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How to feel good, function well and flourish after fifty
Facilitator: Miriam Akhtar
Ageing gets a bad press, portrayed as being downhill all the way, a decline into decrepitude. However, the reality is much more optimistic. Contrary to expectations happiness goes up after fifty rather than down and there are other gains like wisdom. This retreat will show you how to use positive psychology to make the most of life’s third act and sow the seeds of a happy and meaningful later life.
Early Bird priced places now sold out – standard priced places still available!
If you would like to share a room with a friend, please contact Cathy to book on 01453 759 034 or email info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk
Event time: Fri 21st Jun 2024 at 4:00pm - Sun 23rd Jun 2024 at 4:00pm
- Explore your personal strengths
- Build a toolbox of happiness boosters to take with you through the year
- An introduction to Positive Psychology
- A mix of practical activities and discussion
Participants will Gain
- Explore your personal beliefs about ageing
- Discover your strengths
- Create a vision for a positive later life
- Acquire a toolkit to help you age positively
Learning How to Grow Old
Just as we need to learn how to grow up, we also need to learn how to grow old. The fear of old age is real and yet research shows that how we feel about our ageing process can have a significant influence on how we experience later life. If we develop a positive mindset, the evidence is clear that we are much more likely to be satisfied with our later life and make the most of what it has to offer us.
Positive Ageing is about the psychology of ageing well and how to nurture emotional wellbeing. It’s easy to be pessimistic with all the negativity about getting older. Ageism is rife but the internalised ageism can be even more harmful. The good news is that negative age beliefs can be resisted and reversed, leading to more positive outcomes.
Use Your Strengths
The Positive Ageing retreat will bust the myths about ageing and equip you to navigate this life stage using positive psychology to feel good and function well after fifty. You’ll discover your strengths, learn how to build your wellbeing and reflect on your meaning in life. For some people that might mean an ‘encore career’ – using your strengths in a way that gives life a fresh meaning. We’ll explore the Ten Steps of Positive Ageing from Guy Robertson’s handbook for personal change in later life. It’s never too early to start ageing positively!
Practical Information
Please take the free strengths test at www.viacharacter.org and bring your results to the retreat. Alternatively a DIY paper version is available through Hawkwood.
Hawkwood
Hawkwood is a stunning Grade II listed 19th Century country house, surrounded by 42 acres of sustainably managed woodland, farmland, and gardens. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – it is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With a diverse selection of nearly 150 courses, there’s plenty to choose from, including courses in transformative leadership, future thinking, inner life, music and the arts. Our programme of courses is led by experienced tutors and leaders in their fields.
What Is Included
Both residential and non-residential rates are available. Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches and all refreshments and exclude B&B.
Additional Activities
- Mindful walking through our woodland trails
- Meditate in our Woodland Sanctuary
- Go on a hike and explore the Cotswolds AONB
- Discover surrounding charming market towns
Testimonials
“Miriam is the best positive psychologist in Britain. She is passionate about growth and has a wonderful way of using her knowledge to inspire.”
Previous Participant
“From the outset, her calm, warm, and supportive manner put me at ease. She encouraged me to be kinder to myself, whilst giving me the tools to learn about my strengths and to develop a growth mindset. Through getting to know my strengths and applying them I began to feel more connected to myself and reconnected with others.”
Previous Participant
Price Options
£280 Earlybird Non-Residential
£340 Earlybird Residential Shared
£382 Earlybird Residential Single
£330 Non-Residential
£400 Residential Shared
£450 Residential Single
Please use the form below to register your interest in the course or event
Practical Information
Arrivals from 4pm with afternoon tea. Course starts with dinner at 6:30pm. Please bring a notebook and pen. Some elements will be taught outside so please bring suitable clothing and shoes.
Miriam Akhtar MAPP
Miriam Akhtar is a positive psychologist and expert in Positive Ageing. She has designed courses to help people build their wellbeing for the transition to later life in partnership with the Centre for Ageing Better and the Gulbenkian Foundation. Miriam also runs Menopause Mindset workshops to help women flourish after fifty. She is the author of The Little Book of Happiness, Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression and What is Post-traumatic Growth.
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Hawkwood is an educational charity providing courses, facilitating training and offering venue hire, set in a stunning location in the Cotswolds.
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