At Arella, we believe wellness isn’t about extremes or perfection; it’s about creating sustainable rituals that support women through every stage of life.
Sometimes that means the supplements we take daily, and other times it means stepping away from the noise entirely.
As part of our new partnership with Zest Life Retreats, Arella founder Laura Capewell sat down with Laura Bell to talk about why retreats are becoming an essential part of modern wellbeing.
The Growing Need To Slow Down
Laura Capewell:
There’s definitely been a shift in how women are approaching wellness recently.
More women seem to be prioritising experiences that genuinely help them reset rather than quick fixes.
Why do you think retreats resonate so deeply right now?
Laura Bell:
I think women are exhausted, honestly. So many of us are constantly “on” - working, parenting, caring for others, managing households, carrying the emotional load for everyone around us.
Even when we stop physically, we rarely switch off mentally.
What I see on retreats is women arriving carrying so much tension without even realising it.
Then, after a day or two in nature, moving their bodies, eating nourishing food, sleeping properly and simply not having to think about anyone else for a while, something shifts.
Their shoulders drop. They breathe differently. They reconnect with themselves again.
That’s why retreats matter. They give women permission to pause.
Laura Capewell:
And I think that’s something many women struggle with - allowing themselves that time.
Laura Bell:
Absolutely. Women are very good at putting themselves last. We normalise burnout and wear being busy almost like a badge of honour.
But rest isn’t indulgent. It’s essential.
You can’t continuously give to everyone else without restoring yourself somewhere along the way. Retreats create space for that restoration in a very intentional way.
How Health Challenges Can Change Your Relationship With Wellness
Laura Capewell:
I think when you’ve experienced health challenges yourself, your relationship with wellness becomes very different.
It stops being about aesthetics or trends and becomes much more about resilience and how you actually feel day to day.
Laura Bell:
Completely. Breaking my back at 18 changed my perspective on wellbeing very early in life.
Recovery forced me to slow down and reconnect with my body in a way most people probably don’t think about when they’re young.
It made me realise how closely linked physical and emotional wellbeing are, and ultimately shaped the foundations of Zest Life Retreats.
I wanted to create experiences that genuinely help people feel restored, not just physically, but mentally too.
Laura Capewell:
I can relate to that so much. My own health journey - from living with Crohn’s disease to experiencing early menopause following surgery - completely changed how I approached wellness as well.
It’s a huge part of why I created Arella. I wanted to support women in a way that felt realistic, nurturing and genuinely helpful rather than overwhelming.
Laura Bell:
And I think that’s why both of our brands connect so naturally. Neither comes from a place of perfection.
They come from understanding how important it is to properly support yourself - especially as women, when we spend so much of our lives looking after everyone else first.
Creating Wellness That Feels Supportive Rather Than Pressured
Laura Capewell:
One thing I love about Zest Life is that your retreats feel approachable and grounded. They don’t feel intimidating or overly “wellness”.
Laura Bell:
That’s always been really important to me. I never wanted Zest Life to feel extreme or exclusive. Wellness should feel supportive, not pressured.
Our retreats are about simple but powerful things - movement, nature, good food, connection, rest.
There’s no expectation to be the fittest person in the room or to have experience with yoga.
Many women come alone and leave feeling lighter, calmer and more like themselves again.
Why UK Wellness Retreats Are Becoming More Popular
Laura Capewell:
And there’s also something really appealing about the fact that many of your retreats are UK-based.
Wellness doesn’t always have to involve a long-haul flight or complicated travel plans.
Laura Bell:
Exactly. There’s something deeply restorative about keeping things simple.
You don’t need airport queues, travel stress or a packed itinerary to reset your nervous system.
Some of the most beautiful experiences can happen much closer to home - whether that’s wild swimming in Wales, walking in the Lake District or simply being somewhere surrounded by nature and fresh air.
I think UK retreats have become especially important because they feel accessible.
Women can step away for a few days without the overwhelm that often comes with international travel.
Supporting Wellness In Everyday Life
Laura Capewell:
I loved seeing Arella Collagen and Arella Pause become part of that experience on your recent retreats as well.
It felt like such a natural fit alongside the whole idea of nourishing yourself properly whilst taking time out.
Laura Bell:
The supplements honestly worked perfectly on retreat. We shared the sachets with guests at breakfast, and everyone found their own way of incorporating them into their routine.
Some added them to yoghurt, some mixed them into smoothies, and others simply took them straight from the sachet before heading out for the day.
That’s what I loved about Arella. The sachets are convenient, easy to travel with, and fit seamlessly into a wellness routine without feeling complicated or high-maintenance.
I think that’s really important for women. Wellness needs to feel achievable in real life, whether you’re on retreat or rushing between work, family and everyday commitments at home.
Laura Capewell:
That aligns so naturally with our philosophy at Arella, too - supporting wellness in a realistic and sustainable way. Wellness from within, but also wellness through how we live.
Laura Bell:
Exactly. It’s the small, consistent things that make the biggest difference over time.
A retreat isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about reconnecting with yourself so you can return to your life feeling stronger, calmer and more resourced.
Laura Capewell:
And I suppose that’s why the partnership between Arella and Zest Life feels so natural.
We’re both encouraging women to support themselves in a more intentional way.
Laura Bell:
Definitely. There’s a real connection between nourishment, movement, rest and emotional wellbeing.
That’s why partnerships like this make so much sense because they support wellness from multiple angles, both on retreat and in everyday life.
Discover More About Arella and Zest Life Retreats
From everyday wellness rituals at home to restorative retreat experiences, both Arella and Zest Life Retreats are focused on helping women support themselves in more intentional and sustainable ways.
Zest Life Retreats offers retreats across the UK, including the Lake District, Yorkshire, and Anglesey, with international retreats launching in Ibiza, Norway, Finland, and Sweden in 2027.
Explore our range of vegan-friendly supplements, including Arella Collagen and Arella Pause, or browse our wellness accessories to help you build moments of mindfulness into your day.
