Down with vertigo, The Peaks

Acrophobia, or fear of heights, may have you rooted to the spot mid-way up a steep hill, refusing to cross a bridge, or even avoiding steep escalators on the London Underground. On a Will4Adventure weekend, neuro-linguistic programming techniques are combined with outdoor exercises to help you tackle your fears. Held in the Peak District national park in Derbyshire, the weekend starts with an indoor NLP session, and moves outdoors on to the high moors and rocky outcrops of the region for the practical side, helping participants learn to trust their leader, their equipment and, ultimately, themselves.
• 07791 860163, will4adventure.com. The next course runs 20-21 August, £200, including one day of novice rock-climbing tuition, excluding accommodation

Learn to meditate, Norfolk

It has been shown to reduce stress, improve relaxation, help concentration, boost creativity and ultimately lead to inner peace – so why aren't more of us giving meditation a go? The London Buddhist Centre offers weekend courses for beginners at Vajrasana, its own retreat centre in gorgeous countryside north of Stowmarket in Suffolk. The food is veggie, of course.
• 0845 458 4716, lbc.org.uk/retreat.asp. The next weekend retreat is on 23-25 September, £125

Stop smoking, Scotland

Willpower not quite working for you? If you're serious about giving up the ciggies but haven't cracked it with patches, gum or being nagged, Stop Smoking weekends run by laser therapist Anne Penman could do the trick. Her new programme, held at the Royal Hotel near Stirling in Scotland, is tailor-made to suit each participant, and includes personal and group therapy, carbon monoxide tests to measure levels in lungs and bloodstream, and advice on how to avoid gaining weight after giving up. It also uses laser therapy to promote the release of endorphins, reducing withdrawal symptoms. Smoke as much as you like on Friday night – but leave on Sunday as a non-smoker.
• 0141 423 9375, annepenman.com. The next weekend is on 23-25 September, £350, full board

Quick route to the good life, Devon

Ever dreamed of giving up city life and owning your own farm? A weekend course introducing you to what's really involved could soon see you on your way to the Good Life. Hidden Valley Pigs in Exmoor, Devon, runs two-day, hands-on courses for couples or private small groups where you'll learn about rearing pigs, sheep, goats and poultry, and making your own dairy products, sausages, bacon and bread (and take home samples of what you've made).
• 01598 753545, hiddenvalleypigs.co.uk. Two-day courses are for couples and small groups and cost £210 for two days, including lunch but excluding accommodation (there is a range of hotels, campsites and B&Bs nearby)

Get assertive, Kent

If the idea of speaking in front of a group has you quaking in your boots, or you'd simply like to learn how to be more assertive or improve your presentation skills, a Fear of Public Speaking Retreat may be the solution. Run by the College of Public Speaking, the two-day workshop with award-winning trainer Vince Stevenson covers techniques to calm nerves and control breathing, voice and body language, and presentation skills. Meditation and visualisation are used too. The two-day retreats, held at Witherdens Hall near Canterbury, take place on Thursdays-Fridays this year, but weekend courses will run through 2012.
• collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk, 07731 876304. The next retreat is 6-7 October, £450 with lunch, excluding accommodation and dinner (there is a range of accommodation nearby)

Try therapy, Devon

Personal Development and Psychotherapy Weekends at picturesque Buckfast Abbey in Devon, are designed for newcomers to therapy, as well as regulars wanting to focus on specific issues or simply to reflect on their busy lives and refocus. They are run by psychotherapist Sandy Jay and the mix of group exercises and action techniques ensures participants gain insight in a supportive and fun environment – and they're popular (70% of guests return for more). Sandy also runs weekends designed specifically for people on their own, whether widowed, divorced or single.
• psychotherapyservicesdevon.co.uk, 01626 821 400. The next course is 7-9 October, £255 full board

Do a detox

If you want to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, a Detox Juice Experience weekend at the luxurious Simply Healing Centre in West Sussex is just the place to start. The programme gives claims to give your system a rest and allow a deep cleansing process, as well as being good for a host of aiding digestive problems. You'll only imbibe nothing but fresh fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, detox soups and potassium broth. Be warned – colonic hydrotherapy's on the agenda. Massages and meditation are included too.
• The next Detox Juice Experience is on the 22-24 July5-7 August and costs from , £585 full board based on two sharing, 01403 822117,