Increase your stamina, improve your mental health, and ease chronic pain with our research-driven program.
Most people feel better within a few days or weeks after getting infected with the COVID virus. However, some individuals continue to have health problems for weeks or months after falling sick. This condition is called long COVID. It can also be referred to as long-haul COVID, chronic COVID, and post-acute COVID.
Long COVID appears to be more frequent in those who suffered severe symptoms after their infection. However, it can affect anyone who has been infected by the COVID-19 virus, even if they only experienced mild symptoms, or were asymptomatic.
The most common symptoms of long COVID include fatigue, fever, brain fog, malaise, and respiratory problems like shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.
Additional symptoms include headache, sleep issues, dizziness, changes in smell and taste, depression, anxiety, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, heart palpitations, joint/muscle pain, pins and needles, rashes, and menstrual cycle irregularities.
New Life Portugal is a wellness retreat and mindfulness centre located in the Serra da Estrela natural park. We offer holistic, integrative programs based on a range of therapeutic modalities. Our gently structured daily schedule includes yoga, meditation, bodywork, educational and experiential workshops, and one-on-one sessions with our team of skilled practitioners.
Mindfulness is a core part of all our program activities and community life. There is extensive evidence that mindfulness can help improve mental health, relieve stress, depression, and anxiety, and reduce chronic pain – many of the symptoms experienced by long COVID sufferers.
If you’re suffering from long COVID, our Resilience Path can help you manage your condition with a combination of daily mindfulness practice, one-on-one counselling to support your recovery, and group activities like yoga, meditation, and mindful movement for restoring mental and physical vitality.
You’ll also have the healing benefits of being immersed in nature on our stunning mountainside property, balanced whole meals with plenty of mood-boosting foods, and the opportunity to join outdoor excursions and cultural activities in the surrounding area.
Our excellent facilities include modern ensuite rooms, meditation hall, heated pool, sauna, gym, lounge, and library. Additionally, we offer a rejuvenating Wellness Menu so that you can benefit from one-on-one sessions with our expert coaches, instructors, and massage therapists.
we’ve helped more than 4000 people heal in a safe space.
Now, in the mountains and valleys of the Serra da Estrela, we offer a unique approach to mental health and wellbeing that combines mindfulness-based community living and research-driven counselling.
I am forever grateful for my experience at New Life Portugal. The staff, the lodging, the food helped to transform my life from one of anxiety and sadness to calmness and joy. I truly found my happiness again at New Life! The nature surrounding the campus allows the mind to rest. I also looked forward to every meal, every day of my month-long stay. It was an experience I will never forget.
John
Further personalise your stay with custom options from our Wellness Menu, such as small group wellness sessions, massage therapy, or cultural excursions.
Get a bird’s eye view of our charming quintas, stunning meditation hall, modern facilities, and the surrounding UNESCO geopark.
What makes New Life special? Learn about our carefully designed programs, friendly community, breathtaking location, and more.
Feeling lost and disconnected, Milan knew something had to change. Watch to see what he discovered about himself in our Resilience Path.
Feel like indulging in a massage? Want to make the most of your time with us by adding extra sessions? Our custom options are ideal if there are any special areas you’d like to focus on, or if you’d like to fit more activities into your wellness retreat with us. Please enquire about cost and availability.
A range of Small Group Yoga, Mindful Fitness, Breathwork and Mindfulness Sessions
In a private session with our experienced meditation teacher, you’ll have one-on-one time to ask questions or receive guidance on how to improve your practice. You can also choose a specific exercise to work on, or study topics relating to mindfulness and meditation that you have a particular interest in. It’s an excellent way to enhance your progress and gain the full benefits that mindfulness and meditation can bring to your life.
Mindful movement can be excellent for easing tension or pain. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. Book private sessions with our body-mind teachers specialising in qigong, yoga therapy, and breathwork. Depending on your needs, choose specific themes and practices to work on for effectively targeted relief.
Let your worries melt away. Soothe aches and pains. We work with different specialised professionals who offer full body therapeutic or relaxing massage, Swedish massage, sound massage, and acupuncture. With our skilled massage therapists, you’ll be able to give yourself the permission you need to truly unwind.
We feature regular psycho-educational and body-mind workshops as part of our weekly program. Feel free to add optional workshops to your program path for a more intensive experience of exploration and growth. On weekends we may also have additional workshops with invited teachers. Just share your interests with us and we’ll happily let you know what’s on.
We offer weekend and one-day retreats with our resident and guest teachers based on various themes, including meditation, yoga, dance, coaching, and noble silence. If there’s something specific you’d like to work on, feel free to design your own retreat experience with our Meditation Teacher or Program Manager.
Nature is a very important healing component of our program. Participate in a forest bath or mindful walk experience, sit on our contemplative benches, and listen to the surrounding sound of birds and streams. It sounds simple but you’ll be amazed at how calm, rested, and at peace you’ll feel by connecting with the natural environment around us.
Our centre is located in the stunning Serra da Estrela natural park, which features hundreds of walking and cycling trails. Ask us about the menu of hikes (with maps in Alltrails) and bike trails (GPS) that you can do on your own. You can also join the weekly scheduled group activity if you feel like some company and good conversation as you explore.
Central Portugal offers so many options that it’s sometimes difficult to choose what activity to do. We’re fortunate enough to be situated in a mountain region rich with history. Join a trip guided by local experts and explore fascinating cities and villages located nearby such as Gouveia, Seia, Celorico da Beira, Linhares, and Folgosinho.
Make your visit even fuller by connecting with the local culture. Participate in seasonal activities such as the shepherds’ summer festivities, cheese and chestnut festivals, cherry tree blooming, mushroom hunting, and more. You’ll learn about the region, make friends - and have lots of fun.
Engage with the stresses of daily life in a healthy and mindful way
Connect with others going through similar experiences and gain strength from meaningful belonging
Develop essential skills with which to navigate modern life and mental health challenges
Pause and breathe in natural surroundings, reconnecting to yourself and the world around you
Build a new relationship with yourself using valuable lessons from our community-based program
Fill out our confidential booking form. We'll ask you a few questions to get to know you and make sure New Life is the right place for you.
After booking, you’ll receive an information pack with all you need to know about transport, including our low-cost shuttle from Porto airport, and what to expect from your stay with us.
Take these four weeks as an opportunity engage in holistic healing and self-care. Feel like you need more time? You can always add on a few more nights.
Choose an option below:
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