Can you afford to take a break from the business?
August is the traditional month to take a holiday but in the current economic climate, some of us will have opted to wait until it’s cheaper – or not to take a vacation at all.
Those with children have little choice but to go away during the school holidays when the cost of travel is at its peak. Others, especially those running their own businesses feel guilty taking time away from the office or just don’t feel they can afford to spend time away from the business.
But how healthy is this? Just how important is it to take a summer break?
Some experts believe that holidays are a vital necessity, not a luxury.
In this hectic and at times stressful world, we often overlook the importance of good ol “R & R”. Our minds and bodies need rest to repair, recuperate and grow.
Here are just a few reasons to get away from it all...
- Get fit! On holiday you’ll probably walk more, swim more and keep moving (not sit at your desk) which boosts your circulation and gets the blood pumping round the body, boosting your heart rate and immune system.
- Rejuvenate. Give your body a break from the daily grind and your body will start to repair any damage that has built up over the year. Chronic disorders can ease or even disappear following total relaxation.
- Breathe easy. If you normally work in a busy town or city, the air in a mountain or quiet seaside resort will give your lungs and bloodstream a chance to clear – you’ll need a minimum of 72 hours every few months to maintain optimum performance and the best choices to stay are remote areas, mountainous regions, snow fields and rainforests.
- Be inspired! Even if you don’t work in a creative industry – we all need inspiration to think clearly and come up with innovative ideas – to do this you need to be in a positive frame of mind. Good boosts for inspirational thinking are sunshine, laughter, good food, exercise, fresh air and sex, so get stuck in!
- Find romance? Holidays are a perfect way to reconnect with a partner and rediscover why you liked each other in the first place – or maybe a chance to meet someone new? Despite the rumours, holiday romances can lead to long term relationships – a survey taken last summer claims as many as 10% of holiday romances lead to wedding bells (Travelmail August 08) this statistic includes Catherine, our Business Development Director!
- Quality time. Many of us just don’t have enough time with those who matter to us. The number of parents working full time has increased dramatically meaning that family time is reduced to a minimum. On holiday you can be sure to spend some quality time together (unless you have teenagers and then you can spend your quality time avoiding them).
- Peace and quiet. The stress and noise of daily living can raise your cholesterol, blood pressure and increase the likelihood of headaches so when on holiday, as your stress levels decrease, you will find that you not only catch up on lost sleep but the quality of your sleep is better so you will feel more refreshed and invigorated.
- Raise your productivity. The biggest reason why you deserve a break is that when you get back you will be more productive, more creative, more tolerant and more efficient – so if none of the other reasons have convinced you – for the sake of your business maybe it’s time to take a hike, get on your bike or just get lost!
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