Today’s world is hectic. Lay offs and budget cuts have employees working longer hours, and some are worried about taking even a sick day for fear of being found dispensable. Kids are scheduled from the moment school lets out until bed time. There is little down time.

This non-stop schedule makes the need for a vacation more important than ever. The days of the traditional two week summer vacation are over. However, that should not mean the demise of the vacation. Everyone needs time away from the daily routine.

Too Much Stress Takes Its Toll

Life is stressful. Work and weekday routines have found their way into weekends. TGIF is a restaurant, not a sigh of relief for the break at the end of the work week. But all that stress of non-stop work and running around can be harmful to one’s health. Blood pressure increases, as does the chance for depression or a nervous breakdown. People who are overwhelmed with stress have weaker immune systems. They cannot shake a simple cold or else find themselves catching every bug that comes around.

A vacation will not cure all those ills, but it will help.

Get Out of the House

Time off from work is a good thing. Getting away from home is better. Being away from home means forcing a break in the routine. Yes, it might mean that the kids miss a ball game or dance lesson, but kids need a break, too, as they also feel the stress of their heavily scheduled day.

A vacation can be a three day camping trip, a week on the beach or a blow out trip to Disney World. It should be something that requires planning and reservations, for two reasons. First, reservations make plans for a trip concrete, rather than having them floating out there with a “one day we’ll go on vacation” promise. Second, a planned vacation gives everyone involved something to look forward to and time to rework schedules. A vacation is more enjoyable when knowing the slate of responsibilities at home is clean.

When packing for vacation, leave the lap top at home. Leaving the phone at home is not a bad idea, either. Going on vacation is getting away from it all, not bringing it all along. Give travel information to a trusted friend or family member, not to office secretaries or co-workers who often will not hesitate to call to ask even simple questions.

If nothing else, a few days away will leave the entire family refreshed and feeling a lot healthier.