Article June 24, 2002 Issue

On getting away from it all

By Merelice

THERE'S A LOT OF CURRENT REFLECTION (plus many books) on the value of balance in life. It has become a truism that people's lives are healthier and happier when they tend to all their needs: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Where does taking a vacation or having leisure time fit in?

I'm generally a strong advocate for vacations. Over the years as a department manager, I urged co-workers to use, not lose, their vacation time. After they returned from their holiday, they and their work were often refreshed—but not always.

So what makes the difference? How can you keep the self-care you seek on vacation from becoming short-lived self-indulgence? The answer depends on what your goals are. It is possible, by taking your thoughts and vacation experiences up to a more lasting and spiritual level, to gain greater peace, energy, and compassion. Here are a few vacation goals worth considering.