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What's the point of going on holiday?
Answers on a postcard please.
And on that postcard I want to hear that you are on a nice sandy beach, glass of wine in hand, enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Happy days - or are they?
In my extensive research - well family, friends, and clients actually - I have discovered I am not alone in often feeling unwell the moment I dust off the passport and slip on the sandals.
It's as if my body goes into detox. As I release my tensions and stresses, so my health takes a dip. This affliction doesn't limit itself to summer holidays either. I'm usually a victim of the Christmas bug thing as well.
So I ask again. What is the point of going on holiday?
I realise this question is largely rhetorical because we all know the benefits of relaxation, quality time with the family, slower days, and so on.
It's worth considering why we are uncomfortable with these annual changes, even if this discomfort is relatively minor.
My point is what this change in lifestyle tells us about our everyday lives and the quality of life we put up with for nearly fifty weeks of the year.
Ask yourself a couple of questions. Are you working too hard and allowing yourself to be put under too much pressure? Do you always wait for your annual holiday to find out how stressed you are or do you take regular short breaks to keep yourself in good nick? Short breaks could be lunchtime walks and weekly activities by the way. Little and often is a good motto for most things.
I don't want to scare you (you know what's coming), but if you don't manage these transitions or take control of your life quality, there is a serious risk these slight illnesses will become more serious.
Are you a slowly boiling frog?
I was speaking to a friend recently who works in the city. His story is frightening. Thirteen hour days. Pressure so great he's been experiencing heart palpitations. And a company that rewards this effort by telling him he can't take a two week break this summer - for the fourth year in a row. He's going anyway so good on him!
This may seem extreme but remember the boiled frog story? You were probably shouting at my overworked friend to 'get out of there' as you read about his situation.
Just like the frog who jumps into the pan of boiling water and jumps straight back out again, you can see my friend's situation for what it is. However, make sure you're not the frog who sits in a pan of lukewarm water which is slowly being brought to the boil. If you are, you're in danger of gently nodding off and perishing.
Take a look at your lifestyle and be objective: how healthy is it really? Better still, get someone you trust to act as a critical friend and confront what is working well and what is stressing you out.
Start doing what you love
As I mentioned, my own research into holiday illnesses is somewhat flimsy. However a more robust piece of research has been published. It reveals that two thirds of us return to work with feelings of intense stress. On getting back to work, three quarters of us immediately experience stress levels similar to those before we went on holiday. Click here for tips on managing stress after the holidays.
Look honestly at yourself. You shouldn't need to get to the heart palpitation stage to know when things aren't quite right. Don't blame the holiday for making you a bit off colour. Celebrate it as a healthy temperature check.
My advice is to take a look at what you do and start doing what you love. This may mean taking the slower lane, and perhaps even traveling further. A British Medical Journal study of Shell Oil employees showed that people who retire at 55, and live to be at least 65, die sooner than people who retire at 65. After 65, the early retirees have a 37% higher risk of death than counterparts who retired at 65.
Find work that's so enjoyable it doesn't feel like work. And keep doing this for as long as you can. My father did exactly that. He still keeps his hand in and he is in his eightieth year. It keeps him young. And out of my mother's way!
I will sign off with a quote from Herman Cain, which sums it up rather well:
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
As for me - I'm off surfing with the family in the South of France for my summer break. Let's hope my only stress is finding a bit of shade.
Sharpening the Axe will return in September with a 'back to school' edition. I expect you all to be on time, paying attention, with books open and eyes on the blackboard, and thoroughly refreshed after a fabulous holiday!
Happy holidays.
Tips for managing stress after your holiday
- Reconnect with friends and relatives. Talk about your holiday and savour the good times you had.
- Before starting work, remember some beautiful moments you had during the holiday.
- Try to revive your memories. Photos always help.
- Start work with an activity you've wanted to do for some time but that has been continually delayed.
- Think about your next holiday! It will help you to relax and feel better.
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