Vacations carry several great stress relief, health and productivity benefits. And, for those who really don’t have time to take days of weeks off and go somewhere exotic, there are mini-vacation ideas and relaxation strategies that only take a day or two. However, some people are so busy that they can’t even take an entire weekend or day off. If you find yourself in this situation, for whatever reason, you can still give yourself a break if you take a little time off each day, or every few days. The following ideas can help you stay refreshed without cutting too deeply into your schedule:
- Take some regular time to ‘goof off’. Remind yourself that it’s important for your emotional health to have some regular time for relaxation. And, in the words of John Lennon, ”Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”
- Build some hobbies into your life. Things like drawing or gardening can be great stress relievers, and can help you stay in touch with your creative side.
- Take on a regular stress management routine or two. (Click here for tips on choosing and staying with a new stress relieving habit.)
- Go on a ‘news fast’ for a day each week. Especially these days, when ‘the news’ is less often happy and reassuring, and more often threatening and depressing, it can relieve you more than you realize to have a full day without talk radio, newspapers, internet news and all the other ‘feeds’ you have bombarding you with information most of the time.
- If you want the fun and excitement of going someplace exotic, but don’t have the time or money to go, why not throw a travel-themed party? Have friends come over and bring food from a destination of your choice or theirs, do activities of other cultures, and have a night of foreign flavor without leaving your home! This can be a one-time thing or a regular event.
- Of all the stress management practices I know, one of the easiest and most fun to try is guided imagery. It’s basically a vivid daydream, and you can use it to go to the relaxing destination of your choice almost immediately, feeling at peace and physically relaxing yourself, then come back feeling refreshed. It takes minutes, and can be done virtually any time or anywhere!
- Once a week, have a spa night, where you just stay in, put on some music, and pamper yourself. Soak away your stresses and soothe your body so that you look and feel better when you’re done! This article has more tips for a great home spa experience.
