Post-Election Burnout? This Seaside California Resort Has The Cure

For many Americans, the end of a presidential election signals a collective sigh of relief. The relentless news cycles, heated debates, and constant stream of information across screens can take a toll on even the most resilient among us.

As the dust settles, a wave of post-election burnout will undoubtedly leave many of us eager to disconnect, reset, and recover.

For anyone looking to escape the noise and embrace a slower pace, The Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey, California, has crafted a timely, rejuvenating experience designed for total renewal after a year of intense stress.

Nestled along the Pacific shoreline just an hour and a half from Silicon Valley and a few minutes drive from Monterey, The Sanctuary Beach Resort combines luxury with holistic wellness, providing guests an idyllic escape on the scenic Marina Dunes Preserve. Having undergone extensive renovations, the resort reopened in June this year with 60 refurbished rooms and suites and a strong commitment to promoting balance and peace of mind.

According to Sylvain Briens, the resort's General Manager, The Sanctuary aims to reconnect guests with the restorative power of nature. "Throughout history, people have always sought out destinations near the ocean for solace and renewal," Briens says. "As I walk our grounds each morning, I see it in our guests' faces—that gradual transformation from tight-shouldered tension to ease."

The Burnout Recovery Journey

In response to growing concerns around burnout—whether it's work related or election year-related, or both—the resort recently introduced the Burnout Recovery Journey , a curated wellness package that extends far beyond the typical resort experience. The program, available with a two-night minimum stay starting at $609 per night, features elements tailored to soothe the mind, body, and spirit, making it the ultimate antidote to the post-election blues.

The Burnout Recovery Journey kicks off with a 90-minute renewal session at the resort's spa, which includes a 60-minute relaxation massage paired with a 30-minute session on the Higherdose Infrared PEMF Mat—a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy mat that emits electromagnetic waves to mimic natural frequencies found in nature, stimulating and encouraging your body's natural recovery process. The mat also includes healing crystals layered inside the mat, which produce negative ions when heated.

Additionally, guests who purchase the package will be greeted with a nourishing welcome basket featuring non-alcoholic apéritifs from De Soi, bone broth by Kitchen Table Cultures, and gourmet snacks from the resort's on-site restaurant and bar, Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette .

For those seeking a deeper relaxation experience, the package also includes a 20-minute sleep hypnosis audio, developed by The Traveling Hypnotist Podcast, with calming ocean sounds recorded right at The Sanctuary resort.

And, because the average person checks their phone roughly 144 times a day , the Burnout Recovery Journey offers amenities like the Slnt Waterproof Phone Bag, which blocks all signals, encouraging a genuine digital detox.

A different kind of wellness destination

One of the package's most significant draws is the resort's location itself. Set against a stunning Pacific backdrop, The Sanctuary is spread across 19 acres of pristine beachfront property, giving guests unrestricted access to the natural beauty and wildlife of the Marina Dunes Preserve.

Briens notes that the resort has seen a profound impact on its guests' wellbeing, simply by letting nature take the lead. "Early risers pad out to their balconies with coffee in hand, mesmerized by the morning fog rolling across the water. Others find themselves naturally drifting to sleep as the sun sets, perhaps for the first time in years."

There's a magic in slowing down, Briens emphasizes, pointing to the way guests engage with the world around them once they let go of their devices.

"What moves me most is seeing our guests rediscover their sense of wonder," he says. "They'll pause mid-conversation, pointing to pelicans gliding overhead in formation. They'll gather at the beach bluff as a whale breaches the surface. These moments remind us all of something essential we've forgotten in our busy lives."

The property is intentionally designed to foster a sense of inner connection, prioritizing the integration of mindfulness, relaxation, and digital detachment in each aspect of the guest experience. Unlike traditional wellness resorts that offer prescriptive itineraries or rigorous schedules, this resort encourages guests to follow their intuition, letting each moment unfold organically.

As Briens puts it, "Here, the ocean reminds us how to simply—get back to living."