Major problem 81 per cent of Aussies are struggling with - and how to combat it

Australians are exhausted. We've been ranked among the most burnt-out groups in the world, and recently, a staggering — though unsurprising — 81 per cent of the Aussie workforce admitted to battling with severe stress.

Burnout comes in all shapes and sizes and no one person's experience is exactly the same as somebody else's. Often, it's not just work inducing extreme levels of exhaustion, too. If, like me, you're in your 30s — you've probably found your social calendar of late to be chock-a-block, almost weekly it seems, with various friends' events and milestones.

Baby showers, bridal showers, engagements, weddings, hens nights, bucks parties, first birthdays — the celebrations never seem to end. It can be tiring constantly spending your hard earned on these events and, despite genuinely feeling happy to celebrate your loved ones and grateful to be included, the physical and financial strain can still add up.

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I've been thinking a lot about this recently, and I thought: At what point do the unmarried and childless among us stop and celebrate ourselves?

The importance of taking time out

I came to the conclusion that, sometimes, you've just got to take a beat and do exactly that. And so I did. While most of my peers — or at least it appeared that way on social media — jetted off to Europe this year, I decided, or rather my savings account decided for me, to stay local. And I'm so pleased I did.

It doesn't really matter where you travel to or how far from home you end up, finding time for one's self is paramount, particularly in these difficult times. For me, I decided on Byron Bay, less than a two-hour flight from Sydney, nestled in the far-northeastern corner of NSW, in the state’s Northern Rivers.

Byron is as renowned for its pristine beaches and rugged, rocky landscapes as it is for its vibrant, upscale dining scene and thriving wellness culture. The town pulses with the free-spirited energy of its locals, creating a unique blend of laid-back charm and lively sophistication — and, let me tell you, there’s no shortage of either.

It's this exact blend that drew me toward 28 Degrees, an intimate, meticulously designed five-star hotel, that offers laid-back sustainable luxury for the environmentally conscious traveller, right in the heart of the town.

Believe me, when I say meticulously designed, I mean it.

Why choose 28 Degrees Byron Bay?

There's not a single part of this breathtakingly beautiful 1940s cottage-turned- guesthouse that hasn’t been precisely and carefully thought through by the hotel's founder, owner, and designer Deb Garske. Not only are the interiors (and exteriors, for that matter), a sight that would easily fit between the pages of Architectural Digest or Vogue Living – and in fact, I’m sure they already have – each room is fitted with bespoke, locally-owned and sustainably-sourced products that just elevate the experience to a level I hadn't had the pleasure of enjoying before.

"I honestly could live here," my partner said to me within minutes of checking in. And while, I'm sure most people say that about luxury accommodation, truly — I could live there. And there wouldn’t be much need to leave.

“Everything you see around you, from the soap, to the towels and bed linen is sourced consciously,” an excerpt from an extremely chic leather bound welcome book that was laid out on our bed, the size of my apartment, read. “Even the floors that your feet may be enjoying right now are made from recycled French Oak, with a RUBIO stain, and a non-toxic low USO coating.

“From organic bed linens to our eco-conscious Grander water system, we ensure a sustainable and luxurious experience. We employed local architects, craftsmen and builders for the construction and insisted on the use of sustainable materials.”

The result? A sensory feast that actually takes a few minutes to fully absorb.

Thoughtfully arranged on the pink marble mini bar, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of complimentary in-house treats. Enjoy local ground coffee beans, carefully portioned in jars, with filters and a glass brewer ready to use, natural tea leaves, and Deb’s mouth-watering homemade granola and fruit compote for breakfast. Of course, there’s a special way to layer it, and yes, there are instructions.

Between the heated plunge pool, lavish selection of bathroom and shower products, stylish robes, handy beach bag and even a chic ‘do not disturb’ door hanger made entirely of sea shells, this accommodation experience is one you’ll unlikely ever forget.

Surprising details that will delight travellers

Even the room keys are vintage and date back to the 1920s, I’m told. On arrival, after you’re given the tour by the team’s helpful hosts, flick through the pages of the welcome book, which details – at length – the best Byron Bay has to offer, including retail stores, restaurants and experiences. I recommend taking out the hotel’s complimentary bicycles for a spin around town to really get a sense of why this town is famous worldwide.

If you’re in need of a ride for longer distance travel, look no further than Byron Luxury Tours. In partnership with the hotel, this ultra-luxe service, run by Byron local Jack Entwistle, will not only take you from A to B in style, you’ll receive the best recommendations to all the top restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. Our lovely driver, Andy, picked us up from the Gold Coast and drove us all the way into town while sharing his wealth of knowledge about the local landscape along the way.

After just a few days of decompressing by the pool, laying in the sun and beach hopping around the shire, you may even, like me, forget why you needed a getaway so badly to begin with. Life can be busy, messy, stressful and exhausting, making it all the more important to ensure you schedule time to relax.

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Remember, taking time to rest and unwind isn't time wasted, it's investing in wellbeing. It's easy to get so busy making a living you forget to enjoy living your life. In the words of Garske, "calmness is a rare and luxurious gift in our chaotic world" — a gift you'll want to savour every moment of at 28 Degrees.

You may have been to Bryon Bay before, but I guarantee you haven't done it like this.

Yahoo Lifestyle Australia was a guest of 28 Degrees Byron Bay.

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