Can a retreat genuinely help with burnout?

It can help, especially for rest, routine and perspective. It isn't a substitute for medical or psychological care if you're dealing with depression, anxiety or a health condition, so please talk to a professional too.

What tends to make a retreat restorative rather than just a holiday:

• Enough time. Many centres suggest at least a week, because the first few days are often just decompression. Atmantan recommends 7–10 nights for a meaningful detox.
• Fewer screens. Some places build this in: Kaivalyadhama has a 7-day Digital Detox Program, and SOUKYA discourages gadget use during treatment.
• A gentle structure: regular sleep, simple food, movement and time in nature.

Places with stress-focused programmes include Ananda in the Himalayas