The Stress of Taking Time Off
Summertime is a great time to take a nice relaxing vacation – right? As it turns out, many of us struggle to relax on vacation. We are either worried about the work we have left behind or the work we will find when we return. Some of us feel vaguely guilty about the whole idea of relaxing and taking time off. Others find the process of planning a vacation just too stressful.

Only 14 percent of Americans will take a vacation two weeks or longer this summer. Even those that do take a vacation often take the office with them – using beepers, cell phones, e-mail and faxes to stay in touch.

Managing Your Time off When You are Focused on the Office
The Washington, DC, area is filled with hard-charging policy wonks, attorneys and business people who work long hours at the office and find it challenging to let go and relax on vacation. If you have a problem letting go of work, consider the possibility of making as much of a commitment to relaxing on vacation as you make to your job or any other activity that you value. Because we lead such busy and stressful lives, taking time off to relax is essential to staying healthy and to be able to keep going at the fast pace that we often do.

If you must check in with the office while you are on vacation, set aside specific times when you will call, rather than spending the whole day thinking or worrying about the office. Say to yourself, I will call the office every other day at four, and then do that so thoughts about the office do not dominate your day. This gives you a chance to relax.

Consider creating a “to do when I get back” list. This acknowledges that you will deal with important issues, but it also allows you to take time off.

If too much relaxation is difficult for you, consider planning some specific activities on vacation to keep your mind distracted from work. However, don’t overdo it with a vacation schedule that never stops.

Consider Vacationing at Home
For those people who find planning a vacation stressful or can’t afford an expensive vacation away, consider vacationing “on the premises.” There are no bags to pack and drag, no airport delays, no jet lag or reservations to make, no hotel expenses or itineraries to organize – and the dog doesn’t need to go to the kennel.

The key to having a relaxing vacation at home is to make a deliberate effort to take time out from your normal activities. Consider putting away the clocks, the cell phone, the laptop and the blackberry. Let voicemail pick up the home phone so you can decide which calls you want to return, if any.

Take day trips and enjoy the area you live in. Try to keep cooking to a minimum, unless it’s something you love. Stay out late on weeknights – go to that museum you have wanted to see for the past year, or consider concert tickets.
Don’t do any house work – don’t work on the yard or clean out the garage or the closets. Instead of doing chores, make an effort to enjoy yourself. (Check out the magazine Real Simple online – the August 2005 issue has about 25 ideas on how to have a great vacation at home.)

Take a Short Vacation Rather Than No Vacation At All
If you can’t bring yourself to take off for a few weeks, consider taking off a half-week plus weekend. Consider a vacation without a purpose or agenda. Rather than visiting family, attending a wedding or going to Disneyland, think about a vacation that doesn’t involve much planning.

Often, we are so serious about our vacations that they lose their sense of fun. Try goofing off – not having an agenda or an itinerary. So many times people come home complaining that they need a vacation from their vacation. Don’t leave home tired and come back exhausted – it’s not worth it. Remember – it’s not goofing off if you are taking it all too seriously.

Ronda Bresnick Hauss is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of the Quiet Waters Center for Trauma, Stress and Resilience, on Capitol Hill. She uses an integrative & holistic approach to psychotherapy – addressing the connection between the mind, body and spirit through the use of traditional talk therapy, meditation, visualization and creative, non-verbal techniques. She can be reached at 202-544-5050 and is on the Web at www.quietwaterscenter.com.