Got a Summer Vacation???

Have you taken your summer vacation yet?
You’ve got another month or so before summer officially ends, so if not, get that break penned in on your calendar. Expedia’s annual survey indicates that we Americans do see the benefits of taking vacations with “39% reporting they feel more productive and better about their job upon returning from vacation and 52% claiming to feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal lives”.

My friend, Elaine Masters, owner of Drivetime Yoga (www.DrivetimeYoga.com), offers some wonderful advice regarding vacations and her specialty, road trips, in this week’s article.

"It's Monday but summertime daydreams are tugging at my attention. I've been browsing expat websites, pouring over travel magazines and I just returned from a great trip! Oh, guilt is tempting but daydreaming this time of year is natural. A recent survey conducted by Huntress, a British staffing firm, found that over 68% of polled workers admitted that they spent a good portion of the day dreaming about impending vacations. Another 25% said they noticed their productivity drop in the summer.Forward thinking companies have harnessed this natural "summer slump" by giving their employees a little more time off. Studies show that they reap financial benefits in a few months with increased morale and productivity, especially during the busy times of the year. For those entrepreneurs amongst us, it's hard to justify time away, but you can manage your desire to get outside, still get things done and satisfy that wanderlust. Here are a few tips:
If you're on staff, write up a proposal to your boss that includes tele-commuting or flex-time so you can have 3-day weekends. Be specific & have alternatives.
Travel-commute: Again managing your time is key. Bring your laptop/smart phone with you and set up a few hours a day to work. Turn things off on schedule or you'll negate the positive effects by staying online too long.
Break out of your rut and change your routine. Take advantage of the great weather to do some Yoga on the patio, the beach or at the park. Make stretching a prelude to your picnic lunch!
If you work at home and the kids are there, get them stretching too.

Denying your natural desire to go out and play can lead to frustration or worse, depression. Find new ways to nourish yourself with mindfulness and a little discipline. You'll be happier for it.

Here are two simple Road Trip Yoga Tips:
Get Present:
To be more focused and fight the monotony of longer drives, try 'rolling' through each of your senses. Approach this with a beginners mind, as though it were the first time you felt each experience. Listen to the noises of the car and road. Feel your back and legs against the seat and the vibration in your feet. Sense the space around your car and the distance between you and other drivers.
Stretch breaks:
About every 20 minutes, check in and feel what's going on in your body while in the car. Add little stretches and adjustments based on what you discover. Stretch slowly and deeply at rest stops. By stopping every hour, for even a few minutes to stretch and move more, you'll arrive feeling better, with less stiffness and be more ready to play or work."

For more stress relief tips contact Elaine Masters, RYT, info@drivetimeyoga.com www.DrivetimeYoga.comCopyright 2009 Elaine Masters, RYT - www.DrivetimeYoga.com. Used by permission.

Thanks Elaine!

This week: Schedule that summer vacation trip and start making your arrangements for getting away from the office, or at a bare minimum, plan a day or two off for complete relaxation and rejuvenation. No doubt, the work will still be there when you return but you’ll find yourself more productive, refreshed and ready to tackle it.
Have a great week!