We all know how important it is to stay on top of our mental health and try to create a life that isn't constantly filled with stress, whether we do this through lifestyle changes, exercise, and mental wellness activities in the aim to help balance our highly active and depleting lifestyles. In my experience, society as it stands doesn’t seem to care too much about improving mental health in a proactive way, only identifying it when it is considered toxic.
So we often have to take things into our own hands and ensure to find a balance that works and which includes making sure we take a break every now and then. I am not talking about a working vacation or brief getaway that is too short to be anything but symbolic but a proper break from it all when finances allow. We need real time to decompress and let the world wash out of our thoughts. To remain resilient in the workplace, in public, at home and when parenting, we need time away from the constant pressure of life.
Disconnection is not the same as running away from problems, however, distance from your daily surroundings will create new perspectives, and we will start to look at familiar things in a new light.
For me, there is something about digging my toes into the sand and listening to the rhythm of nature and the coastline. From my extensive travels, there are a few places that are truly special and allow me to step away from work and social media, those include the Isles of Scilly, Levanto in Italy, Cape Tow in South Africa and Mercure Maldives Resort.
Fine white sand beaches, comfortable breezes, slowing down and reconnecting with nature free us from the tension we often hold without knowledge. We become familiar with stress and don't realise what we carry until the moment we feel that tension dissipate.
When you cannot get away for whatever reason, its also important to try and implement some stress reduction or mental health improvement techniques. Our expectations are the source of most stress. How we expect things to happen or what behaviors we expect from others are a source of constant letdowns. Set realistic expectations, whether for family, friends or business relationships and goals.
Surround yourself with people who lift you up mentally and spiritually. Our experience in this world is affected by various factors, and who we are with is a big one. Have you ever gone to a concert only to have it ruined by another concert-goer? Treat every day as an epic show you don’t want to miss and the ticket was expensive.
I participate in community programs, when I can, that enrich the lives of others and produce the same effect for me. When you get back from your vacation, have a plan to replace negative routines with positive actions. While work is stressful, we can’t just quit, so make the changes where you can. Maybe it is time for a career change.
Only you know when that time has come. The employer/employee relation paradigm has shifted to favor life over work. Remote employment options abound for those who are serious about living a happier life, but the transition is not an easy one.
If you feel that you are ready for a big change such as downsizing or moving abroad to a country that allows for a better life balance, then start researching and putting things in place. For now, plan your vacation to get away, empty and engage your mind in the solutions needed for a better experience in the years ahead. You are worth it.
