Real People Real Talk

The Power of Taking Time Off: How Vacations Boost Mental and Emotional Well-Being

• Paul Calcote • Season 5 • Episode 14

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Ever felt guilty about taking a vacation? You're not alone. Join us in this eye-opening episode of Real People, Real Talk, where we reveal the astonishing benefits of vacation for your mental and emotional well-being. We'll share compelling statistics from a Harris poll that show you're not the only one feeling anxious about requesting time off. Through scientific studies and heartfelt personal stories, discover how taking a break can reduce stress, elevate your mood, and even enhance your creativity and productivity.

Whether it's a weekend getaway, a staycation, or a dream trip to New York City, we highlight the importance of making vacations a regular part of your routine. Listen to touching anecdotes about how capturing memories through souvenirs like coffee mugs can bring lasting joy. We tackle the common guilt professionals, especially teachers, feel when taking time off and underscore the necessity of rest and self-care. Tune in and challenge yourself to prioritize your well-being by planning your next vacation today—because your mental health is worth it!

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Speaker 1:

Welcome and thanks for tuning in to Real People, Real Talk, relevant conversations that take you from surviving to thriving. This is the podcast that goes there. My name is Paul Calcoat and I'm your host. Now let's talk. So today we're going to talk about something that many of us know that we need, but we often neglect. And what is that, Bae?

Speaker 2:

Taking a vacation.

Speaker 1:

Yes, Taking a break, stepping away from work and allowing ourselves to recharge.

Speaker 2:

So here's the deal. We live in a fast paced world. Our lives are often consumed by work, responsibilities and the constant buzz of technology. But in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, vacations offer a special and precious opportunity to hit pause, step back and recharge opportunity to hit pause, step back and recharge.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, but a recent harris poll revealed that 78 percent of employees do not use all of their pto. That's crazy, I know right can't be mean. And 49 percent get nervous when requesting time off.

Speaker 1:

That's even crazier hear this and hear me well. This episode is all about overall wellness, as it relates to your mental and emotional health. As the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 2.24, there is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink and find enjoyment in his tool. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. As long as you are keeping God first, it is okay.

Speaker 1:

the hand of God as long as you are keeping God first, it is okay it is more than okay to let your hair down and to enjoy this life that God has given you.

Speaker 2:

You only get one For real, and vacations are not just a luxury.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

They're a vital part of maintaining our mental health, so in this episode, we will discuss the importance of vacations, backed by scientific research and practical tips on how to make the most of your time off.

Speaker 1:

A vacation isn't just about lounging on the beach or sightseeing in a new city, though these activities are quite enjoyable, as I must say from experience, experience. But the bigger picture revolves around prioritizing your well-being, as studies will show that taking regular vacations can reduce stress, improve mental health and increase overall happiness, as we have been, you know been beneficiaries of that when we take our time off, primarily in the summer. And so the first segment we want to talk about the psychological benefits of vacations.

Speaker 2:

All right, yes, uh, according to the american psychological association, what they say chronic stress is one of the biggest health challenges in the united states wow it can lead to anxiety, depression and a host of physical ailments such as heart disease and hypertension. That's crazy. So taking a break from our daily grind allows our minds to relax and recuperate.

Speaker 1:

That's so true, man, because during a vacation, as the studies show, our body reduces the production of the stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, reduces the production of the stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This psychological shift helps to improve your mood and promote an overall sense of well-being. I must say this after a vacation, when it's planned well, I always feel better and I just return in a better place mentally and emotionally. And I want you to think about the time when you were deeply immersed in a project or deeply immersed in a stressful situation in your personal life. How did you feel during that moment and after that moment? Now, contrast that with the memory of a relaxing vacation. The difference is often stark, and on vacation you likely felt lighter, more cheerful and less burdened by your usual worries. Now let's talk about segment two.

Speaker 2:

Another significant benefit of taking a vacation is the boost in creativity and productivity it provides. When we step away from our regular routines and expose ourselves to new environments and experiences, our brains get the chance to rest and rejuvenate. This break often leads to improved problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, because I remember a couple of times when we went on our road trips I felt more creative and I would come back with different ideas about our life, or different ideas about having fun, or even different ideas for the podcast and different episodes, by just being exposed to a new city, a new restaurant, a new way of doing things. Vacations they often allow me not to have an alarm clock, not to have a to do list, but simply to live, exist and enjoy.

Speaker 2:

A study from the University of Amsterdam found that individuals who took time off from work returned with enhanced creativity and were more productive compared to those who didn't take breaks. The change in scenery and the freedom from daily responsibilities allow our minds to wander, which is essential for creative thinking.

Speaker 1:

I love the city that I live in, Houston, and it is great and lots of things to do. But even with that, we all need a change of scenery from time to time. And before we move on, Bailey, let me ask you this why do you think people often overlook the importance of taking vacations?

Speaker 2:

If I had to say. I believe it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life, believing that taking time off is a luxury and we can't afford it, but the truth is vacations are essential for our mental, emotional and even physical well-being. Now let me ask you this what about the guilt some people feel when they take time off?

Speaker 1:

And personally, that's hard for me to relate to, because I believe, as an employee, you earn those PTO days, you earn those vacations and there should be a system set in place where, if you're off, your work will be covered as long as you do your stuff ahead of time. But for whatever reason, sometimes there's a sense of guilt for some people when it comes to taking a vacation and taking a break.

Speaker 1:

but hear this it's crucially important to recognize that taking care of ourselves is not selfish, but rather necessary yeah as the old saying goes, we can't pull from empty cup, and by prioritizing our well-being we actually become better employees, better partners and better friends, in my opinion.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you know, it starts with changing our mindset. Yeah, you know, instead of viewing vacations as a luxury, we need to see them as an investment in our overall health and happiness.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's. It's imperative for our listeners to realize this you deserve time to rest, you deserve time to recharge, you deserve time to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. You deserve that. So please don't deprive yourself of that.

Speaker 2:

Don't hesitate to book that trip.

Speaker 1:

Don't hesitate to book that trip. Don't hesitate to unplug from work and don't hesitate to enjoy some well-deserved fun.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I agree.

Speaker 1:

Now, moving on to segment three, we want to talk about how vacations will strengthen your relationships.

Speaker 2:

Um, yeah, so spending quality time with loved ones away from distractions of daily life strengthens bonds and fosters better communication facts whether it's a family trip, a romantic getaway, a vacation with friends, these shared experiences create lasting memories and deeper connection that is so real and reflecting on my own life.

Speaker 1:

Some of my most cherished memories involve vacations or time away with family and with friends. These trips have really provided, you know, the opportunities for meaningful conversations, lots of laughter. It's like once again we're exposed to a different scenery, a different pace, different food and often different weather. So it is essential, my friend, for you to take time to rest, to get away, to have fun, thus creating precious memories with your loved ones.

Speaker 2:

Memories, memories, memories, exactly, and my mama voice. Now for segment four practical tips for taking effective vacations. So we've covered why vacations are essential. Let's discuss how to make the most of your time off.

Speaker 1:

And if you know me, you know I love to plan. So the first one is to plan ahead. Please ensure that you have all your work responsibilities covered before you leave Delegate tasks, inform your co-workers about your absence to minimize stress and to minimize interruptions during your vacations. The better you prepare and plan ahead, the more smoothly your vacation should go, because the last thing you want to do is to have work constantly on your mind because you didn't plan ahead and you didn't get things covered in your absence. What else, bae?

Speaker 2:

you know I heard pto stood for prepare the others right, because I ain't gonna be here, because I'm not gonna be there I run this time and so prepare the others, prepare the others.

Speaker 2:

Um, number two disconnect. So try to unplug from work related communications, whether that's your email, whether that's you getting on the internet and getting on whatever website you're supposed to get on for work. Um, you know, disconnect and unplug from those things. Set boundaries by letting your team know. Prepare the others. Okay, that you will be unavailable, except for the emergency cases, of course. But not everything is an emergency. Some people don't know when, what an emergency is exactly, okay, know.

Speaker 1:

Some people don't know what an emergency is Exactly. Okay, know what to address and know what to ignore. Yes, let them know.

Speaker 2:

Let them know what the emergency situations are. So they already know Okay, that's not an emergency. And then this just allows you to fully immerse yourself in the vacation experience.

Speaker 1:

Yep and moving right along. Engage in relaxing activities. Engage in those activities that will promote joy, promote relaxation, and please avoid I had to learn this myself please avoid overscheduling your days. Leave some room for flexibility.

Speaker 2:

Praise him.

Speaker 1:

Leave some room for spontaneity, hallelujah, and leave some room for even sleeping in sometimes. Praise God, hallelujah. And leaves the room for you to sleep in. Sometimes, thank God, you don't want to get home from a vacation tired because of a super fast pace that you had while on vacation. By just simply doing too much.

Speaker 2:

Too much. But what you can do is practice mindfulness. Talk about it While you're on vacation. Practice mindfulness to fully appreciate the moment you know, whether you're eating a meal, taking a walk or simply just sitting by the beach.

Speaker 1:

focus on your senses in the present experiences that you're going through so much because, bae, as you know, at any time on a road trip or vacation or just time off from work or time away from Houston, at any random moment during a vacation actually several times I make sure that I will grab your hand, and no matter where we are, I just say soak it in.

Speaker 1:

Soak it in bae. In other words, let's slow down, practice mindfulness, cherish this moment and even thank god for it. Right and so, moving on to our fifth and final segment, overcoming vacation guilt.

Speaker 2:

Let's talk about it many people feel guilty about taking time off, fearing that it might reflect poorly on their work ethic, but it's important to overcome that mindset please do, um, there should be a balance.

Speaker 1:

When you're at work, work hard. When you're not at work, play hard, all right. And in between all that, um, worship god hard. Yeah, go all out for him. So remember that taking care of your mental and emotional health is not a sign of weakness, but a crucial part of maintaining your overall productivity and effectiveness. Release all of that guilt.

Speaker 1:

Go and enjoy the life that god has blessed you with amen and before we conclude, let's get personal, invite the people into our lives. They got all the vacations and you know, things that we've done, that we've been privileged to do and blessed to do. What are some of your favorite moments from our vacations, whether it's a specific place or a specific activity?

Speaker 2:

um, I feel like we have gone so many, so many places. Um, sometimes it's hard for me to keep city straight because we've gone to so many different cities. I think one of my favorite vacations even though we did a lot of driving on this vacation um, one of my favorite ones was during covid year. Um, we decided not to like fly anywhere or go anywhere. That was like super, super busy. So we did like a road trip, um, and we went to like Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore and just things that we wouldn't naturally just say, hey, let's go here and do this. You know, uh, stuff that we wouldn't do, and so I think that was one of my favorite road trips, because it was like a slower pace and we were just kind of like looking at some things that God made and it was just truly, truly neat to see like the earth and just plants and just a lot of nature and it was like super refreshing because Yellowstone Park.

Speaker 2:

Yellowstone. Yeah, it was just super refreshing because it's like you know, it's not stuff that we're going to do every single day. Right, we live in Houston. It's a big city, it's highways everywhere, so just to drive somewhere and see just greenery for like miles was super, super cool. So I enjoyed that vacation for sure.

Speaker 1:

And another thing related vacations be sure, when you're out, take a lot of pictures so you can cherish the moment. Um and look back and be sure to get souvenirs. Um, my souvenir of choice is the coffee mug and the cool thing that I incorporate I got various coffee mugs from various cities that we have visited. So each time I drink coffee it's kind of like a good, tangible reminder and sometimes in that moment of drinking coffee out of that specific mug, I just thank god again for allowing us to visit that place. Or sometimes I'll text my wife and say you remember when or what's your favorite moment from this city? Um, but to answer the question I posed to you, I have a lot, because really any time anywhere, long distance or short, anytime with you is always great. So you're hard you know, spit the game.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, give me those brownie points, but for me it have to be our trip to New York.

Speaker 1:

It was in conjunction with a mission trip, and so we did the mission trip in Long Island, so they had the ministry component us serving together and after the mission trip was over we spent some time in New York. And I don't know what it is about New York City, but I love that city. It's such a magical place. I'm from Mississippi so it's a very fast-paced place to be and so many people there like there's more people in that city than it was in my original home state and a lot of times not just planning a lot of things to do, but just sightseeing and walking down those famous places Times Square and so my favorite moment would be anything dealing with New York. Just love that city, because when you watch movies growing up and you watch TV, you see New York being the background of so many of them. But enough about us. Let me say this to you, my dear listener, who I affectionately call a thriver taking a vacation is essential for your mental health. Taking a vacation slash, taking time off.

Speaker 2:

I used to feel guilty about that, like as a teacher, you know, I would feel guilty. I used to feel guilty about taking time off because it was like, oh well, I mean if I gotta do this and I gotta mean if I got to do this and I got to do sub plans and I got to do this and I got to do that, and then my kids will be behind. You know so, so many things. But this past year maybe it started the year before, but I know for a fact this past year I would just take a day.

Speaker 2:

I've noticed that I tried to, because I travel a lot for volleyball. I tried to like coincide with that, Like if I was actually going to be traveling somewhere. I tried to take that day before I started my travels and just have a day just for me, like whether I wanted to go get my nails done, get my feet done, get a massage, just chill at the house. I just took a day, and so that happened a lot more often this year and I think it truly did help me as far as like stress levels and different things like that through this year, because life is rough.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Like you go through so much in life and some stuff you just got to brush off and keep on moving. And so take the time Right, take the time.

Speaker 1:

While you were saying that, that made me think of, like, one time I took a vacation day and it wasn't for a trip, it wasn't to go out of town, but it was simply to rest, to sleep in, to lounge around. I worked out, spent some time with the Lord, but just to rest. Life can be hard, so you need to do whatever it takes to prioritize your mental and emotional health. Be a great worker, have the spirit of excellence, work hard. Let people see the light of God shine in you, that you love the Lord and you work hard. So this is not about not working hard. I mean, be a great worker, be a great employee, but also enjoy the benefits that you have, including your PTO, your vacation, your time off.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah and listen. Taking vacations they reduce stress, it boosts creativity and productivity, it strengthens your relationships and it allows you to return to your daily life with a refreshed perspective. Definitely, so don't wait for the perfect time to take a break.

Speaker 1:

Never a perfect time.

Speaker 2:

Never. It'll never be a perfect time. There'll always be something there's always something.

Speaker 1:

There'll always be something. There's always something this project or that assignment.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's always something. So prioritize your well-being and make vacation a regular part of your self-care routine.

Speaker 1:

And once again we say vacation. It doesn't have to be some long, expensive trip to an exotic place. It could be a weekend getaway in one city over, or it could be a staycation doing some fun things in your own city, or it could be just taking a trip and just spending time with family and with friends the main things that you take the time off to enjoy life, to relax, to be renewed and to be refreshed. And as I wrap up, I want to leave you with this challenge Schedule your next vacation to take some days off. Once again, it doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't have to be extravagant. Do what works for your budget and do what works for your season of life. The main thing is this Carve out some time to rest, to, to recharge, to reconnect with yourself and loved ones and to really just have fun and enjoy life.

Speaker 2:

Trust me, you won't regret it so be sure to check the show notes for related episodes about all things vacations, road trips and how to make the most of your time away and until next time, take care and make time for yourself and remember your mental health matters.

Speaker 1:

Now go, be all that god has called you to be and we out you.