I recently read a survey and of the almost 1000 individuals who were asked, “Do you want a vacation after your holiday?” 87 percent of them said yes.
Why do we need to have a break?
It’s apparent that the commonly stated purpose for a holiday – rest and comfort – may not be working very nicely!
While the majority of us take holidays and look forward to them, maybe we are not getting out of them what we all want. But, before I get to you and me, let’s look at how some other things in our world use a break:
Bears take a long winter break – they call it hibernation.
The tulip bulbs in my front flower bed have lately started to peak through the soil. They spend ten months of this year apparently dormant, preparing for their annual coming out party.
Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the fall and have a rest, restoring their power to grow and make new leaves in the spring.
Rejuvenation
Now – getting a bit closer to home – consider breaks that more closely resemble our holidays:
Kids (and their teachers) get a rest from studying around the holidays and at the spring, and, typically, a longer summer break also.
Sports teams require timeouts to think about where they are, decide what to do next and catch their breath. (I know, you hope that your holiday is longer than a timeout!)
So, what do the results of the survey and every one these cases have to do with you and your holiday or the breaks you require?
Everything!
While there are lots of reasons to have a holiday – to be with family and friends, explore something new, get a suntan, or – many of us return into R & R (rest and relaxation). All these reasons are important, but the biggest advantage from any break (whether 2 minutes or two weeks) should be a third R – rejuvenation.
Bears, tulips and trees are resting on the winter; but more than that they’re preparing to make their purpose in the subsequent year. Bears couldn’t succeed, tulips wouldn’t blossom and the trees will not grow with no break to rejuvenate.
Kids and teachers return to school refreshed and revived. The burnout from several months or week is erased and they’re ready to go again! And while sports teams are becoming rested and catching their breath during the time out they’re also preparing for their future success – another component of rejuvenation.
Allow me to ask you a question:
If 87% of people surveyed say they want a holiday after their holiday, are they getting the rest and comfort they sought?
More importantly, how are they getting the rejuvenation they need?
Even more importantly, are you?
How to Achieve Rejuvenation
It’s one thing to tell you that a target for your break must be to rejuvenate. (If you had not considered that before, now I hope you agree.) But it’s another thing to make that happen.
Here are five things you can do to be sure that each and every break – short or long – helps you rejuvenate and refresh for increased vitality, power and success.
Make it a target
Whether or not a 7-minute power nap or a 7-day cruise, realize that rejuvenation is a target. On the cruise which may mean one less late night or a little more exercise. It may mean somewhat less stress over the details of your “perfect holiday” and a little more time for serendipity. When you make it a target you may determine what you can do to make your break energy and refreshing generating.
Consider the total you
You’re more than your body. Rejuvenation is about refreshing your thoughts and soul in addition to your body. When you think of it this way, you realize that there are various activities and approaches that refresh every part of you. Which results in the next point…
Recognize what works for you
Maybe you need exercise, time in the spa, a manicure, or a heap of books. Maybe you will need sunlight or the energy that comes from good friends or a terrific meal. Maybe you will need all those items to refresh all of who you are. Take some time to consider those activities and situations which rejuvenate and refresh you. And bear in mind that you don’t have to wait all year for these actions or try to cram them all into a single holiday…
Don’t wait for once annually. Hibernation and dormancy aren’t the lessons we need to take from the trees, tulips and bears. We are not wired the same way, and we do not have to take weeks and months to rejuvenate. Look for ways to spend a weekend, days or a day with the express purpose of bettering your mind, body and soul.
Start now
The end point of the final point is that you don’t have to wait in any respect. Consider what you could do immediately to rejuvenate. A 7-minute power nap? 15 minute walk? Shooting some baskets? Knitting a sweater? Writing in your journal? Reading a wonderful book? Talking with a constructive or creative colleague? Make certain that you maintain short breaks in your toolbox for generating greater mental, spiritual and physical energy and vitality in your life.
Possible Interactions
Rest and relaxation are fine objectives, but limiting. For the most from any break you need to do more than rest and unwind, you need to use those activities as a means to rejuvenate to live daily more completely, happily and efficiently.
