Rejuvenating Yourself Can Make You Become a Better Worker

Let’s just say it: all work and no play makes for a very dull person indeed.  Not only does “all work, all the time” produce grouchiness and fatigue, it has major consequences for the professional side of things, since it actually reduces job productivity. And, by contrast, according to Forbes magazine, research shows that vacations — real vacations — actually increase productivity.  The logic is simple: people are more likely to be effective and energetic when rested.  (How much more productive?  The figure ranges from 40-80%, depending on which psychologist you consult.)

After all, brains and bodies need time off to re-group and replenish reserves. Taking a break  allows the physical self to rebuild, and the mind to relax.  Have you ever come home from work exhausted, and clicked on “Lifetime for Women,” just to blissfully escape with a chick flick?  Ever notice how, after the movie’s over, that pile of paperwork suddenly looks do-able, and not so threatening?   Routinely breaking for a real hiatus from the norm is a great long-term strategy to safeguard your health – and one you will most definitely regret skipping, once you get into the habit.

Let’s get started: the first chunk of your ‘”escape” is the dreaming part, as you look through itineraries and photos of lovely places to stay.  We suggest you consult with TripAdvisor.com for real-time reviews of hotels, tours, restaurants and sites. (Yelp is growing overseas, but is not as abundant in useful information as TripAdvisor.)

The second chapter in this plan is to choose a vacation that suits your particular situation:   Need some sun? Looking for exercise?  Want pampering?  Hankering for intellectual stimulation?  Ready to savor some time alone?  Prefer time with a group?  Before you choose a trip, figure out where you are at this point, and what needs would ideally be met during your time off.

Here are some ideas women might enjoy for each of these categories:

Sun: If you feel the need for radiant, sunlit vistas (to escape the gray gloom of winter, for example), don’t narrow yourself to a beach vacation.  Sun can also be part of a trip to Morocco or Greece, which have warm climates starting as early as April, and stretching right thru November.

Exercise: Need to go all out with some physical activity? Choose a walking tour or a fitness destination like Ixtapan Spa.  You don’t  have to break the budget to stay at a spa/fitness resort, and flights to Mexico are pretty reasonable all year around.  Many fitness resorts are now called “health resorts,” so when searching, check out exactly what they offer on a daily basis, not just now and then.

Pampering: Most vacation tours will offer a good hotel with facilities to fulfill your need for indulgent relaxation: hotels of 4.5 stars and above usually have a gym, in-room spa services, and can recommend other amenities nearby. Going to Turkey or other Middle Eastern countries? Definitely try the massages and Turkish baths called “Hammams.” If you do choose a spa, make sure they have full-time staff, and at least ten treatment rooms available at all hours.

Brainiacs: Choose a tour that has insightful experiences, a reading list, a speaker if possible, or one that includes history and culture. Travel + Leisure offered a good list last year, or check out Roadscholar.org.  Intellectual stimulation can be as rejuvenating as a fitness/spa experience:  it is longer-lasting and often quite addictive!

Need some alone time: Choose a big city like New York or Paris, where you can be alone but not alone. Try Viator.com, a lesser-known gem of travel info, to hook up with local tours if you want to be guided around, but don’t want the obligation of a group tour.  And as always, to get started, read over solotraveler.com.

Want to meet fellow travelers: Try The Women’s Travel Group package tours, where like-minded women participate in a travel experience.  You don’t have to be a chatterbox or social animal to be in a group tour — just want to take advantage of a full-time guide, private bus, and have company whenever you wish.

Happy traveling!

Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group