Stress is something that all of us have experienced. And now that summer is here, many of us take vacations to relieve it. However, vacations can become stressful themselves and can lack the much needed relief we seek. Many times we can feel that we need a vacation right after we come back from a vacation!
Gerhard Strause-Blansche (2005) reported that recuperation is “facilitated by free time for one’s self, warmer (and sunnier) vacation locations, exercise during vacation, good sleep, and making new acquaintances.” It is important to plan the vacation that fits your needs.
So if you are looking for some rest and relaxation don’t pack your schedule with sightseeing, parties, or other activities. If you are looking to renew relationships, plan activities the whole family can enjoy. The following tips may help you plan a better vacation:
- Plan mini get-aways. Research from the University of Tel Aviv in Israel showed that vacations—no matter the length—provide approximately three days of stress-reducing effects. It may be more rejuvenating to take a three- or four-day weekend more times a year than a two-week vacation once a year.
- Come back a day earlier. Although this may seem like you are cutting into your vacation, you may feel more relaxed once you get back to work if you do this. Coming back a day or even a half a day earlier will allow you time to unpack, clean up your home — even lounge around and relax with your family. It will also allow you to get a good night’s rest the night before you return to work.
- Do not expect your vacation to cure your burnout. Feeling burned out can be a deep-rooted issue that even a long vacation may not be able to cure. Try to have realistic expectations of your time off.
- Try to cut the cord. When you are on vacation, limit your time in communication with the office —even if you are the boss. It will make your employees feel like they can do the same. If you must do work while on vacation, limit work to specific times of the day. If you schedule “office time,” your office can expect to hear from you and your friends/family can plan around you. In addition, it allows you to keep the cell phone, pager, and/or computer in the hotel room so you can have fun.
Vacation can be an important time to reconnect with family, friends, and your- self. Only you can make sure that it will fulfill your needs and only you can make it relaxing. Wishing you safe and rejuve- nating vacations!
Republished with permission from the Living Whole Newsletter, Summer 2009. To learn more about the Living Whole Employee Wellness Program, click here.