My last vacation was a series of fantasy like images of crystal waters and white sand beaches, straight from a magazine. This perfect vacation included a happy bonding family enjoying some well deserved time together. Part of the 3.9 vacation and holiday days set aside for typical Americans. Unfortunately my vacation existed more in my mind’s eye than a real escape. My last vacation unsuccessfully combined my work with a family getaway. The reality of it was, I spent my time with students and clients, while my family had a vacation, minus one. Me.
If you’ve ever felt you need a vacation after your scheduled vacation, schlep around a cell phone and laptop on the beach, or think its a good idea to combine work with bonding moments, it may be time to rethink your vacation goals. Though you may carry the red badge of courage for overtime and dedication at work, are you able to apply those same attributes to being the ultimate traveler? Forego vacation deprivation and getaway guilt and find out what kind of traveler you are. It can tell you a lot about yourself. How you handle critical thinking, project management, adaptation and flexibility to change, oversight of many different personalities, and stress relief. Use a vacation as a learning experience and bring a fresh perspective to your work. That time away can be extremely valuable.
As a provider of educational workshops and getaways for both spa and wellness professionals, it’s apparent that people have a yearning to combine enlightenment with stress relief. Which is exactly why we create specially tailored getaways that provide opportunity for purpose, education and a well deserved vacation.
Vacation goals may be different for everybody, but its time to get back to the passion that inspires us when we let ourselves just be, rather than continually doing. Take that into consideration when planning your next edu - vacation.
There are many variations on vacation themes. Don’t know how to choose? If your looking for a good example of an excuse to take your vacation time, join our 2008 Cruise for P.I.I.N.K., a charity wellness retreat in support of breast cancer awareness. October 13-18.
I know, I know. Your ambitious, and take it upon yourself to get things done at work. Have mounds of responsibilities that you could never ask a colleague to take on. The reality is, you can and should. A healthy work environment and a healthy individual requires a balance. That balance is time for yourself.
People typically go on vacation for several reasons, and according to tourism and resource boards here are
some of the top:
People want to build and strengthen relationships.
Vacation time is also family time. Especially with a typically family schedule that leaves little for quality time together. A vacation is a perfect time to get a fresh view of family away from home stresses and work stresses. Along with family bonding, this is an ideal time for children and adults to socialize and make new friends.
A need to improve health and wellbeing.
Physical and mental well being is vital to everyday successes and a balanced work/family life. Health and well being getaways can include physical outdoor activities, and other ‘themed’ vacations that include nutrition, spa, relaxation, stress relief, education, sports etc. These are lifestyle focused. Desire to rest and relax.
Third on the list is reason to escape from work, schedules, worry, and everyday demands and just relax.
Many cruiseships for example play up this goal by providing easy access to many relaxation methods in one spot. If you can find a cruise style that offers an itinerary that fits with your purpose its even better. Get a fresh view. Enjoy new adventures. Many travelers find popular destinations with adventure getways. Eco adventures, Extreme Sporting adventures, Detox/Boot Camp adventures, Wine Socials, and even Naked cruising top the list. Adventures are to evoke new emotions, and experiences, what ever your goal may be. Romance, heightened sensation, visual stimulation, danger, its all at a travelers fingertips with the right planning. Just to escape.
This can mean many things, and is usually when people are looking for something that is deficient in their daily lives. Something different. Different climate, quieter surroundings, better scenery, a slower pace of life, culture, learning, or anything else that may create a passion in peoples lives. Knowledge building and learning. People are savvy, and have demands placed on them daily that require a high level of knowledge, pulling them in many directions. That knowledge also motivates today’s travelers. Better educated, and motivated for additional learning and stimuli, people travel to explore language, cultures, spirituality, mind-body connections, health, gourmet foods, and many other pursuits dedicated to knowledge and personal development. They want to see, touch, or feel something unfamiliar, yet apply their knowledge to a cause. Celebrate special occasions.
Some travelers take vacations to celebrate milestones in their lives: new relationships, marriages, birthdays, or professional achievements. Vacations that mark special occasions are usually taken with loved ones and provide memories that last a
lifetime.
To save money or time.
Although going on vacation almost always costs money and time, where one goes on vacation can influence costs. You can still vacation and save money with mini vacations close to home, or on a scaled down version of another vacation. Virtually every budget can find a vacation that fits. To reminisce. Many people travel to relive fond memories. Some will revist old places, or people to rekindle memories from a previous vacation, childhood or other memory. All of this focus on travel, food, and souvenirs, is really about buying an experience, and a sentimental journey.
There are nine perfect reasons to start planning your next vacation. Our upcoming cruise is a tenth reason. Many of us can be reluctant to understand the importance of time away from routines and stress factors. This is mostly a self induced state. Let’s make it a new generation of downsizing working vacations, and start understanding that it is not only our work that defines us, but our true calling and passion. Though we may feel we have a lot to lose at work. All of us have a lot more to lose if we can’t grasp the importance of enjoying the here and now.
Dedicated to your success,
Liz Galloway, Spa Image Advisor
Lotus Effects
Spa College International
80 West 200 North
Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
Apt. 314
Quepos, Costa Rica
801.637.5235
888.223.0633 x 103
www.lotuseffects.com
www.spacollegeinternational.com
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