration. See the complete GilChrist FAQs for more information about the facility.
We believe deeply in making this work accessible. If the cost is a barrier for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. A limited number of scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis to support financial accessibility. We’re happy to explore what’s possible together. Click here for more information and to apply to the Retreat Equity Fund.
Join us, and step into a space where you can feel rooted, held, and renewed.
