“Ahhhh… Vacation!”
When we are young, vacation for most implies a laid back schedule filled with adventure, fun and “me” time. We dream about vacation for weeks. We can hardly wait. When the day arrives, we say goodbye to work, hello to fun, and exhale a contented sigh of “Ahhhh… Vacation!”
Take A Vacation Quiz
As the pressure of life grows, it becomes easy to lose sight of the purpose for vacation and let our lives get out of balance. What motivates you now to take vacation time? When you think of your vacation days which of the following applies to you or someone you know?
A.) Vacation is well-deserved time off to reconnect with family and friends and to physically and emotionally rejuvenate. I take vacations regularly.
B.) Vacation days are like money in the bank because I can buy the unused time from my employer at the end of the year. I try not to use all of my weeks.
C.) I am saving my vacation days because I have used or probably will use up all of my sick days this year. I wish I had more vacation days left.
D.) Are you kidding? I can’t take a vacation right now. There is too much at stake!
If you chose the first one for your usual response to vacation, good for you! Enjoy your vacation. You deserve it!
If you chose any of the other responses, you are looking at vacation time in an unhealthy way. Regularly using your vacation days for anything other than their intended use means you may be heading towards a crisis. There are times when unexpected reasons arise and you’ll need to take time off; however, waiting to schedule vacations based upon “what if” is not a good way to plan out your calendar.
Quality Time Living
The 100 Year Lifestyle model of time is Prime Time, Prep Time and Play Time. Together these make up Quality Time Living, an important part of Lifestyle Care. Play Time is taking planned time off. It has many benefits and may help prevent forced time off as a result of a health crisis. Just like people who make the Critical Transition to Lifestyle Care with their chiropractic care often experience higher levels of health consistently, the same is true with people who plan for and build vacations into their lifestyle.
Vacations may help you live longer – A study by the State University of New York at Oswego that surveyed 12,000 men between ages 35 and 57, found that men who go on vacation every year reduce their overall risk of death by 20 percent. The Framington Heart Study indicates women who regularly take time off have a 50 percent lower risk for heart attack.
Vacations can raise energy levels – Experts from the University of Pittsburgh and Radboud University both said that people had more energy and felt more satisfied with life on vacation.
Vacations free your mind – The author of “How To Succeed In Business…” Robert Kriegel says that many workers get their best ideas away from work and Los Angeles psychologist, Robert Butterworth told ABC, “The break will allow you to refresh your brain cells.”
Vacations can strengthen relationships – A Wisconsin Medical Journal published findings that women who take two or more vacations a year are less likely to be depressed, tired, or unhappy with their marriage.
If you still believe you can’t take a vacation and there is too much at stake, in one way, you are right. There is too much at stake: the toll on your long term vitality, health, and energy. Stress affects everyone differently. It is well documented that high levels of stress can contribute to heart disease, cancer, digestive issues, and sleep deprivation. Stress can elevate cortisol levels and reduce the strength of your immune system. These are just a few conditions from a long list that can slowly sneak up on you over time or dramatically surprise you with the speed of their impact in your life. If you use up all your sick days then have to dip into your vacation days, where is the win?
You have the choice. What’s your vacation motivation going to be? Go ahead, adjust your lifestyle and take a vacation. You deserve it!
Recommended Vacation Reading: The 100 Year Lifestyle Second Edition, available now on Amazon.com
References from www.businessinsider.com and from www.prevention.com
