An insidious new addiction is plaguing Australia’s highest-achieving celebrities.
In recent months, some of the country’s most glamorous stars have vanished from the public eye to spend time recovering from work-induced burnout.
From visiting a tropical oasis in Thailand to laying low at a luxury Byron Bay retreat, these Australian stars certainly know how to beat the workplace blues.
Abbie Chatfield
Podcaster Abbie Chatfield made headlines in July after revealing she’d been staying a retreat in Thailand to recover from her work addiction issues.
The former Bachelor star, 28, recorded a message for her It’s A Lot listeners at the time explaining she was taking the week off from work to re-prioritise her commitments.
In an emotional voice recording, the radio host revealed she has a ‘genuine addiction to work’ and was suffering from serious burnout because of it.
In recent months, some of the country’s most glamorous stars have vanished from the public eye to spend time recovering from work-induced burnout. Podcaster Abbie Chatfield, 28, (pictured) made headlines in July after revealing she’d been staying a retreat in Thailand to recover from her work addiction issues
‘I’ve been absolutely depleted and burnt out by the start of this year for a number of reasons,’ she said.
‘But I’ve been here for about five days and I think I’ve realised that my priorities need to shift a bit, to be honest, I’ve taken on so many jobs and so many roles.’
She continued: ‘I’m trying to figure out what I do and don’t want to do and I’m trying to not push myself to work way harder than I need to.’
In an emotional voice recording, the radio host revealed she has a ‘genuine addiction to work’ and was suffering from serious burnout because of it
Abbie said all she had done for the last five days was ‘sit around and get massages and swim’, but admitted she found the experience ‘mentally difficult’.
She confessed she couldn’t switch her mind off from work and came to the heartbreaking realisation she’s placed all her value into her career.
The Masked Singer judge admitted her personal and social life have severely suffered due to her ‘workaholic’ habits the last two years.
Abbie said all she had done for the last five days was ‘sit around and get massages and swim’, but admitted she found the experience ‘mentally difficult’
‘This is so dark, but I thought if something happened to me, if I just died, dropped dead, I wouldn’t have seen any of my friends in six months or a year,’ she said.
Not long after returning from the retreat, Abbie announced she had quit her Hit Network radio show to focus on her TV career, podcast and personal life.
Maria Thattil
Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil also recently checked into a wellness retreat to cope with the pressures of her busy modelling career.
Earlier this month, the influencer, 30, announced to her Instagram followers that she needed a break from the public eye.
‘I’m not going to be as active on here for the next week as I’ve checked myself into a health and wellness retreat,’ Maria said.
Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil, 30, (pictured) also recently checked into a wellness retreat to cope with the pressures of her busy modelling career
Maria said it has been a ‘long time coming’ with her battling a busy schedule over the last year or more.
‘I’ve been sick a lot. In the last four or five weeks, I’ve been sick every single week and it’s like my body is not keeping up,’ she said.
Maria went on to say she was approaching the ‘burnout phase’ and that her schedule had taken a ‘toll on her mental health’.
Earlier this month, the influencer announced to her Instagram followers that she needed a break from the public eye
Upon returning home a week later, Maria returned to social media with a long video message explaining further why she needed a break.
The brunette claimed that though she has been busy with various projects over the last few years, she had been plagued with anxiety.
‘I lost myself while chasing ambition and not investing in my health…I got to the point where I woke up every day and I couldn’t taste the joy in life,’ she said.
Maria said it has been a ‘long time coming’ with her battling a busy schedule over the last year or more
The Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is a celebrity-favoured sanctuary offering complete seclusion for guests to focus on their health
The Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is a celebrity-favoured sanctuary offering complete seclusion for guests to focus on their health
The former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here Australia contestant went on to say she’d checked herself into the luxurious Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat on the Gold Coast and ‘detoxed from everything,’ including music for the past week.
The Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is a celebrity-favoured sanctuary offering complete seclusion for guests to focus on their health.
Among it many offerings are premium villas, meditation suites, organic meals and an amethyst crystal steam room.
A seven-night stay at the retreat can cost up to $6520.
The brunette claimed that though she has been busy with various projects over the last few years, she had been plagued with anxiety
Jasmine Stefanovic
Reports surfaced in February that Karl Stefanovic’s wife Jasmine had checked into a $20,000-per-week health retreat in the Byron Bay hinterland following a difficult few weeks.
At the time, New Idea magazine reported that the former footwear designer, 38, was staying at the Gaia Retreat and Spa, after being dragged into the ugly brawl between her husband and his good mate Michael Clarke, which took place in Noosa over the Christmas holidays.
‘Jasmine bore the brunt after the Noosa park showdown and Karl really wanted to treat her to something special,’ a source told the publication.
Karl Stefanovic’s (right) wife Jasmine (left) reportedly checked into a $20,000-per-week health retreat in the Byron Bay hinterland in February
Gaia Retreat and Spa was established by Olivia Newton-John and her long-time friend Gregg Cave, and is set in the lush hinterland of Byron Bay
‘So he packed her bags, called his sister and mum to help with [their daughter] Harper and sent her on her way. He would do anything for Jas!’
‘Karl won’t care how much it costs – so long as Jas comes back refreshed and smiling. That’s what makes him happy!’ they added.
Karl subsequently confirmed on the Today show that his wife was enjoying some R&R.
At the time, New Idea magazine reported that the former footwear designer, 38, was staying at the Gaia Retreat and Spa, after being dragged into the ugly brawl between her husband and his good mate Michael Clarke , which took place in Noosa over the Christmas holidays
Packages offer a range of pampering and wellness treatments, as well as tai chi classes, sound meditation and access to a luxury spa
According to Woman’s Day, Jasmine was at the retreat to ‘heal from the stress’ of the Noosa brawl, which was sparked when her sister Jade Yarbrough accused her boyfriend Michael Clarke of cheating on her with his ex Pip Edwards.
‘She’s also hoping to get healthy ahead of trying for baby number two,’ a source added, hinting at family plans with Karl.
Gaia Retreat and Spa was established by Olivia Newton-John and her long-time friend Gregg Cave, and is set in the lush hinterland of Byron Bay.
Packages offer a range of pampering and wellness treatments, as well as tai chi classes, sound meditation and access to a luxury spa.
The so-called ‘Noosa rumble’ broke out in a public park in the Queensland tourist hotspot on January 10. (Sisters Jasmine and Jade Yarbrough are pictured here)
Lisa Wilkinson
Former Sunday Project host Lisa Wilkinson has weathered her fair share of controversies in recent years.
So it was no surprise when the controversial journalist took a break from the spotlight in April 2022 to visit the five-star Eden Health Retreat in Queensland’s Currumbin Valley.
The lavish getaway offers seven-night packages for up to $11,375 per person, and is known for welcoming celebrity guests including the likes of activewear designer Pip Edwards and PR maven Roxy Jacenko.
Former Sunday Project host Lisa Wilkinson took a break from the spotlight n April last year to visit the five-star Eden Health Retreat in Queensland’s Currumbin Valley
After returning from the retreat, Lisa shared a photo of herself beaning while covered from head-to-toe in mud.
‘Mud bath anyone?’ she began her caption, adding: ‘Back from hols after a week of healthy food, fresh air, mountain walks, rockpool swims, new friends, lots of reading, no internet, yes, baking in mud, and even jumping off cliffs (ok, a small hillside) in QLD’s stunning Currumbin Valley.’
‘So good for the soul,’ she added.
After returning from the retreat, Lisa shared a photo of herself beaning while covered from head-to-toe in mud
The lavish getaway offers seven-night packages for up to $11,375 per person, and is known for welcoming celebrity guests including the likes of activewear designer Pip Edwards and PR maven Roxy Jacenko
