Friday, April 16, 2010

"Recharging Your Batteries" [Part 5]

Does your mind always return from vacation when you do?

Even after a marvelous vacation, many people are glad to be home again in familiar surroundings. Others may feel out of synch and disoriented. They are victims of post-vacation dysphoria, or "vacation lag."

This condition results from the mind's reaction to the contrast between an easygoing holiday existence and the pressures of everyday life. It may be especially acute for people in very stressful occupations or for those stuck in jobs they dislike intensely.

One tip for beating post-vacation anxieties: plan to come home a few days before you have to report back to work. A few quiet days of reorientation may make returning to the job easier to handle.

Sometimes vacation lag can push people to make positive changes in their lives. They may simply add extra leisure activities to their week. Or they may decide to change jobs or seek career or psychiatric counseling.


What if you just can't get away?

The value of vacations can hardly be overstated. However, if job pressures prevent you from taking the time off that you have earned, a few stolen moments in the middle of the day can be effective in reducing stress and bringing the change of pace you need. Many companies today encourage longer and more frequent break times, because experts have shown that periodic rest breaks increase worker productivity. Taking a break can also inspire creative solutions to intractable problems.

No comments: