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Five
Ways To Take A Vacation Without Taking A Vacation
Helaine
Iris
Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to identify
and stop the energy drains that leave you feeling exhausted
and out of balance. I outlined how energy is one of your most
valuable resources and invited you to start thinking about how
to reserve more energy for yourself.
Now, I'd like to offer a suggestion on how to actually
build energy and begin to create energy reserves.
One of my favorite ways to recharge my batteries is to take
a vacation. Vacations traditionally are defined as a period of
time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation especially when
there is suspension of school, or business activities.
Vacations are usually, unfortunately associated with travel
and a commitment of time and money, making them not easily
achievable without a lot of planning.
All a vacation is really is a break in your routine with
the accompanying positive mental shift that helps you fully
absorb and receive the benefits. The key to success is to be
as present as possible and remind yourself to fully soak in
what you need whether your vacation is for one hour or three
weeks. Begin by
making sure you clear your space and maximize your ability to
receive.
How can you receive the energy building benefit from a
vacation without actually taking one? Can you achieve the
desired result of rest, pleasure and relaxation within the
day-to-day structure of life?
Here are some delicious suggestions:
1. Take a vacation from your thoughts. Your mind is
a wonderful, essential part of life. Have you noticed how it
likes to work on overtime?
Perpetual thinking, worrying, and planning can be
exhausting and often counter productive. Give yourself
permission to take a vacation from thinking. Periodically, set
aside some time to let it all go: perhaps, meditate. Put your
thoughts on paper, they'll be there when you return to them.
An added benefit is, by taking a step back, you'll gain fresh
perspective and come back even stronger.
2. Take a day off and plan your favorite activity. If
planning a week or two of vacation time is not realistic, plan
a day. Clear your schedule of everything and either plan to do
nothing, (if that's heaven to you) or plan a day of "I've
always wanted to..." and do it.
3. Plan a special weekend. Be a tourist in your own
town. Try new restaurants, explore neighborhoods, or attend a
cultural event. One of the ruts it's easy to get into is
"same old, same old". Challenge yourself to see your
world through fresh eyes.
4. Spa night. This is a personal favorite. It was a
much-loved activity I shared with my daughter when she was
little. Now that she's grown and creating her own rituals,
it's a retreat I enjoy as solitary time. Lock yourself in the
bathroom with all your favorite hair and body products and do
it up. Light candles, play your favorite music, soak in the
tub until you're wrinkled. Pamper yourself.
5. Change it up. Here's where your creativity comes
into play. The idea is to make your normal routines new. For
example: sleep in a different room, take a break from TV and
read engaging novels, (not self-help books). Create themes
around mealtimes; bring Mexico or Italy into your kitchen.
Spend a rainy Saturday watching old comedies. As Milton Berle
said, "Laughter is an instant vacation".
I'm off now to take a vacation from my own full life.
Dinner with my husband in our favorite end-of-the-week Mexican
restaurant, I'll wear my favorite jeans and imagine we're in
Mexico...it's all in the attitude.
It's
YOUR life . . . live it completely!
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