Vacation. A word the comes up in movies, conversations and sarcastic quips at work about how there’s too little of it, or that it can’t come soon enough. People sometimes equate the idea of taking a vacation with taking a break and getting behind in work. The truth is, from a health standpoint vacations benefit us is many ways:
- improves your productivity
- improves adrenal function and regulates stress hormones
- improves emotional well being
- if it’s a sunny beach destination, benefits are all inclusive: sun, ocean, salt and coconuts are all healing agents that contribute to a better body.
Pressure gives us better performance odds, it kicks us into action. However, when pressure is constant and doesn’t let up, a fuse may rupture. I’ve had numerous conversations with health professionals and professors who all agree on the analogy of the pipeline and the fluids travelling throughout our body. Time ages all things, but it also heals. The water pipe in a house, the oil line in your car, the air vent in the business complex. After years of use, they all need to be replaced or refurbished. The same goes for the body. The heart never stops pumping blood throughout our system. It goes forever and ever, and ever. The way we ease the tension is by exercise, good food, meditation or “mindfulness” exercises and of course, the vacation.
I recently had the privilege of visiting the Caribbean islands of Jamaica (Trelawney Parish- Fallmouth), Grand Cayman Islands- Nassau, and Atlantis Cove-Bahamas. Although not long overdue, I decided to go, because I could. Upon my return, everything would be exactly where I left off. The time-space continuum goes onward. This brings me to a contentious issue of money. There are many of us who think a while before spending a dime on items and amenities that we deem unnecessary. Debt is the devil, and the U.S. bank and educational system prays upon curious minds to push people into the debt hole.
Be that as it may, money is a piece of paper that says very little about who we are as a person. Working for it is a necessary evil that does not need to be prolonged. For those who are fortunate to Say it’s worst case scenario: you’re a mother of 2, a student, you’ve recently lost your house and are working a 9-5 job to pay the rent and feed your family. Say in this example, the vicious work cycle has been continuous for a couple years. Your body is most likely due for a much needed tune up; ie: a vacation.
The repercussions of staying in the work cycle include: injury, elevated blood pressure, weakened immune system, volatile emotional state, and a decline in productivity. Unless you’re an X-men (and I’ve met a few, but chances are you’re just like me), if you keep going, you’re going to break. So, book that beach trip, take a weekend and focus your mind on the mountains and natural landscape. If done properly, a vacation is every bit as educational as it is fun.
This isn’t to say that hard work is a negative aspect of daily life. I often feel fantastic after grilling my brain with factoids, studying, reading, or working on a creative project. These all positively influence the brain. The dangerous aspects of work include the moments that we put off until the last minute. The number one rule of adulthood is to find inner peace while doing and performing tasks that aren’t necessarily in line with our desires. This contributes to a structured society where industry thrives as a function of our strong work ethic. Life would be down right insipid without work, and for those who are lucky, it’s not work, but fun.
A vacation therefore, is something to look forward to and plan carefully. In countries such as Italy and China, worker bees take a whole month off. The caveat there is that they don’t get weekends. Not in Italy anyways. Plus, we often experience “aha” moments in the cabana or while snorkeling. It’s the ultimate refreshment. See? The vacation, a ticket to success. Everything in moderation though, unless you’re a blogger who earns their living by taking vacations. In that case, please give me a call.
Ciao,
Nattapon Jontom Abbett
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P.S. If you get the chance, hug an animal. I am certain I’m going to live an extra year because of Jonah the dolphin. We definitely clicked.
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