Get healthy – take a vacation

According to EllenBarone.com, you need to give yourself permission to go on vacation. In her blog, travel expert Barone explains that vacations are not only good for the health they’re good for the soul too.   Barone says “Now, more than ever, you deserve a vacation” and offers a number of reasons why vacations are healthy and not just for the wealthy and wise.

Think back over the last year.  What stands out in your mind?  It probably isn’t the endless hours in the office. What you remember are the cooking schools at Gateways Inn or Manor on Golden Pond, the martinis at Deerfield Inn, or  the incredible moonrise over Camden Harbor when you stayed at Camden Maine Stay.  Perhaps it was the fabulous wine dinner at the Inn at Thorn Hill, delicious fireside breakfasts and tea at Rabbit Hill Inn or the simply falling asleep to flickering fire bedside at Chesterfield Inn or Captain’s House Inn. If you’re planning a vacation this fall or winter, you’ll be able to add memories of experiencing the newly renovated Cliffside Inn soon.

Ellen  Barone tells us that among the documented health benefits of leisure activities are a diminished risk of disease, an enhanced immune system, reduced obesity, and increased life expectancy.  According to the 2011 Annual Vacation Deprivation Survey conducted by Expedia.com, more than half of the professional adults maintained they came back from vacation feeling rested and rejuvenated, and more than one in three maintained that made them more productive at work.  Ahh, wouldn’t it be great to feel rested, rejuvenated and productive just about now?

Yet despite the fact that Americans have just about the least number of vacation days each year out of all the countries studied in the Vacation Deprivation survey, they still leave valuable vacation time on the table year after year.  Expedia.com’s vacation deprivation survey shows that on the average more than a third of Americans forfeit at least three days of their vacation time each year.

Summer is the ideal time to schedule a vacation.  From outdoor fun to spa packages and  culinary journeys,  summer offers the ideal time to get up and go.  Don’t let workplace or family pressure stop you from planning a vacation this year.  Remember, just like smiles, a vacation will add time to your life while offering the time of your life!