Yesterday was a beautiful day in New Jersey. So lovely that I couldn’t work inside.
With a few precious hours of needing only my notes, I sat in the shade on my back deck and “worked.” As the creativity and sacred energy poured through me onto paper, I thought how much fun I was having. It didn’t seem like work at all. Far different than sitting in my office typing away, even though I enjoy mostly everything about the creation process.
I had to take a break, a breather of sorts, in order to watch the clouds race, the wind and trees dance, and my little jaguar dog patrol the perimeter.
The delight heightened as my breath deepened. I didn’t need an expert to tell me the benefits of taking a break in nature. I felt the relaxation seek the tiny tight muscles and invite them to soften. In the warmth of the sun, the slight breeze sought those pesky thoughts so they could be blown away.
If working outside and taking a breather felt so good, I imagined what days on end of relaxing in the natural world might do for me.
The research is pretty consistent. Whether you’re in nature, having a stay-cation, or exploring a new place on the planet, taking a vacation is beneficial to your overall wellbeing. Improvements in mental health, physical health, improvements in family/friend relationships, increased motivation, decrease potential for burn out, and a lovely boost in your happiness meter are a few of the findings.
So, what’s holding you back?
When you look at all the usual hesitations such as having too much work, too little money, or too much muchness in the family household schedules, you see why people crash the vacation dream before it begins.
There is one catch. Happiness only increases when the vacation is truly relaxing.
You gotta plan this well to reap the benefits. First things first: no work. Oooops. I may have to rethink my upcoming trip to the mountains. My plan was to relax, immerse in nature, and catch up on my coursework. The idea of no work at all, even the extracurricular kind, feels a bit challenging. I’m going to have to let that plan go.
If you’re heading somewhere fun with lots to do, build in time to hang out, take naps, linger over meals, and get a good night sleep.
This is important for your return so that your boost in happiness and wellbeing continue to linger along with the good memories. I’ve been on whirlwind vacations to other countries where I haven’t wanted to miss a thing. Building in long lunches and late afternoon hang outs on the balcony balanced the exciting stress of discovery in new locations.
Set up your reentry plan before you head out on vacation.
Plan your travel so you aren’t exhausted. Once back to the office, give yourself ample time to check email and messages. Create a light schedule on return so you get into the swing of things. All the strategies that you know about are truly wise as they not only help your return, but they help you stretch the benefits of taking a vacation. Research suggests that not only are you happier, but you are more productive before and after vacation when you follow these parameters.
And while you’re at it, why not build some downtime into your day?
After my silent retreat in January (which was delicious), I created a free hour in the middle of each work day. Its made a world of difference. I’m working on getting outside as much as possible during the summer days of warmth and light. This is medicine for my Soul. I’m happy to work an hour after dinner just to create that open space in my day.
You find what works for you.
If you think life is too busy for you to take a vacation or a breather, you may want to think again.
Research reveals that 30% of men who don’t take vacation have a higher risk for heart attack. For women, this creeps up to 50% and also increases the risk of depression. That’s enough of that bad news. Especially as you have the ability to change those odds for yourself.
On that note, I’m off to take a walk.
Since I value my wellbeing and recognize that no one can do this for me, I’m stepping out.
Peace be with you and with all. No exceptions.
There are a few simple ways to combat global warming. First, become educated. A simple Google search and 10 minutes will give you the perfect idea for you. Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation. The more often you leave your vehicle at home, or drive an electric vehicle, the greater your contribution. Limit waste heading for landfills. You can share, refurbish or donate goods. Compost or limit waste. Use detergent sheets instead of plastic jugs. Don’t be fooled: plastic recycling is ending up in landfills at an alarming rate. All these small changes lead to large changes. My easy favorites? Plant trees (obviously), cut back on Amazon convenience orders, and radically limit waste across the household. Love your Mama. Your great grandchildren depend on that love.
Learn the one essential skill that allows you to face any challenge with confidence, sturdiness, and inner calm.
More than a technique. It’s a game changer.
ia Sophia has arrived. This “Way of Wisdom” offers an invitation to step upon a Living Spiral Path and discover a new understanding of what it means to embody the Mystical Feminine.
For the past fifteen years I have lived and taught within the Mystical Feminine. I have sat within many circles and immersions with women as we explored how to practically and powerfully engage Feminine wisdom in everyday life.
When my daughter was in eighth grade, she and her Girl Scout troop were beginning to explore ideas for their individual Silver Award projects.
Around our dinner table, we tossed around possibilities. Nothing landed. Nothing stirred real interest. So we encouraged her to do what we have always trusted. Stay open. Listen. Pay attention to what people are talking about in the world.
Driving into Soul Sanctuary last weekend, I noticed the trees were engaged in a wild dance.
I should have paid closer attention as I got out of the car, because the wind nearly took me with it. Walking to the door, I had to lean in and brace myself for a moment just to stay upright. The cold whipped through my clothes and found every uncovered space, sharing its bone-numbing chill.
We recently had a big snow in my neck of the woods.
Everyone was hunkered down. The fridge was full, chicken soup was bubbling on the stove, and my book pile sat patiently on the coffee table. As the snow covered the neighborhood and the plows dumped fresh mounds over our carefully shoveled walk, we took turns peeking outside.
As a kid, snowstorms were pure joy.
“I think we need to be friends.”
Those were the first words out of my mouth when I introduced myself to Rev. Hilda Covington. We’d just finished a county meeting of nonprofit mental health and social service agencies. She was the presenter that month. We almost didn’t meet because Hilda arrived an hour and a half late to a two-hour meeting.
Life has a rhythm. It speeds up and slows down according to mysterious forces.
Your personal rhythm dances with the celestial bodies, seasons of the year, developmental phases, and the pulse of your Soulful evolutionary process. Living in harmony with these rhythms is in many ways hard to understand as it is a complicated and deeply personal process. Your rhythm dances with everyone’s rhythm in the grand Cosmic Dance.
