Why Taking Daily Vacations Will Make You Happier

With deadlines to meet, errands to run, events to attend, exercising, dieting, a week of meals to prep for my family plus, growing my new biz Always Sunday, my life is based on responsibilities—and my stress level is high because I always meet my deadlines plus, I’m punctual. After all, I’m a person who can function under high pressure. And who can blame me for my passions? In a society where Berocca is the answer to extra energy and working late is the key to getting ahead, it’s sometimes difficult to recognize the difference between my excuses and exhaustion.

Although ignoring my obligations isn’t an option, taking daily vacations in order to collect myself is exactly what I need to become more efficient and happier.

A daily vacation is time planned for enjoying yourself. Taking at least an hour or two out of your day and spending it to rekindle your soul.

Here are 5 ideas on how to take daily vacations:

1. Have coffee or tea time alone

Just you with a drink in hand (not alcohol, gurl) and some peace and quiet allows you to rest your mind for a few minutes. There is something therapeutic about sipping a hot beverage as it allows you to slow down and contemplate about life and be grateful for your blessings. And as you know, being grateful feels like a vacation.

2. Disappear at lunchtime

While it is fun to go out with the family or friends or co-workers for lunch, booking a table for one is sometimes what we need to quiet our minds and appreciate our meals at the same time. A quick lunch break by yourself is like a temporary restraining order from talking and engaging but will give you a more permanent and positive impact on your life. Eating alone is not sad. Eating alone sometimes means learning how to enjoy your own company because if you like your own company, you never have to rely on others to be happy. Also, you never have to share your food!

3. Go on a digital detox for an hour or two

WHAT?!! I know. Our mobile phones have become part of our hands, it’s like an additional finger—it’s hard to function without it. But just like, let’s say, losing a finger (OMG! Don’t lose a finger), it allows the other digits to develop stronger muscles to compensate for the missing finger. Sorry about this analogy it’s a bit morbid. My point is, turning off our phones or putting it on silent mode for at least an hour exercises our ability to engage in the real world and find positive ways on how to entertain ourselves (try reading a real book). An hour or two away from our gadgets allows us to flex our brain muscles by brainstorming ideas, finding solution to our problems and let us become more creative. Checking our text messages, Instagram, Facebook, or whatever you app we choose takes our mind away from the now.

4. Take power naps

I don’t like taking naps but my daughter Aryanna swears by it. When she used to be in school and working part time as well, she would take 30-minute power naps in the car or at the study hall in DLSU. According to her, the result is a boost of energy and some clarity. In Aryanna’s words: sleep makes you learn and perform better. Tulog na me.

5. Meditate

I started meditating three years ago when I wanted to lose weight. I knew I had to condition my mind to eat healthy food and it worked. I lost almost 30 lbs. (however, I gained some of the weight back—long story but I will tell you all about it on another blog post)! Even after I shed the pounds, I continued on the path to mental wellness by listening to different mediation apps to relax, help me manage stress and to be mindful.

The usual sitch. I meditate as soon as I wake up in the morning and yes, in my pajamas and Metallica t-shirt. It allows me to start the day positive and relaxed.

“By the practice of meditation, you will find that you are carrying within your heart a portable paradise.”

– Paramahansa Yogananda

Our true inner nature is bliss as is reflected in the name given to this great spiritual teacher; ananda means bliss. At first we get brief glimpses of inner happiness during our daily meditation practice. As we continue and lengthen our time of meditation on a daily basis, this inner contentment is accessible during more and more of each day. We come to realize that this bliss is our very nature and that it overshadows any outer source of happiness. Paradoxically, this makes it easier to be successful in a world we find increasingly supportive of our worthy goals.

Learning to meditate was one of the best things I’ve done in my life. I wish I learned it sooner in life because I would have been more focused on my goals and managed my stress better.

Meditating every day, for at least 15-30 minutes, makes a huge difference in how you approach life, how personally you take things and how you interact with others. It also helps in managing anxiety, stress and overeating. Omm…

How to take daily vacations:

Enjoying a daily vacation takes commitment, some planning and the willingness to take pleasure in short breaks, rather than waiting for a long vacation time—time that too often never seems to be available. A break is just a pause in your normal routine. By doing so, you not only get to enjoy your “vacation” time, but you will find yourself enjoying more of the other parts of daily life too.

What I learned from taking short mental and physical breaks is that the true strength comes from accepting that I’m a human being who needs to recharge. I am not a robot.

What are your thoughts about taking daily vacations? What challenges do you encounter in planning an hour or two of alone time?