Recently I took a “workcation”, which taught me the value of taking an actual Vacation: an extended period of leisure and recreational period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday.   For years I have taken “workcations” and now that I am older I realize what a dis-service that is to Me and to my job. When we work long hours and don’t take a break to re-charge it Does take it’s toll. Taking a day before or after the weekend is Not a Vacation or a day in the middle of the week then work and take the weekend…nope not a vacation. Your body doesn’t have time to distress, relax, rest, and our stress level only continues to rise. Did you know stress creates a multitude of diseases as well as actual chronic diseases for real?

Here are just a few Proven end results of stress: Of all the toxins in the world, stress might be one of the most damaging. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic inflammation, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Symptoms of stress can include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, muscle or joint pain, increased or decreased appetite and sex drive, and overwhelming feelings of anxiety, sadness, or irritability. Here are ten scary truths behind the effects of dealing with chronic stress.  Dang, sounds like a drug commercial list of side effects doesn’t it?

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, chronic stress impairs the ability to concentrate, which increases the risk of accidents. Stress also has negative consequences on learning and memory because it kills brain cells. According to one study, the hippocampus in people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder shrinks by eight percent. The hippocampus is the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Another study indicated that stress disrupts glucose channeling to the brain, which cuts off the brain’s energy source.  It’s no wonder Alzheimer’s is on the rise especially in women since they are juggling family, home, & work.  Did you know, there are 74.6 million women in the civilian labor force.  Not to mention, the workload employers expect these days. Greed has driven that to unreasonable levels – we are back to days of Old testament: “Do not supply any more straw for making bricks. Make the people get it themselves!”  In other words: more work, no more pay or training & in fact less if we can offshore, & let them (ALL workers) figure out how to produce more for less themselves. Now don’t get me wrong.. there are always exceptions and maybe you are employed by a boss that still appreciates your hard work and dedication or at least a boss/mgr. who does. However unfortunately, that is becoming less and less also. It is sad.

Which brings me back to the NEED to take Your week or two Vacation! Unplug from it all and I do mean unplug! Turn off the phone, don’t lug your computer with you saying, “ I will be available if you need me“. Your vacation time is time you have worked hard for & well EARNED break !  It is a labor law you do Not have to be available and your position should be covered and not by you. In today’s world if you plan on any kind of decent health you Must take care of yourself and part of that is ENJOYING your vacation! Not stressing thru it about work, studies, housework, and so on. And if you are traveling on vacation you darn sure should be enjoying it- you are paying A lot of money to take that vacation. (yep even short vacations are not cheap these days – so for goodness sake unplug and get what you paid for)

Now go back to the top and read the definition of a Vacation. smile

Shalom!