Might be Time for a Vacation

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Do you ever get the feeling like you are a workaholic? You answer your forwarded phone at all hours of the night and never miss an opportunity to check your email. You find yourself taking on a larger work load but you’re getting less and less done. It is very easy to get stuck in a rut both personally and professionally as the human brain will normally fear change from its regular routine. It is important that you step away from your typical day-to-day activities and give yourself a rest. Just as the mind and body need sleep every night, they also need an extended break where you can divert your attention away from work. Today on Make-It-Safe Monday we will be covering the importance of taking a vacation.

Stress related to work is an overlooked detriment to your health. Not giving your body some time off can cause both physical and mental distress. Studies have shown a direct correlation between people who do not take regular vacations and health problems such as a weakened immune system or an inability to maintain bodily functions. Constant mental stress can lead to a loss of sleep or anxiety. The likelihood of making poor decisions will increase while decreasing your self-confidence. The combination of any of these will often compound the stress causing individuals to become increasingly irritable, adversely affecting the relationships with the people around you. Extreme mood swings will dominate your personality leading to unnecessary arguments at work and at home which will keep escalating the stress. These symptoms can ultimately lead to depression, workplace injuries or even fatalities if no action is taken.

By taking a week or two of vacation allows you to remove yourself from your situations that are troublesome. You will be able to view your world from another perspective and may be able to find solutions to problems that you have been too busy to address. This is a great time to spend with friends and family improving relationships that may have suffered due to your absence. Plan a vacation where you can focus on relaxing. Vacations filled with overly coordinated events or excursions can lead to even more stress. Find something that puts your mind at ease like reading a book, golfing, napping by the pool or getting a massage. If you need to stay in contact with work, schedule 30 minutes of the day to respond to emails or phone calls otherwise your laptop and phone should be out of sight and out of mind.

Remember that your well-being is just as important as your career.  Take some personal time for yourself; your body and your family will be thanking you. Most importantly, if you missed an important phone call or were absent at a meeting it is not the end of the world. I can guarantee the sun will still come up tomorrow.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday

Brad Lindemann
Sales Coordinator, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company