No matter how busy your summer is, you need a vacation. Whether that means two days or two weeks, your subconscious is begging you to get away and forget about all your responsibilities; even if only for a moment.
I took two classes this summer and I work full-time. I like to keep busy, but I didn't think I needed to take a break from this lifestyle until I actually did it. I realized how much my mind and body was asking for it, but I was too stubborn and determined to see it for myself.
The thing about working and routines, is that we slowly drown ourselves with our day to day lives. We become so immersed in our responsibilities, we forget what it's like to just let go of that anchor that pulls us down and float in the water for a bit.
Here are three vital reasons why a summer vacation could benefit you more than just continuing to enslave yourself in your working environments.
1. Taking time off recharges your productivity and ability to perceive new directions.
There is a definite connection between taking regular breaks during the day and your level of productivity. While these daily breaks can keep us going over the short term, it’s vital that we take longer breaks from work to sustain and even build on our ability to remain agile and productive.
We can burn out if we overwork ourselves or put too much stress on our minds on a daily basis. Our perception becomes clouded and we begin to do things at a bare minimum in order to not burn out.
Being away from work for a longer period of time will allow you to gain a fresh perspective on the vision you have for your organization and of new ways that you can help transform it into reality.
2. Taking time off helps you understand yourself better.
A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me, "What is your passion?" I felt really disappointed in myself that I wasn't able to give an immediate response. I blatantly replied "Well, I don't really know yet."
When I realized that I started to define myself by my job description, I felt like I was starting to lose my essence of individuality. Not that I don't enjoy what I do, but I am more than my job description; I'm a human being with hobbies, desires, family, and friends. All of the aspects outside of your work and school environments should have a huge role in defining who you are.
Understanding yourself better as a person helps you excel in your work and educational realms, because you have more incentive to accomplish your dreams once they become a lot clearer.
3. Taking time off provides much needed mental therapy.
Going to somewhere different than where I usually am made me confront my everyday anxieties. I had to learn to be okay with being around people I'm not normally with. I had to confront waking up and not knowing what my day will be like or what exactly I'm going to do. I didn't check my emails, or worry about my grades, or think about work; I had to try and get out of my head and just be where I was.
The longer we go without taking breaks and going somewhere new, the more accustomed we become to doing the same thing over and over again every single day. We get so comfortable with what we typically do, we stop going out of our comfort zone. Doing something new or going someplace else becomes something foreign to us.
A healthy, happy life starts with a healthy mind. Sure, you could work out and eat healthy, but what if your mind still suffers with doubts, confusion, and daily stress?
Breaking the barrier you build around your mind will not only free you from feeling captive in your own environment, but will help you open yourself to new opportunities that will help you in your professional life.
Don't overthink or wait too long to do something that will better you. Take a risk; say goodbye; live in the moment for a while-- trust me, you won't be disappointed.
