The Tell Tale Signs

If you pay close attention to how your body feels and the thoughts that traverse your mind, you'll know exactly when it's time to take a break. In recent years, work and home schedules have become very hectic, increasing mental and physical stresses and reducing life's enjoyments. The constant bombardment of stress places enormous strain on all parts of the body and the mind. So do a self-check  and isee f you have any of the following signs: increased pain levels, more muscle tightness, irritability and shortness of temper or lack of creativity. If so,  it's probably time for a vacation.   

Go Go Go

Many people mistakenly believe that success requires a 24 hour dedication to their work. In fact, there is nothing farther from the truth. Pulling away from work helps bring balance and a whole new perspective to your career. It makes no sense at all being successful and making lots of money and then ending up spending all of it at the doctor's office or in the hospital. When it comes to increasing your success and helping you live a long and healthy lifetime, a healthy vacation maybe just what the doctor ordered. Let's look at some of the important things to keep in mind when you are planning your vacation strategy. Plan a relaxing vacation and after several days you will be enthusiastically back at your job ready to slay the competition.

Resist the Urge to Do Too Much

If your vacation plan starts to mirror your daily life just in another place and time, resist the urge to over do it. Sure there may be many things to see and do, but you can't do it all and expect to relax. Entertain the possibility that instead of doing and seeing it all on this trip, maybe you might actually come back a second time to catch what you missed. Don't get me wrong; you don't necessarily need to just sit in a chair and drool, but vacation days chocked full like work days won't give you the rest necessary to feel refreshed and revived.  

The Art of Relaxation

Learning to relax is really difficult for many people and in fact is actually an art. The first step to any healthy vacation is to just chill and have some fun. In this day and age, work involves deadlines, schedules and other commitments. Every minute of your day can be jammed with meetings, answering emails and phone calls and taking kids to soccer or swim team practice. Don't let your vacation be a series of planned "things I have to do." The faster you can switch from work mode to vacation time, the sooner your body and mind can start to relax. True relaxation is learning to let go, creating real down-time and allowing yourself to do just nothing.   

Turn-off All Cell Phones, Email and Computers
Before you leave, create a "gone fishing" message to anyone who might email you. Change the phone message on your voice mail announcing that you will be unavailable for the next few days while you kick back and relax. Absolutely though, stay away from the work impulse to check your email or voice mail while on vacation. Relaxation time is about creating a different rhythm or mind-set with your time and days. You can try getting up earlier or staying up later, going off your normal eating schedule, reading the local paper if you normally don't, taking a break from your rigorous fitness schedule or anything else that separates vacation days from work days.

There is great power in breaking the bonds that tie you to your work. When it comes to working, taking a break helps you refresh your energies and avoid burnout. This is the time to recharge your batteries and come back full of energy and raring to go. One resort uses a slogan that best sums up the healthy vacation experience. Relax. Rejuvenate. Restore... what more can be said!