Why You Need a Vacation this Year

My family just got back from a nice vacation. We spent our week playing with our kids and resting. It was a much needed respite for all of us. During the car ride back to our home, I was thinking about how bless I am to have a week to focus on my family. I fear, though, many of you are not planning to vacate this year. I want to encourage you to do it!! Go away and spend some time with your family or friends this summer.

If money or time away from work is an issue, try a weekend respite. We have some long weekends this summer (July 4th, Labor Day). Take advantage of these holidays!!

My husband and I love to go away. It doesn’t matter where, we just love to go. Well, honestly, we like to detach. When we go away, we leave all of the struggles, work, and cares behind. We can truly log out of the things that drain us and focus on what’s truly important.

A vacation should be a time to accomplish some things you normally would not even think about. Perhaps a day to read, or lay on the sand with no regard as to what time it is. Other than to eat, of course. It’s a time to do nothing or play hard. It’s up to you, do what you enjoy. More importantly it’s a time to focus on really important stuff – your family and friends.

By the time vacation week rolls around, I’m feeling pretty frazzled and worn. I need a break from time to time. And that’s completely ok. I physically, mentally, emotionally can not be ‘on’ all the time. While away this year I was able to focus on these things that brought some purpose to our vacation –

1. Rest – We all need a chance to rest. Our bodies are made to work hard, but they are also made to rest. Even God rested after He created for six days. Let’s take our cues from Him. He designed us and set a great example for us to follow. Take some time to rest and recharge your batteries. You need this whether you deny it or not.
2. Reconnect – Our fast paced society usually leaves our relationships wanting. We spend so much time focusing on work and other obligations that we need to invest some time into things that are most important; our relationships. The relationships that seem to suffer most are often the ones closest to us. If you are away from your husband or children during the day, you need some time to focus on them and strengthen your bond. Summer is the perfect time to do this since the kids are not in school. Use your vacation as a time to reconnect. Make sure you spend plenty of time together with no agendas. I call this “do-nothing” time. Time to hang. Time to play a game. Time to eat together. And best of all time to pray and read scripture together. Time invested in your relationships will always yield high dividends and is always worth the effort.
3. Reprioritize – Time alone with your family seems to highlight things you would like to be different in your life. This time of quiet focus should be used to think about your life. If your career is leaving you so depleted that you have nothing left for your family, perhaps it’s time to think about changes. I am not suggesting you leave your job the day you come back from vacay. Don’t misunderstand but every situation can be adjusted. Perhaps you do need to land a new job. I encourage you to think of things that you can do differently  that will help like creating more productivity, learning to delegate, and setting boundaries to protect your sanity and your family.

Vacation can be a time of meaning but it should also be fun!! Where will you be traveling to this summer? I hope you enjoy your vacation this summer.