Vacation and Relaxation

Last Thursday sitting on a sandy beach watching the waves crash, I felt the warm sun on my skin.  My dear friend, Jen, was beside me and we were catching up on events and laughing.  We see each other only once a year because we live in different states.  Jen and her family are wonderful hosts — taking me to the best bar-be-cue joints in the south, watching funny movies, taking me for a ride on their boat in the fresh air, and welcoming me to their home.  The time seemed to go too fast before I returned home on Sunday to my routine after a long weekend getaway.

I confess that I don’t take enough vacation time.

Today it’s National Relaxation Day.  As a country, Americans need to be reminded and given permission to relax.  My training and logic tells me the value of vacation and relaxation improves well-being and happiness at home and work.  Yet, I join the statistics of unused vacation days.  (Harvard Business Review, July 13, 2016)

I did an experiment between appointments this morning.  I had about 3 hours free.  Usually I fill my time with “productive” things like bookkeeping or writing.  Instead I took a challenge and went to the movie theater purchasing a ticket and a box of overpriced candy.  I wasn’t feeling relaxed rather I felt robbed of over paying.  But I stuck with the experiment.   It was easy to find a seat since it was early in the day.  The movie previews started with the volume blaring.  I began to sink into my seat anticipating a good movie.  (I almost forgot the movie I came to watch because the previews are so long.  But I stuck with the experiment.)  The show was endearing and sweet and I enjoyed laughing even getting teary during certain scenes.

My data doesn’t necessarily reflect relaxation instead I feel scandalous and disappointed in the results .  It appears my data is inconclusive and another relaxation day or vacation is required sooner rather than later.

Resource:

https://hbr.org/2016/07/the-data-driven-case-for-vacation