Get outta town!
Well August is upon us! I don’t know about you but I am ready for a vacation! My classes are over for the rest of the month and I have been diligently working on an exciting new partnership! (I can’t wait to give you all the details but you’ll have to wait a couple more weeks!)
As I am packing for my vacation, I am reminded of why we need to step back and take a break every once in a while. According to the travel website Skift, 42 percent of Americans didn’t take ANY vacation in 2014. ZERO vacation days! That’s preposterous!! I know it seems like taking a week to ten days away from the office is daunting, (Oh No! just think of all the work you’ll have to catch up on!) But what you’ll gain from taking some time to relax, unwind, and enjoy some time away cannot be measured. As for my stay-at-home CEOs (A.k.a. MOMs), you deserve a vacation even more! We can all reap the benefits of a little VACA. Here are some of the top reasons you should book your flights now:
Gain new perspective – I believe Jimmy Buffet said it best when he said “Changes in latitude, changes in attitude, nothing remains quite the same”. Sometimes stepping into a new environment can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the world upon your return. You may even come up with a new idea to an existing problem when you don’t have to look it in the face every day. Additionally, productivity is said to increase after taking some time off. Basically, you’re doing everyone a favor by taking a vacation!
Reconnect with loved ones - We all have those memories of our childhood vacations. Car rides, getting lost; fighting with our siblings, the license plate game, etc. Our childhoods would not have been the same without them. Why deny your children that luxury?! Ok so maybe it’s not the same, maybe they have their ipads and you have GPS but there are still plenty of opportunities to bond and hang out with the ones you love.
De-Stress -It’s a well know fact that play, fresh air, and sunshine are all stress relievers. Probably even more helpful at reducing stress is that on vacation there are no deadlines, no bosses staring over your shoulder and no strict schedules to follow. Let the day be your guide and spontaneity be your schedule. (In other words, you get to do what you want!)
Increase productivity levels – How many of us have been here? “I have so much to do but can’t seem to get started on one thing?!” Giving yourself permission to procrastinate may actually help you be more effective when you return. Take a break from all your daily tasks and give your mind time to relax and refresh. Who doesn’t need that?
Improve your health – rest, restore, renew, refresh, repeat. Doesn’t that sound lovely? How can that not improve your health?
Still not convinced? Ok then, if all else fails…
Help the economy! Many places rely on tourism as their #1 source of economic revenue. These places could benefit from your vacation! It’s almost like charity, really. (*smiles*)
Take some time off this summer. Breathe, relax, enjoy your families. Life is too short to stay in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Even if you can’t get away, you can take a stay-cation and reap the same rewards. Take long walks, hot baths, read a good book, watch a funny movie, reconnect with friends and loved ones. I guarantee it will be well worth it.
As ol’ Jimmy Buffet said… “With all of our running and all of our cunning, if we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.”
I'll be back in a couple of weeks with AMAZING and EXCITING news to share! Until then, be well my friends!
