Vacation vital to maintain health

Do you believe a vacation is a luxury or a necessity for your health and well-being?

The answer may depend on your culture, acquired set of beliefs and, of course, your employer.

Most Europeans treat a vacation as a inborn right, and holidays are considered a tradition. In West Germany about 95 percent of the workforce receives four weeks of paid vacation. Many receive holiday bonuses, some of which are 45 percent of the salary accrued during the vacation period.

Month-long holidays are taken in Britain, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, France and the Soviet Union. In France, a worker earns 2 ½ days for every month after the first six months.

In comparison, corporate America is far behind and even the upward-bound American worker is reluctant to take a vacation. Many executives pride themselves on taking little time off from their work. But industrial research shows this kind of overwork can cause executive stress, job burnout and many stress-related diseases.

Even if you love yoru job and brag that you work best under pressure, a period of rest and recreation may be necessary to prevent job burnout and restore creativity. New research on wellness estimates that 60 percent to 70 percent of all doctor visits may be related to stress and stress-related illness.

How can you tell when you need to get away from your job? Look for signs of peptic ulcers, hypertension, tension headaches, intestinal illnesses, asthma attacks and even possible cancer. You may note resentment toward work tasks, sluggish thinking, increasing reluctance to get out of bed and start the day, periodic depression and irritability.

Shape up and treat yourself to a deserved vacation. Recharge your batteries and let your mind and body rest.

If possible, do something entirely different. If you are bound to a desk, seek the outdoors. Mother Nature has wonderful healing powers. Vacations can be anywhere and do no necessarily mean traveling far from home. The nearby lake is a wonderful place to fish, float on a houseboat, ski or sail. The wooded parks are great for hiking, jogging or bird watching. Look for Indian relics on the banks of the river.

If you need culture, try the library, Fort Fisher’s Ranger Museum, Baylor’s museum and the Browning Library.

Remember it takes two or more days to unwind and adjust to a new routine. Allow plenty of unplanned time in yoru vacation. Most people agree that some of the most memorable events during a vacation were impromptu. Allow time to sort out problems and rehearse for the future.

Creativity often follows a time of rest and may come in unusual ways. A friend who had a pressing financial problem spent a week at his cabin on the lake. While gathering wood for a campfire, he said he suddenly found the answer. He rightfully credited the rest and relaxation with problem solving.

Another man returned from a trip to his father’s farm with renewed interest in his profession. The peace and simple life there helped him sort out his stressful lifestyle and reduced his workaholic tensions.

Many executives find their staff enjoys the challenge of extra responsibility while the “boss” is away. The time helps them grow professionally and the boss credits his vacation time to good staff development.

Spring is here. Vacation planning is necessary for your health and well-being.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1986