Vacation Mode- But I'm Still Stressed


Happy July FPA friends! Tis the season for travel, sunshine, pool days, and time off.

Except, even when the hotel is booked, the out-of-office message is set, and the bag is packed… sometimes our brains don't get the memo that it's time to turn off.

Why is it hard for some of us to unplug? Even in the best of circumstances, we can still feel restless, guilty, or just have a hard time relaxing. Some of us are too used to going a hundred miles a minute that we've forgotten how to slow down. Or we're just so out of practice slowing down, being still, and enjoying the moment that when we get the opportunity to take it easy, it feels hard.

Our fast-paced culture and productivity-driven expectations as well as our attachment to our digital devices can keep us constantly activated. We've grown accustomed to being available to literally the entire world every waking moment of our lives. The notifications keep coming. The to-do list is never actually complete. Our minds are chattering all the time, full of distractions and obligations that even on vacation the chatter carries on.

Friends, be sure you downshift when you're in vacation mode. Whether you're able to get out of town and to a change of scenery, or you're taking a day or two of 'staycation' be sure you prioritize all the types of rest. Physical rest being extra sleep or naps. Mental rest meaning a break from planning, organizing, or decision-making. Turn the phone notifications off. Don't check your work email when you're off the clock. Better yet, leave the phone in a different room for a few hours! Emotional rest meaning setting some boundaries, protecting your peace, and saying yes to something that brings you joy. Set some realistic expectations for yourself. Sensory rest being a quiet environment, a few moments of little to no stimulation. Creative rest of daydreaming, writing, crafting, dancing, or playing.

The lack of internal chatter and external noise might be awkward at first. That's ok. Keep practicing! Let it feel uncomfortable for a bit. Your mind and your body will thank you for riding out that discomfort to get to a place of stillness and presence. That moment of 'ahhhh' with a nice juicy exhale is right around the corner, friends.

Rest is a necessity. It doesn't need to be earned. Vacation isn't supposed to feel stressful, it's supposed to feel restorative. If your time off or time away isn't actually restoring you in some way, let's shift our approach to it. You deserve a break!


- Rae Cowen, LMFT

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