I’ve been back from holiday for a week now, and have serious post-holiday blues! This is an unknown phenomenon for me, as usually once I’m back I barely give the holiday a second thought. But this time it was so great that I can’t stop thinking about it.
While this one is up there as a serious contender for Best Holiday Ever, I don’t think it’s just the stuff we got up to on the holiday itself that has left such a mark. Before we went, other than 5 days off in September last year, I hadn’t had a holiday for 18 months. Or in fact taken any real holiday time off at all. In that time I’ve made big changes and been through very stressful situations, all while just keeping on going. I hadn’t thought much about it, as you just get on with the day-to-day, but with the benefit of a bit of rest and relaxation and some headspace I realise now exactly how ready I was for the break.
Two to three days into the holiday I started to get ill and came down with the biggest nastiest cold-thing I’ve had in at least 10 years, which I think was my body adjusting to suddenly doing nothing. I was determined not to let it spoil things, but it definitely took the wind out of my sails for a good few days and the remnants of it are still hanging around now. But thankfully, the other thing that’s outliving the time away is the relaxed, rested feeling!
Working long hours for days on end can have a real negative effect on your mental and physical health, and I’ve come round to the idea (finally) that it’s really important to take regular breaks, if only to:
De-stress – Stress has an impact on our minds and bodies – we need time to wind down. Holidays are great for catching up on sleep and recharging. There’s nothing like a little siesta in the middle of the afternoon, just before cocktail time!
Get inspired – I always have loads of ideas on holiday and the time to read, think and take in new experiences is really inspiring. I wish I could bottle that feeling.
Motivate myself – Holidays are great to help re-motivate. I always come back with some sort of ‘resolution’. They don’t all get stuck to but I like the feeling of rebooting that I get from it
Eat, drink and be merry – Laughter is a fantastic medicine and having fun with friends or lovers has to be one of life’s ultimate greatest pleasures. Plus you get to try loads of new food and drink.
I did find it hard to switch off and I did still check my emails and think about work while I was away, but for the first time in a long time I’ve been reminded how much better I feel and perform when I’ve given my mind and body a break! Already looking at destinations for the next holiday…
