The Power of a Daycation
April 10th, 2009 |
By Jason Wasser, LMFT
Click here to contact Jason and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile
A few weeks ago, I read that Warren Buffett, one of America’s most influential investors, likened this country’s escalating fiscal woes to “an economic Pearl Harbor”. In my practice, I find that my clients are handling the financial crisis in ways that they never thought they would. Some talked about screaming at their spouses and children, while others talked about drinking to take the edge off at the end of the day. But the majority talked about the depression they are trying to fight. Feeling stuck and overwhelmed, their resources seem limited given all that is going on in the world. And no one ever wants to feel like they are stuck where they don’t want to be. Doing something for themselves can sometimes seem out of the question.
A different Buffett, Jimmy, the musician and savvy businesman once mused, “if life gives you limes, make margaritas”. Inspired by the words of the Mayor of Margaritaville, today I did just that! A close friend of mine and I closed up shop and headed down for a daycation to the Florida Keys to enjoy the therapeutic healing of the water, sun, sand and good conversations with friendly locals.
In South Florida, just like any other big city, we get stuck in our day to day life, the fast pace of transitioning between work and personal time and the blending of the boundaries between the two. But for a few hours, my phone went unanswered, my emails went unchecked and my stress melted as my friend and I took the time for some much needed rest and relaxation.
There is much to be said about the types of therapies for the myriad of physical or emotional challenges out there. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and under utilized resources is the practice of having a mental health day . According to a poll of over 1,000 employees, ComPsych, a provider of employee assistance programs, reported that eighty-two percent of employees have taken a mental health day to help cope with overwhelming stress in their present life.
Unfortunately, many people miss the point of how to utilize one of the best resources available to them. A simple but profoud mental health day or daycation, can be the most rejuvinating and insightful personal experience in today’s economy. A mental health day doesn’t have to cost anything, doesn’t have to be preplanned, and certainly doesn’t have to be hours away from where you are. These daycations, may just be what you need to get out from under the pile of stress, reevaluate your priorities in life or even just spend those extra few hours of time with your friends and family that you always feel guilty not doing. Its that change of environment that can allow new and helpful perspectives to flood in.
Right now, the most important thing you can do for yourself and your family is to incorporate little opportunities for self care. Many of us may have even neglected this part of our lives before the world was thrown into its most recent perils. The question you need to ask yourself is “how can I take advantage of even the smallest opportunity to make this situation better for everyone around me and especially myself?” Be it a new hobby, enjoying free live music, tapping deeper into your spiritual practice, or even a daycation. The “changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes” philosophy of Mr. Buffett is certainly a healing perscription we all can benefit from right now.
©Copyright 2009 by Jason Wasser, LMFT. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Jason and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile
9 comments so far
My decation is gardening… There’s something so relaxing and calming just out in my yard, a little breeze while planting flowers.. I love it and it just puts me at ease.
I think its a wonderful idea to take time out. I almost feel guilty taking time off from work to enjoy the earned vacation and personal time off. I relax just by sitting outside, listening to the birds, relaxing in the pool with a drink in my hand and its just me.
There are families out there right now who cannot even afford to get away somewhere even if just for the day so I am a firm believer in taking up a hobby that is relaxing and enjoyable for you, and that may cost absolutely nothing. I like to go for a long run to ease my anxieties, but for others who do not like exercise as stress relief they may try reading or even a day trip to a local free museum. It lets you not only enjoy the finer side of life but also lets you escape your worries even if just for the day. The point is to just do something that leaves you feeling just a little happier and this will not only help you but others in the house too.
Could I get one of those daycations today? :-)
Aren’t there world wide models that show other economies to be more productive than that here in the United States because they actually encourage their employees to take more time off instead of working so hard every day that they live? i know there are days that I would feel much more productive even with the opportunity to talke an afternoon siesta much less a random day off here and there no questions asked! Think of how much more effective we all could be if only that was an option!
Anyone been to Morocco or Egypt or even Mexico. People take a good 2-3 hour siesta. Sometimes even half an hour to oneself can be a good pick me up. A daycation in times of recession is more important than at any other time.
Oh I have a secret daycation. I hit the gym sometimes mid-week when work aint too busy. My colleagues wonder and my boss thinks I visit my grandma who is in a home near work. :p
I am a beautician and believe me when I say this. We go days on end without rest, food when we want to eat or even a chair to sit down. I think everyone needs a daycation once in a while. Sometimes I like to take an hour’s permission and hop behind my shop to my sister’s and get a massage. That does it for me!!
Aahhh.. Daycation. That sounds so good right now. But in reality, I do like to sit outside, listen to the birds, glance at my new flower garden and take it all in. That usually does it for me. But i’m ready for my real vacation!!