As you go about your daily routine, you will experience various states of awareness. Sometimes, of course, you are alert and focused on the task at hand; at other times during the day you are alert, but focused perhaps on television or a household chore. Sometimes you may find yourself daydreaming while at other moments you are engaged in an activity while on auto-pilot — for example, when you brush your teeth or do the dishes.
While you move in and out of various states of consciousness throughout your day, it is unhealthy to remain in any one state of awareness for excessively long periods. Your mind and body automatically want and need to take "mini-vacations" during the day. You will find that you will be motivated to change what you're doing if you've been involved for too long. If you sit at a desk for an hour, for example, you will probably want to get up, move around and stretch.
If you are at home balancing the checkbook, after a while you will probably switch to making a phone call, perhaps, or exercising. While enjoying a movie, you will move around in your seat to stay comfortable.
Continual adjustments and changes at every level of your being are crucial to your well-being. That is why taking at least a little time out for yourself every day is so vital — and why going on a vacation when you can is a healthy way to take of yourself.
In psychological terms, going on vacation is really going into an altered state of awareness. When you take a break from your normal routine, you rest both your body and your mind. Becoming engaged in activities that are different from your usual helps fulfill the need for change in a special way.
Literally "getting away" is part of the psychology involved. Going to another place reminds you of possibilities beyond those you ordinarily perceive. By experiencing new or different environments, learning about new cultures, and meeting new people, you become part of a larger world which then enriches and expands your perspective about your own life.
If you wait too long before going on vacation, however, you can easily become too focused on your own day-to-day routines. Little annoyances can become intense irritations because you aren't reminded of alternatives. If the repairman doesn't show up to fix the stove or phone on time, you may become furious. After a vacation and a broadened perspective, however, you may be more likely to take it in stride.
How can you find time for "mini-vacations" each day? How can you avoid feeling disappointed because you have built up expectations that your one or two week regularly scheduled vacation may not fulfill?
If you find ways to take appropriate breaks as you can, instead of believing you will make up for it at vacation time, you will be less stressed and therefore less likely to be disappointed when you actually do go on vacation.
On a daily basis give yourself the changes in awareness that you need. It is in the small changes to regular activities that relaxation and peace can be found. Simply bringing your lunch outside on a lovely Cape Ann day rather than eating at your desk, or taking a walk to the beach before breakfast, can do it.
Reading the newspaper (this one, of course) after dinner on the deck can do it. Try listening to a relaxation tape — these are wonderful assists to moving into states of deep relaxation. Play catch or croquet outside with your children after dinner while we still have the glorious daylight. Find your own way to be on vacation — playing cards, bicycling, meditating, sewing, reading, gardening — at least part of every day.