The Science Behind Vacations

Cat going on vacationI read some strange things. Today I was looking at an old copy of the International Business Times and saw an article that they published back in 2011.

It is important so I am reproducing the main body of the article below. Full details can be found at ibtimes.com/science-behind-vacations-why-we-need-break-299133

The Science Behind Vacations: Why We Need a Break

Let’s face it, you hate that person who comes back into the office after a vacation with a sunny smile and a deep tan. They feel rejuvenated, refreshed, reborn, but you just wish they would return to their cubicle and be quiet. But, before you go resenting them and their new lease on life, they may be onto something.

Research has discovered what we knew all along- we NEED a vacation.

More and more experts are urging workers to take full advantage of their vacation days to go someplace new, lie on a beach, read a book and do absolutely nothing- and not feel bad about it! Turns out, there’s some reasoning behind rediscovering the pleasure of napping in a hammock, swimming in the ocean and walking through the woods. These breaks from our everyday life have shown to be profoundly healing to our physiological and physical selves.

Vacations, whatever form they take, are a chance to unwind, regroup and take a step back to examine your life from a new place with a new perspective. Travelling, especially abroad or to a place we have never been before, allows us to temporarily leave our old life behind and adopt new customs, new ways of thinking and looking at the world that can cross over into our everyday lives.

Many people need the time and space away from what they experience every day in order to recognise harmful or self-destructive patterns in their life. Taking time to get away and visit a new place can highlight distinct lifestyle choices; when you are able to directly compare your life choices with others, you can come to a better understanding of your beliefs, practices and actions. By adding this perspective, you can see what you do like, and what, perhaps, you should change.

Another benefit to vacations is forcing you out of the daily rut that you have likely gotten into. Going to a new place can wake you up and shake up your sights, smells, tastes, and feelings. Experiencing all these new senses can help you to better appreciate the surroundings in your day to day life. Vacations can also help prevent burnout at home; by regularly taking the time to relax, you can prevent that overworked, under-rested feeling you know too well.

And what better way to experience these new senses than to simply let them wash over you as you sit back, relax and do absolutely nothing. When you do go on a vacation, take a break. Being idle is good for the mind, body and spirit. It is restorative, rejuvenating and, much like taking a long sleep, invigorates you to return to your life fully charged. A good vacation can help us to reconnect with ourselves, operating as a vehicle for self-discovery and helping us get back to feeling our best. This means no blackberries, no Internet and no working! You can’t take a break from work if you bring it with you.

Aside from your psychological well-being, your physical state can benefit from a few days off as well.

Research has uncovered a link between stress at work and overall well-being – and it’s not pretty! Trouble at work can lead to headaches, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, and can even cause a stroke.What is my job?

The best way to combat these symptoms is to slow down the pace and take some time away from work. Vacations can help keep us healthy by lowering our stress levels that can lead to other problems. The effects of a good get-away can last for weeks, as some research has found that after just three days of vacation, subjects had less physical complaints, slept better and were in an overall better mood than before the vacation. These effects were still present up to five weeks later!

BUT THE COST!!!

Don’t worry.

We can help.

Christian House Sitters offers rent-free vacation accommodation to our members all over the world and if you need someone to look after your home and pets while you are away we can help there as well by finding someone suitable who will do it free of charge.

Full details are on our website CLICK HERE

God bless you,

Ray

 

Christian House Sitters
is part of the registered charity
TLC Children’s Trust
UK Charity number 1156786
www.tlc-childrenstrust.org

 

 

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Author: housesitters

ABOUT Christian House Sitters Christian House Sitters is a Worldwide ministry that started in order to provide holidays for Christians and sitters for owners who needed a reliable Christian to look after their home, pets and garden. House owners do not pay anything to have their property listed. House sitters are only charged £25 per year and in return for this some enjoy numerous holidays each year. All fees from membership go to sponsor food for children at the Home of Peace Children’s Home in Kenya. This only supplies about a quarter of what is needed to feed the children so we urgently need sponsors. All funds go via our Registered Charity TLC Children’s Trust Charity Number 1156786 website http://www.tlc-childrenstrust.org N.B. Joining Christian House Sitters does NOT commit you to sponsoring a child or giving any support beyond your membership fee to these children. Although naturally if you want to support that would be greatly appreciated. We have some regular sponsors and other people who give an occasional gift. All are greatly appreciated. ABOUT RAY & MARILYN We are Marilyn & Ray White. A fun loving Christian couple who have been in Christian work for over 30 years. Marilyn was born in England but moved to Zimbabwe as a baby. At the age of 16 she moved to South Africa. Ray was born in South Africa and grew up on a farm. We met in Johannesburg and got married in 1966. Ray worked in business for many years then he worked for YfC in South Africa then went on to Bible College and Pastored a church. In 1982 we moved from South Africa to England. In addition to his theological training Ray trained in Psychology and since moving to the UK he has lectured in Psychology, counselled for the NHS and opened a Christian Counselling Centre. Marilyn is also a trained counsellor and manager. In addition to the counselling we trained Christian counsellors both in our local area and by invitation in other areas of the UK. In total over 700 people completed the training courses. Many are serving the Lord by working in or through their local churches. We also ran a secular Stress Management business. We are now semi-retired and focus our time and attention on Christian House Sitters and Ray also serves as a member of our Church Leadership Team. Ray also has an active preaching ministry and runs Christian seminars on subjects such as stress management for church groups. He has written two books. A Christian book that is a very practical workbook on Christian commitment as applied to real life. The book looks at how we can surrender ourselves more fully to God. This is looked at under the headings of Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual commitment. The book is called Let’s Get Serious. He has also written a secular book on Stress Management called Stress Overcoming this Potential Killer. (Ray was previously Chair of the International Stress Management Association UK). News Update This book has now been released as an e-book as well A few years ago we did a 2 month House Sit in France. Whilst there we felt the Lord leading us to set up a Christian House Sitting service. Since then we have done a number of other house sits. We believe this site will benefit many Christians around the world. Feel free to contact us (BUT please no spam) NOTE: If you want a fast reply the best way to contact us is via the contact page on the Christian House Sitters website www.christian-housesitters.com God bless you, Ray & Marilyn

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