What True Rest on Vacation Really Means
My travels have often been filled with adventure and exploration, covering as much ground as possible and immersing myself in different experiences and cuisines. However, when I return home to rest, it's most often after a long weekend spent sailing or soaking up the sun at the beach. Typically, I don't rest on a vacation; I focus on seeing and experiencing what the location has to offer.
A Nod to Modern Travelers
As I get older, I find that I need to rest more than when I was younger. For extended trips (more than 3 weeks), I include a day for leisure about two weeks into the trip. This can be a day with no activities or one where I engage in activities that involve being in one place for a long time. Taking vacations to the beach or going on cruises, where rest is often forced upon me, also serves this purpose.
Hiking, Camping, and Staying Busy
I enjoy hiking and camping, so during these activities, we stay busy by participating in multiple trips. However, we do take cruises to relax between ports, allowing for some down time. Yet, this goes against the philosophy of maximizing one's vacation experience.
Shifting the Mindset for a Better Vacation
The right mindset for a vacation is to make the most of the limited time available. Reading a book during a vacation should be considered an exception. Starting a vacation with a healthy balance of rest is ideal because you are likely to be fit and ready for any unexpected busy nights. On the other hand, ending a vacation with a negative balance of rest can mean you have strained your reserves and need to recuperate.
Rest Management in the Workplace
The workplace environment is the perfect place to manage your balance of rest. Before leaving for a vacation, delegate as much of your responsibilities as possible to others, distributing the work effort to them as you go on holiday. When returning, broadcast the message that you have done an excellent job and now need some downtime, which allows you to read a bit and shift the work to others.
The Art of Short Breaks
Doctors and nurses in hospitals manage their rest in 15-minute intervals within a 24-hour schedule. They complete their tasks and then take a brief rest, allowing them to maintain their alertness throughout the night. This technique can be applied during vacations as well, breaking up the day and evening into more manageable segments.
Professional Massage for Physical and Mental Relaxation
The ultimate solution for managing rest during vacations is to visit a massage parlor. In a 30-minute foot massage, trained professionals work to relax your muscles and mind, reducing tension. Though they do not have advanced degrees, these professionals can provide significant value in helping you achieve a state of rest and relaxation.