September Welcome – Live Well, Travel Well, and Breathe Hatteras Island

Rest, Recharge and Rewild

Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer and also signals the unofficial start of the month-long ‘local’ summer here on Hatteras Island. Activities begin to slow down, kids are back in school, and the pressures of the tourist season ease off, residents can reclaim the joys of small island living and take a well deserved break. September is still pleasantly warm, the beaches and fishing spots are less crowded, and you’ll be able to grab a table at your favorite eatery without the wait.

It’s a time to rest and recover, and restore balance—like the shift in seasons and the changing daylight hours. Glowing sunsets give way to balmy evenings, beach fires, and starry skies. And don’t forget Mother Nature is still in charge. Sending wild winds, she’ll turn the near-tropical waters into roaring hurricane swells in a flash!

Feeling the need to take a break and recharge, I’ve explored wellness retreats. There are an abundance of experiences on offer. From exotic luxury spa destinations to rustic rewilding in the mountains. Keeping it close to home, you can also choose to ‘retreat your way’. Be kind and reward yourself with soothing experiences. Set time aside to think about your nutrition, health, fitness, and sleep, and explore taking small steps to improve on these. Immerse yourself in nature, become aware of the earth’s natural cycles, switch off technology, and enjoy unplugging from daily life.

You could choose to spend a day ‘retreating’ or spread activities out over the month. Plan to do at least one thing a week that focuses on your wellbeing; perhaps go for a long walk, eat clean for a day, set up a bedtime ritual, etc. I am curious to try rewilding—getting more primitive and not glamping! Being here on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, there are plenty of overnight camp sites to escape to. Does anyone want to join or have a tent I could borrow? I heard the showers are cold!!

Photo credit: Lola Russian