Relaxation is one of the elements of physical fitness. Along with flexibility, stamina, strength, endurance, and cardio, relaxation is the fifth and most important and least recognized element. Tense muscles can’t strengthen, and endurance and strength both rely on having time to regroup. After a time of hyper-activity, there is a need to quiet the mind and let go of the tension, but how do we do that?
Here’s what I’ve been learning about relaxing and renewing my energy while on vacation.
- Changing the environment gives you a jump start on relaxation. It’s great staying in a place that doesn’t call us out to do something. A VRBO rental is outfitted with all the essentials, and only that. Looking around there is nothing calling to you to declutter something, organize something, or fix something.
- Keep it simple. This time we stayed not very far from the airport. We got groceries and ate in, or if going to restaurants, we scheduled our meals in-between everyone else’s lunch and dinner time.
- Remember a vacation just involves a change. Avoid the temptation to see and do everything in the new environment. My husband used to long for what he called “a vacation vacation,” where you do less rather than more. Otherwise, you need a vacation from your vacation when you get home.
- A vacation is a change of focus. By now I know the drill, my granddaughter’s rehearsal schedule and our lives revolve around getting her to her rehearsals to get ready for the dance recital. We do the next thing needed to help that happen.
- It helps me while I’m on vacation to stay connected to some familiar routines and people that ground me. My online Tuesday selfcare class helps me take care of myself during the time away from home.
- Float and soak – The pool at our rented condo was delicious. As long as I didn’t run out of sunscreen, I could spend a lot of time letting the saltwater hold me up. After all my doing, and overdoing, that was a terrific respite and recipe for relaxation.
- Nothing beats a spa day, and the ancient Aqua Caliente tribe’s spa was just named the best spa in the United States. Having been there during our Christmas vacation we had intended to go directly there upon arrival but the holiday weekend meant there were no appointments available until the day before we left. Turns out that was the best time. After “taking the waters” yesterday I’ve never felt this relaxed boarding a plane to go home.
Now that we made our connecting flight in Dallas and we’re on a plane that has a crew, it’s likely that we will make it home tonight. This pause gives me time to be grateful that I have a life, and a vacation interesting enough to have something to recover from.
