TAKE SOME TIME OFF, BUT DO IT THE RIGHT WAY
Vacations are fun.
Taking time off from
work can make you happier, healthier, and more productive when you
return.
But not every
vacation is equal.
In 2010, the journal
of Applied Research in Quality of Life
published a study where researchers in the Netherlands found that most people
were not happier after a vacation.
The cause of this
unhappiness was high travel-related stress i.e. stress involved with transportation, dealing with details while on the trip (particularly when traveling with young children) and finding good
accommodation in an unfamiliar location.
The important thing
to note here is that travel, in and of itself, does not lower happiness when
you return to work — travel stress does.
In short, the less
you experience travel related stress, the more likely you will experience a
positive benefit from the time off.
A
poorly planned vacation is more likely
to eliminate the positive benefit of taking time off from work.
A well-managed vacation can make you
happier and less stressed, and you can return to work with more energy and add a
deeper meaning to your life.
Here are 2 tips to help you create a positive
vacation.
- Focus on the details. For most people, the most stressful aspect of travelling is figuring out the details i.e. how to get there, where to stay and what to do there. To avoid this, research well on your destination. Try to find out whatever you can about your destination. You can also invest in a Tour Guide for your holiday destination. These books contain a wealth of information on interesting places to visit, places to eat and sleep. And whenever you are stranded try to locate the nearest Tourist Help Desks. They are very useful and will always provide you with information that can enrich your vacation. The other option is to plan your vacation through a good travel agent.
- Plan more than one month in advance. The earlier you plan, the better. This is very true if you are travelling with young children who need regular feeding or a change of clothes. Trying to figure out the details at the last minute or even on the trip itself may increase your stress levels.
Take a vacation, but
do it the right way.
(Adapted from Shawn Achor on the HBR Blog Network)
Comments