Vacation: Who needs it?

I've been thinking a lot about vacation. Not necessarily because summer is near, but because I need one, and bad.

There've been many articles and news segments lately about summer vacation destinations, insane gas prices, the downward spiral of the US economy and how many people are giving up their vacation plans because they "can't afford" one!

Huh! I say no way Jose! Your body and mind more than likely can't afford to NOT take one.
Stress is one of the biggest killers in this country. Stress can develop into so many serious illnesses. From cancer, to heart attacks, to depression, and obesity. Now is NOT the time to for go taking some time off. I mean really, por favor, forget about the US economy for awhile, we didn't get into this mess over night..so things won't be changing much over the summer. Now is a great time to focus inward, on your own body and mind and spirit..ask it what it needs....more than likely some time to rest and truly relax...

I know this year I can't afford to fly away to some tropical island paradise, as I had hoped and originally planned! Yeah, the price of airline tickets shot up like a skyrocket back when Aloha Air sun...so we won't be hitting those Hawaiian beaches after all.
¡Pero no me morira!
It's not going to stop me from taking some time away from work and all my major responsibilities. I mean that's really what vacation is for, some time off from the routine that occupies most of your time, your mind, and your body--time to reset yourself.

I find that even when I take a Friday or a Monday off from work and have a three day weekend, I feel so much more recharged than the usual two days that never seem to amount to very much rest. En serio, my back strain goes away, my eye strain goes away, and I feel so much more rested with just that extra day. So can you imagine how awesome I'm gonna feel with 7 days of not getting on the freeway during rush hour traffic thru Downtown LA! Like I have died and gone to heaven!

I've been on the fast track with my schooling taking a very big toll on my body since my school is in NYC and I've had to fly there once a month since October of last year. Don't get it twisted though, studying to be a Holistic Health Counselor has been a phenom' journey and worth every back ache and every dollar! It's just that my schedule gets thrown off every month and I have to work hard to bring myself back in balance. My day job is in a very laid back and supportive environment, pero ni modo gente, I find that just having to get up and get in my car and pay almost $5 a gallon to drive 23 miles one way to my day job...has finally gotten on my last nerve. I know that's why my back went out...and why I crashed into my boyfriend's car last week, and have been irritated with my puppy Fellini, and why I can't seem to really "care" about my work...my body is stressed. When there is too much stress on the body, it starts to effect the mind, and then the spirit and your overall sense of well-being.

It's all connected.

So my time off is right around the corner. July 1oth I won't be waking up early, and getting ready in a hurry, while I make breakfast and carry it with me out the door as I eat it from my lap while on the 5FWY en route to Downtown...no, uh ah, no way.
I will be savoring my pillows, and relaxing in my bed, for as long as I want with my man by my side. I'm sure Fellini will love it too...we'll be able to spend more time taping his soccer playing! He's pretty good too..for a maltepoo!

¿Y tu? When are you gonna take some time off?

Live a good life,