Blame holiday binge eating, or maybe all that New Year’s Eve champagne. Whatever the reason, a whole lot of us are kicking off 2020 looking for renewal, wellness, and rejuvenation.

A room with a river view balcony at Pine Ridge Inn might be just the ticket for your bliss-filled Bend retreat.

Assuming you don’t have gazillions to jet off to some fancy spa in Bali, there are plenty of ways to create your very own do-it-yourself wellness retreat right here in Bend, Oregon.

Here’s how to make it happen.

Start with a comfy spot to lay your head

Booking the right spot to snooze is crucial for getting yourself into the zen zone right away.

My fellow cheapskates will know what I mean when I say minimizing my lodging costs is key to not stressing out about a vacation. Lucky for us, Bend boasts a nice array of budget-friendly lodging and Airbnbs that’ll land softly on your credit card statement. Start your search on our lodging page.

 You’ll also find a nice mix of options to suit your other needs. If services like on-site dining and a day spa or soaking tub are important, check out someplace like The Riverhouse or McMenamins Old St. Francis.

Blogger Tawna and her husband, Craig, get cozy with mimosas in the couples’ massage suite at Drift Spa.

If you want the cozy factor of a bed and breakfast, go here. You’ll also find abundant resorts, kid-friendly lodging, and even campgrounds, hostels, and RV parks by perusing our lodging page.

Book your bliss

Wringing the stress from your body to make room for more peaceful things is a cornerstone of any wellness retreat, so start by treating yourself to a bliss-inducing activity.

For some, this might be a facial, massage, pedicure, or body treatment at one of Bend’s luxurious day spas. You’ll find a wide range of options, including spots like Anjou that specialize in natural, organic products. 

Escape to another world in the soaking pool at McMenamins.

If you’re traveling with your sweetie, check out couples’ massage offerings at spots like Jinsei, Drift, or Spa W. You’ll even find super-duper budget-friendly services provided by students at Phagens Central Oregon Beauty College (seriously—a deluxe facial for $25? Yes, please!)

 If you’re not keen on strangers touching you, opt for a float experience at Easy Float. You’ll spend 75 minutes in one of their Dream Pods floating in 12-inches of water saturated with Epsom Salt. There’s no light or sound, and the water is kept at body temperature to give you the sense of having no outside stimulation. It’s a bit like tricking your body into meditating, which is a pretty cool experience.

 If none of that sounds like your cup of tea, just visit the stunning turquoise-tiled soaking pool at McMenamins. It’s filled with shimmering saline water and gorgeous artwork, with an open ceiling so you can admire the stars and enjoy snow falling softly on your shoulders. You can even buy a beer to enjoy while you soak, and the pool is open to both hotel guests and visitors.

Commune with nature

Bend is a recreation lover’s paradise, and what better way to commune with Mother Nature than to plan a Bend adventure in the great outdoors?

Bend offers a bounty of ways to commune with nature.

Scope out a list of hiking trails to find one that suits your skills and interest. You can start here to find my roundup of my favorite Bend hikes for winter.

 If two wheels are more your jam, you’ll find bountiful opportunities for mountain biking, road cycling, electric bikes, and even fat biking when you scope out our cycling page.

If skiing’s your passion, look for it at nearby Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo Ski Area.

 Prefer to defer the driving and decision-making to someone else? Book a guided outing with Wanderlust Tours, and leave everything to their talented naturalist guides. They’ll provide all the gear and knowledge, whether you’re snowshoeing or exploring Central Oregon’s lava caves.

Feed your soul

Try some unique yoga to take your soul feeding to the next level!

Wellness retreats are a chance to tend your spirit, and that might mean stepping outside your comfort zone.

Bend has plenty of yoga studios, but why not take it a step further with something unique like blacklight yoga or a hot yoga class?

Several times a year, world-renowned teacher Jon Paul Crimi offers breathwork workshops complete with gong sound healing. You can learn more here.

From meditation to reiki to kundalini, you’ll find a variety of workshops and offerings at spots like Hawthorn Healing Arts Center.

For more ideas or to find something that fits your precise schedule, start by perusing the Visit Bend event calendar.

Nourish your body

Filling your belly with wholesome, nourishing food is a great opportunity to hit reset on your overall well-being.

So much tasty goodness at Active Culture!

Check out Active Culture Café for a mouthwatering array of vegan and vegetarian cuisine, featuring menus brimming with natural and organic options. Try the Evolution Bowl (organic brown rice, organic quinoa, lentils, cucumber, red onion, cranberry, red pepper, almond slices, mint, and Slammin’ Sauce) or something more familiar-looking with their Not Your Mama’s Nachos (gluten-free tortilla chips, organic beans, melted cheese, tomatoes, onions, salsa, OG Sauce, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro). They even offer draft beverage specialties like kefir and kombucha, along with a selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and smoothies.

 Mother’s Café is another great option for those looking to eat healthy during a Bend retreat. Bonus: They boast three different locations around town. Choose between tasty morning treats like acai bowls and fresh breakfast sandwiches, or smoothies packed with nourishing fruits and other ingredients. When lunchtime rolls around, you’ll find a mouthwatering assortment of healthy sandwiches. They even offer a juice cleanse regimen if you’re into that sort of thing.

Healthy deliciousness at Bethlyn’s Global Fusion.

Dinnertime? Bethlyn’s Global Fusion features a menu packed with healthy, flavorful entrees inspired by cuisines around the world. Try treats like the warm India fried cauliflower salad with fried kale and spinach, brown rice, crunchy curried chickpeas, raisins, and Parmesan tossed in an agave sherry shallot vinaigrette and your choice of protein. They even have a full cocktail menu, plus beer and wine to make it a real night out.

For more ideas on healthy eating, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, check out our dining page.

Do Good Deeds

Want to conclude your Bend adventure feeling really, really good about leaving Bend even better than you found it?

Blogger Tawna’s kiddo, Violet, picks up trash at Suttle Lake in an effort to leave things a bit better than she found them.

Look no further than our Visit Like a Local page for inspiration.

 Maybe it’s as simple as packing a reusable water bottle on your hike instead of single-use plastic. Maybe you go a step further and pack a small trash back to pick up litter on the trails.

 Want to step it up a notch? Take The Bend Pledge to solidify your commitment to leaving Bend better than you found it. You could even win a Bend vacation!

 And if you really want to throw a dollar or two behind the folks doing the hard work of keeping Bend’s wild places protected and maintained for future generations, check out Pledge Wild to find out how a few clicks (and a few bucks) can make a big difference.