RootedOnTheVine deals on self-care based on biblical principles so you can fulfill your God-given purpose.
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In the 1970s and 80s, a personal products company created an advertising campaign with a slogan that became embedded in American culture: “Calgon, take me away!” Whether the idea that a luxurious bubble bath could mentally transport you away from stressful triggers fomented with a popular commercial from 40-plus years or not, we now know that it can indeed be an effective self-care strategy when you need a brief mental respite.
Nonetheless, the tub soak is no substitute for being able to physically remove yourself from your daily routine, which makes the mental separation much easier to accomplish. Experts have long advocated taking vacations as essential to our overall well-being – not just for parents to get away from work, but for kids in school, as well. If you’re ready to pack your bags, we hope the following tips will help.
Sell yourself on the idea
It can sometimes be hard to convince yourself that you need to get away. You may be thinking about all you need to get done, at work and at home. You feel like your brain doesn’t have a shut-off switch as it calculates how you will possibly fit all of your critical “to-do” items into the week. If that sounds familiar, then rest assured you are doing the right thing by planning a self-care getaway.
No one disputes that the majority of us need to make a living. However, even if we love our jobs and careers, a lopsided emphasis can take a toll over time, and negatively affect the quality of our work. And that was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has only exacerbated our feelings of stress and anxiety.
Parents and adults don’t have the corner on stress, though. According to the American Psychological Association, teens have been experiencing more stress since 2013 – long before COVID-19 entered our vocabulary. Many are not getting enough sleep, which can heighten negative emotions. Adequate sleep is even more of a challenge during the school year.
So, if you’ve been experiencing doubt about the validity and necessity of a getaway, rest assured that the experts and the science stand firmly and soundly behind you.
Creating the escape plan
If you’re just planning the getaway for you or as a couple, that can simplify things; if you’re adventurers who love the outdoors, a camping and hiking trip may be just the thing. If you’re planning as a family with children and teenagers, however, it can get complex. Get input from the entire family; even if you have the final say, you’ll be able to frame any necessary compromises a bit more fairly once you understand everyone’s preferences.
Be clear about your budget, as that can easily narrow your options, or expand alternatives. For example, if air travel is expensive because it’s summer vacation season, see if you can save money by driving, with multiple stops and “mini-breaks” along the way. Or, postponing your trip to the “off season” may net you more bang for your buck.
If money is really tight and a destination getaway is just not realistic, don’t underestimate the value of the staycation. Just be sure to adhere to your rules for disengagement from work and other everyday responsibilities.
Part of your escape plan should include your work. Ideally, you want to completely disconnect from work, and this includes checking emails and answering calls. ZenBusiness points out that work and vacation are highly incompatible, so it’s important to have a plan to unplug. See about distributing some of your work among colleagues, or find out what can be tabled. Let your customers know you’ll be away, and prepare a succinct out-of-office reply.
When packing, try to take only what you really need, and if you can, encourage your children to pack for themselves. The less you all take, the easier it will be for everyone, and you’ll have fewer items to keep track of. Just be sure to throw in a few extras like power cords, phone chargers, a collapsible shopping bag, and a first aid kit.
Don’t let the planning get the best of you!
Planning a vacation should be an exciting time, filled with anticipation. However, depending on how complicated your home life is, such as with pets or financial concerns, it can also add to the stress you are looking to escape. Then, once you have the pre-planning activities out of the way, crowds and delays can rear and create anxiety all over again. Be realistic about and plan for these inconvenient realities; they’re just part of the process and the unpleasantness will quickly fade when you allow yourself to unwind at your destination.
Your long-awaited getaway won’t solve all of your problems, but it just may work better than the bathtub in helping you and your family recharge enough to help deal with them more calmly and rationally when you return.
This is a guest post by Beverly Nelson.
Beverly Nelson created StandUpForCaregivers.org, which aims to protect and advocate for the health and well-being of adult caregivers.
