Doctor's orders- It is time for a vacation

Your health and wellness includes more than just eating right, sleeping enough and general exercise and activity. What about a vacation? What is the purpose of a vacation? From what I can tell, vacations can be the equivalent to recharging your batteries, increasing your quality of life and reawakening yourself.

Vacation time off from work is not as generous in the U.S. as it is in other countries, but it is still just as important as ever. A lot of companies roll sick time in with vacation and employees don't want to use it in case they need it. Also, with jobs feeling the economic crunch and putting more work on their employees, people need a chance to step back and "recharge".

How much time do you have to recharge? It is necessary for a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Survey results on career builder show that the percentage of people who said they cannot afford to take a vacation has increased from last year to this year. That’s an unfortunate statistic. An article on Forbes.com shows some tips on taking a vacation without having to go to extremes.

We just came back from a trip to Ocean City, MD. It is close enough to home that we can get away and not have to go far. The elements are there to have a chance to unwind without necessarily needing to break the bank. My family likes the beach.

Where do you like to go when you want to relax? Have you ever taken a mini vacation in your mind? What does that place look like and is there a comparable place nearby for you to go to?

I read an article once about taking three minutes at work in which you close your eyes and picture yourself at your favorite place. It's important to take deep breaths and finish the entire three minutes for best results. 

But how did this work junk sneak back into this vacation article? Probably because it is a huge part of our daily ritual and for some, it is the road block between taking a needed vacation and not taking one.

What benefits can you get from a vacation? If you do it right and actually relax without over planning, your mind will take it easy and your body will unwind. This too requires a balance of excursion with ease.  Studies show workers are more productive when they take breaks and people who vacation will actually live longer. Other benefits include: less chance to experience heart conditions and depression and increased creativity and well being. 

Vacations do not have to be a big expedition. Try to relax right in your own backyard. Just get away from work, stressors and unwanted electronics. If you drive to your destination with children, prepare yourself ahead of time for the "how much longer?” and "are we there yet?" questions. I wish we counted the number of times our kids asked "how much longer." It was quite comical. Have activities ready for the offspring so you can enjoy the ride too.