I Need That Vacation Right Now!

So, you've worked hard all year and you're exhausted and desperately in need of a holiday. Well I am not surprised. If you're an American, then you reside in just one of two countries which don't have a legal requirement to give vacation days. Only the US and China don't have these requirements.

The normal vacation days for other countries averages about two weeks. Some have more but by far the maximum amount of vacation days are located in the European Union with 4 months and France a whopping five weeks. No wonder we Americans can be so stressed out.

You might be lucky and work for a company which supplies you that much needed time from a couple weeks, but it's a frequent practice in this state to have your sick days be taken out of your vacation days. That sucks!

A holiday of any sort whether it is a cruise, a visit to the islands or simply a couple of days in the cottage is extremely therapeutic. We need that time away from all the pressures of work and daily life issues. On holiday the strain starts to melt away and we enjoy every moment of it. It is the gift we give ourselves for all the hard work we do.

I really do believe that it enhances our health when we go away and experience a new environment (of our choice) and have that time together with family or good friends. This might sound funny but you can reacquaint yourself with your loved ones. With all the hustle and bustle and driving the kids to soccer practice or dance class, the assignments and fathers meetings, mothers PTA, work, shopping etc., we're living in the fast lane. I say go camping with your children and bring down the pace to a degree where you can actually breathe and relax. Or go on a cruise and let yourself be pampered.

Whether you're married or single, have kids or not, all of us seem to want and cherish those days off from the fast pace of life. Some folks take their whole vacation all at once but you can stretch it out with mini holidays. Think about doing two or three day moves in a cabin or on the ski slopes. Having 3 or 4 mini holidays throughout the year might be more beneficial as it is possible to experience very different places and have more chances to unwind.