How does a nice little vacation to the beach sound to you right now?  Would it sound even better if I asked you in January or February?  What if I added to it that you could actually improve your health by taking one of these vacations? 

The American public has valued hard work for generations.  Every year it seems to get worse and worse.  Not only are we putting in more hours at work (8.6 hours a day in 2010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics), but we are around our work more.  Our ancestors went home from work and stayed away until the next morning.  With our cell phones and computers, it is hard, if not impossible, to follow their lead.

I have blogged on stress enough for you to understand the complex processes that it can lead to.  Vacations are a necessary part of any complete life.  Without the time away to recharge, you will never reach your full potential.

Dr. Henry Cloud actually wrote a great book (Boundaries) about setting your boundaries and keeping them, to eliminate some of the stress that today’s workers are exposed to.  You can only work so hard for so long, before problems start to present themselves. 

So, how do vacations lead to the desired effects?  First of all they break the continuous exposure to the cortisol that the body produces throughout any stressful situation.  By breaking this system, you allow your body to recover to its natural state.  This can help eliminate some severe risk factors as well as reset your body.

Secondly, your brain needs a vacation just like your  body does.  Working anything non-stop is going to lead to fatigue.  When you get back from vacations, you may find that you get more work done, in less time.  You may find yourself with a new perspective on things.  You may find that ideas on how to move yourself forward flow more freely.  Taking a vacation is great for the mental benefits that it provides.

Finally, stepping away from where you are, and going somewhere else really makes you appreciate what you have.  The thankful attitude can go a long way in improving your health.  Realizing you have an amazing support group, your job isn’t that bad and the sun has drawbacks in large doses can do wonders for your level of happiness.

While you are enjoying a little time off during the holidays, check out those vacation packages.  I highly recommend it.

If you have questions, or would like to discuss this further, please contact me at:

Jeffrey L. Cumro, Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Personal Trainer
Better Life Chiropractic and Wellness, LLC
          Better Care > Better Health > Better Life
402-210-1472
BetterLifeNE@gmail.com
www.BetterLifeNE.com