Mini-Retreat Vacations

My definition of mini-retreats = a 1 to 4 day mini-retreat a couple times each month. Add to that daily getaways during a lunch break, an afternoon in your backyard, or an evening walk or soak in the tub. A mini-retreat is still getting away from reality, and is like a mini health infusing bomb going off inside you.

A mini-retreat can be done on your own, or with a professional company. If you're paying for a retreat, make sure they're legit. A listed "therapist" or "counselor" must have a degree & instructors should be very experienced.

I recommend daily physical & mental relaxing activities especially if you're in a stressful situation. If it's your job - use your lunch break. Walk or bicycle for 35 minutes to get your heart rate up on a nature trail. Avoid traffic - it's noisy, stressful, and the air is unhealthy. Then enjoy your lunch before heading back inside.

If it's your marriage - take time for yourself to work on your feelings & shortcomings. Yes, we all have 1 or 2. Then have a non-judgmental conversation with your spouse. Start with a complement, then let him/her know that when they say or do this, it makes you feel like that. FYI: I'm not a professional - so consider the option of a professional marriage counselor.

Connect with Others

It's unhealthy to isolate so make time every week to connect with a friend. For the in between times, a pet can work wonders. Everyone needs friendships & human touch so make it a goal to have 2-3 best friends. Join a group to make friends: sports or outdoor activity, crafting, bible study, yoga, etc.

Travel

Mini-retreats reduce stress, improve physical wellness, and improve mental focus & attitude - a great health bomb.

Better Sleep

As you practice taking control of your unhealthy feelings/symptoms you will notice "it" has less and less control over you. When this happens, your quality of sleep will improve. See how walking helps increase sleep: Walk to Live a Better Life. Also see sleep hacks: Lack of Sleep Makes us Looney Tunes.

Temporary Escapes

Sleep was designed to empty the mind every night so if that's not happening it's critical to find time every day to unplug and recharge. A great time to focus on relaxing is in the evening. Relaxing yoga stretches, a hot bath, are getting peaceful thru meditation/prayer are super helpful.

Travel for a one hour getaway, an afternoon in your own backyard, or a weekend mini-retreat for a health infusing bomb of fun. We all need fun ways to feel & be healthier.

Connect with Yourself

First learn to recognize the feelings & of stress, anger, self-doubt, weakness, or anything negative that starts to consume your thoughts. Or it could something simple - like being tired & worn out. Once you feel "it" creeping in, take a 5 minute break to be alone & somewhere quiet. 2.

Take Control

Use methods like prayer to release the feelings/symptoms, meditate on your power source, and breathe deeply to help restore inner peace. If you're worn out tired, you need to take care of yourself - read a book or listen to music in a lounger in the sunshine, or take a long, hot bath. Then hit they pillow earlier than usual.

Mini-Retreats for Mini-Health Bombs

• Fruit orchard - go to an fruit orchard and pick your favorites.

• Take a spa day - get a full body massage or foot reflexology.

• Volunteer for 1/2 day - choose a non-profit that does what you enjoy. I volunteer at a therapy horse ranch and it restores me every time I go.

• Go to lunch with the girls or guys, then visit a museum, aquarium, historical home, or ?

• Pack a lunch and head to a quiet beach or nature site and read a book.

• Hike, bike, or kayak somewhere and be sure to get some sun. Go alone or with friends.

• Head to a theme park and LOL all day. Maybe try a new ride & overcome your fear.

My definition of vacation = at least 5 days long taken twice a year, or a 2-4 week long vacation once a year. The point of vacations is to get away from the daily blahs & stresses, and to get refreshed & optimistic when handling life's difficulties. The longer the vacation the better the health bomb you can experience.

The skies the limit with vacations - from a few hours from home to far away lands. Of course the destination depends on budget and time you have. Just experience each day to the fullest. Vacations are health infusing in so many ways - and totally awesome.

Staycation

For vacations lasting 5-7 days, a staycation is an option which might include 4-5 days within a few hours away from home or a couple days at home without the kids For single people, a staycation can be a few days at a friends house, or you could switch it up and try staying in a local treehouse, B&B, or dude ranch.

House Swap

Do a house swap and have a great vacation with free lodging. Depending on length of stay, you could go fairly local or to another country. Choose reputable sites to make sure the house swap it's legit and safe.

Volunteer/Work Vacation

Volunteer vacations are awesome and are a great way to help someone out. You'll typically work (volunteer) 5 hours/day for 5 days (at least in the USA). In return you receive free room & board. The length depends on their needs. I like farms/ranches because you get to work with animals. How do horses help us? Horses Help Heal.

Did you know, better health & wellness is easier to achieve when you're away from your every day tedious routine, to-do lists & chores, and juggling kids & jobs? All types of getaways & vacations are opportunities for you to escape your reality and have some amazing fun times. You'll get recharged & more relaxed. Vacations are great health infusing bombs that provide so many restorative benefits:

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance isn't new concept, but it seems most of us don't apply it. Based on my own experiences & research - many people are more interested in chasing bigger paychecks while some people feel the need to please others and take on too much. Meanwhile, life passes you by. You've missed too much....and you don't feel complete. Start practicing work-life balance - work your 40 hours and then do what's more important: spend time with family, friends, and yourself.

Mental Health

Your mind needs a break from reality to reset, and the longer the vacation the longer the benefits last. Vacations help to restore mental health and improve focus. They also lower stress that the mind has been holding onto.

Physical & Heart Health

If you sit all day for your job - take the opportunity to help your body restore itself and stay active. If you have a job that keeps you physically active - then give it some time every day to rest & recuperate, like getting a massage & lounging on the beach. Vacations are a great way to improve your physical health, and therefore better heart health, lower blood pressure, and other health benefits.

Job/Life Burnout

Even though you're able to somewhat manage stress, problems, and long to-do lists that bombard you every day - over time you can easily experience burnout. Even house wives that juggle the house & kids can experience burnout.

Burnout mode = mental & physical health suffers. Working mom's might get burnout more than men because they may handle more of the household & child raising duties. Life can be exhausting - so don't let yourself go thru job or life burnout. Take mini-retreats & longer vacations for your sanity & wellness.

Better Sleep

Usually you start to sleep better within a few days of being on vacation. No more alarm clocks or dreading the office sink into your subconscious mind. When you get a good night's sleep, your brain can do it's job and empty out to start with a clean slate the next morning. If your brain doesn't empty, you'll feel like you've barely slept and the same stress & drudgery will remain the consuming thought.

Improved Relationships

By managing stress better - you'll be able to decrease the tension that can potentially rage inside you. Vacations help you reduce stress by removing you from your reality and allowing you to relax & recharge. When your mind & insides are calm - your relationships improve and you're no longer (unintentionally) project your internal tensions onto others.

Job & Hobby

As you relax into your vacation's enjoyable routine - your mind & body begin to restore itself back towards peak operating condition. This means when you return to normal life - you can experience increased job & hobby performance, creativity, and productivity.

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