For many of us, summer, that much-anticipated season of warmth and light we’re entering, is all too brief. Naturally, we’d like to savour it as much as possible. In order to really do so, though, we need to depart from our usual habits and routines.
Indeed, many families plan a summer vacation, which typically involves taking a road trip, renting a cottage or going camping.
The word “vacation” originally referred to upperclass people’s practice of “moving to a summer home for part of the year, leaving their usual family home vacant.” (Wikipedia)
Today it has a broader meaning: “a time of respite from something.” (Webster’s) That something could be a paying job or other responsibilities, daily routines, other people, city noise and smog or the complexities of modern life — especially the demands of technology.
The purpose of respite is to refresh us physically, mentally and spiritually, the change of pace — and often environment — renewing our energy and restoring our perspective. When practiced regularly, respite helps keep life’s inevitable stresses manageable, preventing burnout — a common phenomenon manifested by physical health problems or such emotional symptoms as frequent irritation by small annoyances and feeling overwhelmed.
Opinions vary as to what constitutes a great vacation. Our goal might be rest and relaxation at home; getting back to basics and spending time in nature; being pampered in a luxurious setting; engaging in adventure; or spending quality time with loved ones.
Despite the benefits of such respite, vacation deprivation — foregoing some or all of the workplace vacation days allotted to us — is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon.
How absurd is this? Who wouldn’t want to take a break from work? Surely we’re aware of the importance of time away in order to recharge our batteries.
Yet it’s easy to get so caught up in the busyness of everyday life that we can’t conceive of retreating from the rat race. We may not even realize how long it’s been since we’ve taken a break. Or we may perceive we don’t have the time or financial resources to properly plan and implement the “ideal” vacation. (Such perfectionism is a common cause of burnout.)
Some of us, too, mistakenly believe that we are indispensable, particularly in our workplace.
Others among us are reluctant to use allotted days because we believe co-workers would disapprove of our temporary absence, regarding it as inconsiderate and perhaps even disloyal, or that the benefits of time off would be negated by the backlog of work we’d subsequently have to contend with.
Allowing ourselves to reach the point of running on empty before we take a vacation is another common lapse in judgment. Ideally, respite involves prevention of, not recovery from, burnout. Making it a habit, as well as using our vacation days in blocks of time, rather than taking one or two here and there, allows us to reap maximum benefits.
Even if we take advantage of all our vacation time, we’re challenged in today’s highly technological culture with unplugging from laptop computers, cell phones and other electronic devices we’ve become dependent on.
Physically getting away from it all is no longer enough — we must literally disconnect. Leaving behind all potential distractions and stressors is the only way to ensure we’re able to unwind and have fun. For some of us this requires considerable resolve, but the rewards are worth it.
Arranging regular vacations that are truly meaningful — that is, tailored to our particular needs, whether that means quiet and solitude or adventure and excitement — enables us to better manage workplace demands.
Spin-offs include being better able to attend to loved ones’ and our own personal needs, including those of a spiritual nature.
When we take time for ourselves, we become more positive and energetic people. It all comes down to balancing priorities.
Here’s wishing you a refreshing summer vacation, whatever form of time-out you choose.
