Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Escape.
That is a not a suggestion but directive.
For years both my husband and I worked hard and put off taking long vacations. I always had a deadline to meet. He wanted to save his time in case an emergency arose that didn’t fall under “sick leave”. The kids had schedules, too. No matter the excuse, we just kept putting it off except for a long weekend here and there.
Since both of us are now retired, we’ve decided to change that. Too many people we know have missed their window of opportunity and are now house-bound with illnesses.
We recently went to Alaska for two weeks. Other family members have taken a week away. Some others are great at taking mini-
vacations (aka weekend get-aways) once a month.
Try to take at least one (maybe two) week-long vacation. It takes a couple of days just to unwind. My daughter-in-law said they slept for the first two days of their week-long vacation. “I guess we didn’t realize how tired we were,” she noted.
You don’t have to take an expensive dream vacation (although I would suggest saving up for one). Just go somewhere that is a change of scenery, change of pace, and change of routine. Refuse to look at your cell phone except maybe once a day. Turn it off completely if your vacation includes a massage. DO NOT call your workplace unless you hear the building is burning down. Believe it or not, your co-workers may enjoy a break from you too. Get away from the daily news grind, however it is served up to you.
Hike, swim, make sand castles, drink fruity drinks with umbrellas, go fishing, stare at mountain sunsets, stare at ocean sunrises, eat something new, dance, sleep, relax. Find your happy place.
Upon returning from vacations, I have found that we are all kinder, gentler souls.
Need more evidence?
According to an article written by Kathryn Isham, PsyD LP for Allina Health, there are seven reasons to get away from your normal routines.
1. Improved physical health - Stress can contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure. For both men and women, the New York Times reported, taking a vacation every two years compared to every six will lessen the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks.
2. Improved mental health - Neuroscientists have found that chronic exposure to stress can alter your brain structure and bring on anxiety and depression. When you take a vacation, feelings of calm arise and relieve stress, which allows the body and mind to heal in ways that it couldn’t if it were still under pressure.
3. Greater well-being - According to a Gallup study, people who “always make time for regular trips” had a 68.4 score on the Gallup-Heathway’s Well-Being Index, in comparison to a 51.4 Well-Being score for less frequent travelers. One study found that three days after vacation, subjects’ physical complaints, quality of sleep, and mood had improved compared to before vacation. These gains were still present five weeks later, especially in those who had more personal time and overall satisfaction during their vacation.
4. Increased mental motivation - Many who return from vacation are more focused and productive. Studies have found that chronic stress can make it difficult to achieve certain tasks and cause memory problems. Taking time off can be like getting a tune-up for the brain, improving your mental health and cognition.
5. Improved family relationships - Spending time enjoying life with loved ones can keep relationships strong. A study by the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services found that women who took vacations were more satisfied with their marriages.
6. Decreased burnout - Employees who take regular time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and productive than their overworked, under-rested counterparts. Another way to manage burnout is through the Oxygen Mask Rule: “Secure your masks before assisting others.” In other words, address your mental, physical and spiritual needs before committing to responsibilities benefitting others outside of your immediate family.
7. Boosted happiness - Research shows planning a vacation can boost your happiness. Some people experience an elevated mood up to eight weeks before the trip.
“The bottom line is, take a vacation if you can. When you take time away from the stresses of work and daily life, it can improve our physical and mental health, motivation, relationships, job performance and perspective. A vacation can help you feel refreshed and more prepared to handle whatever comes when you return,” Isham wrote.
Like I said….escape.
