Why Summer Vacations are Necessary

By Avanti Vadivelu
 
It’s mid-June and school’s out for summer! It’s refreshing to see our kids take a break from their hectic school and activity schedules to let loose, play at the park or perhaps even set up a money-making Lemonade Stand. It gives them a chance to sit back and remember what being a kid and enjoying life is all about.
 
But what about you? Are you taking the steps to ensure that you get a break this summer (remembering that living vicariously through your fun-loving children is not the remedy)? If you’re answer is a sheepish, “No,” then you’re not alone. According to Expedia’s “Vacation Deprivation” survey, more than 1/3 of American adults don’t use up all of their vacation days from work, and about 48 million people are vacation deprived. But seeing that about 40% of us work more than 40 hours a week, taking a vacation is MORE than necessary.
 
Still not convinced to walk into your boss’ office to demand that needed break? Consider these healthy advantages of taking a vacation:
 
·        Allows your mind and body to rewind and relax. By giving yourself a chance to de-stress you can come back to your daily routine with a renewed energy that will be beneficial to yourself, your family, you co-workers and your work itself. Who knows? Perhaps all you needed was a sip of a Mai-Tai overlooking the sunset on the beach to give you that bright idea for your next work project.
 
·        Gives you a chance to re-connect with your significant other, friends or children. At home, your routine may be so set that you forget to appreciate your loved ones. Vacations offer the opportunity of seeing how your loved ones react to you and to strangers in a different setting. It’s hard to think about the milk your husband forgot to pick up on his way home from work as he’s lovingly helping your kids go horseback riding through beautiful scenery.
 
·        Bursts your cultural bubble. Living in the suburbs and going to the same school, stores, religious center and park may not be the most exciting – or mind opening – thing in the world. Getting out of your rut, and off of your street allows yourself to see how other people in the world live, whether it’s across the globe, or just across the state. 
 
·        Does a body good. Not only will taking a break help your work and your relationships, but it can help your heart, blood pressure, headaches, shoulder aches, back aches or any other ailment resulting from overwork and too much stress. It will also give you a chance to catch up on those much needed zzz’s. All of this will help you feel more rested, stronger and healthier by the end of your vacation.
 
And remember… taking a vacation doesn’t necessarily mean having two weeks off to march around Europe. Even a long three or four day weekend at the nearest beach or cabin may be just what the doctor ordered. So have you started packing your bags yet?