For many parents — especially moms — summer break isn’t much of a vacation. Between patchwork childcare, shifted routines, later bedtimes and nonstop logistics, the season often ends with parents burnt out mentally and physically.
Enter the “reset trip,” a short, intentional getaway designed to restore sleep, regulate stress and set sustainable routines after a summer of multi-tasking. Unlike vacations that leave you needing another vacation, a reset trip helps you return better than you left. Some wellness-focused resorts are offering dedicated programs to make planning a reset trip even easier on parents, like SHA Mexico. Their Rebalance & Energize program, for example, is designed to relieve stress and revitalize the body at the cellular level, offering deep recovery and improved energy levels.
While many people consider New Year’s the perfect time to reset after a busy holiday season, as a mom, I’ve found that September is my new January. After taking a well-earned four-night reset trip, I’ve recently came back to the new school year feeling much more balanced and ready to make healthy choices for the fall.
Why Parents Benefit From A Reset
The mental and practical labor of parenting intensifies when school is out. Emerging research has documented parental burnout — distinct from job burnout — among working parents and linked it to worse mental-health outcomes. The point isn’t to pathologize summer, it’s to recognize that a targeted reset can interrupt the stress cycle and set the household up for a smoother school year.
Dr. Jair Olivares Villanueva, the clinic director at SHA Mexico, shared in an email interview that he often sees an influx of moms at the end of summer. “After a season that’s often full of travel, irregular routines and taking care of everyone else, we see solo travelers—especially women—come to SHA for what we call a ‘reset trip.’ It’s their opportunity to recharge, restore balance and invest in themselves before stepping into the demanding rhythm of the last part of the year.”
A hectic summer can do more damage than just tiredness, Dr. Ingrid Yang shared in a phone interview. “After months of mental load and stress on your nervous system, you could find disruptions to your microbiota, fatigue and a host of other issues. These are signs your body needs a mindful reset.”
Do Reset Trips Actually Help?
A meta-analysis in the Journal of Applied Psychology examined links between vacation and well-being and found a large positive effect, bigger than previously thought. Notably, psychological detachment (truly unplugging) and physical activity during time away were the strongest drivers of improvement.
Nature matters, too. A study in Scientific Reports identified a clear threshold: about 120 minutes per week in nature was associated with better health and well-being. Yang explains, “Spending time in nature isn’t just a pleasant escape; it’s a powerful prescription for better health. Immersing ourselves in natural environments can lower stress hormones, reduce inflammation, improve mood and even enhance immune function. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike through the forest, or simply sitting under a tree, connecting with the rhythms of the natural world reminds our bodies and minds how to find balance, resilience and joy.”
What A Reset Trip Looks Like (And How To Build One)
Think of a reset trip as a health investment, not an indulgence, to help define fundamentals you can continue at home. Some parents prefer to DIY a reset ritual at a nearby beach or mountain town. Others do better with structure and, after a summer of nonstop planning, orchestrating a reset trip might be the last thing you want. That’s where clinic-style wellness programs can be useful, including sleep assessment, movement, nutrition coaching and stress tools.
Villanueva offers his recommendations, “First, arrive with the intention of pressing pause and prioritizing yourself—it’s not selfish, it’s essential. Let go of the idea that you need to do everything at once; our team of specialists will guide you through a personalized journey step by step. Within just a few days, many parents notice feeling lighter, more energized and mentally clearer.”
A short stay can be organized around mind-body work, sleep coaching and anti-inflammatory, plant-forward meals. SHA Mexico’s four-night Rebalance & Energize program begins with a series of tests and analyses, followed by consultations with doctors and specialists to tailor your trip, from a personalized meal plan to private yoga or meditation sessions.
Peptide Treatments To Enhance A Reset Trip
Peptides, short chains of amino acids that serve as targeted messengers in the body, have become a sought-after advancement in integrative medicine. While some peptide therapies are well established, such as insulin, for example, others are newer and not yet regulated by the FDA. For these controversial treatments, such as the popular BPC 157, it is best to seek them out under the care of a qualified doctor.
SHA Mexico recently launched its personalized peptide treatments to help enhance the body’s natural ability to repair and optimize itself. Villanueva explains, “We incorporate peptides that accelerate physical and muscular recovery, ideal for parents who want to regain strength and vitality quickly. Others are designed to enhance mitochondrial energy production, supporting better stamina throughout the day. In this way, peptide therapies become a versatile and personalized tool to restore balance, energy and vitality during a reset trip.”
What To Take Home With You
While a relaxing getaway does help reduce fatigue from a busy summer, a true reset trip will also give you tools to bring back with you to help maintain healthy habits at home. Villanueva shares, “Our programs are designed not only to deliver immediate results but also to provide guests with lasting tools and knowledge they can integrate into their daily lives. Through tailored nutrition consultations, mind-body therapies and customized fitness plans, parents leave with practical strategies to implement at home. In this way, the transformation continues long after their visit, supporting sustained energy, focus and well-being throughout the year.”
Parents don’t need another packed itinerary; they need a reset that shrinks sleep debt, restores energy and trades summer’s scramble for sustainable routines. Design the trip around recovery and treat September like a fresh start—for you, not just the kids.