you look like you could use some rest

“You will break the bow if you keep it always bent.”  Greek Proverb

It is July 21st, and we are soundly in the middle of summer, a time when people take a vacation. Statistically, that is not the case for many Americans; instead, those folks choose to work right through vacation days.

This phenomenon was always tricky for me to understand. I tried to live by the maxim, “work hard, play hard.” I enjoyed both activities, and both were vital to a balanced, healthy life. I honestly cannot say that I regret ever taking a vacation.

Every year in America, around 212 million vacation days are forfeited, which translates to billions of dollars being donated to companies through non-required labor. The Center for Economic and Policy Research reports the following. “The United States is the only advanced economy that does not mandate any paid vacation time for workers, and it is one of the only countries that does not require employers to offer at least some paid holidays.”

So why do so many workers decide not to use this benefit when it is offered. (About a quarter of American workers do not receive paid vacation time which is a different issue).

So, what about you? Do you take adequate time away from your job weekly and yearly? If not, why? Here are a few possible reasons.

1.    Some people become so enthralled in their work life that their personal life hardly exists, and they cannot disengage from employment-related issues even when they do take off. It is beautiful to enjoy your work life, but when it’s the only life you have, something is missing.

2.    Some folks subtly feel that the company can’t do without them. They have an inflated view of their importance. Do you think it shut down when I retired from leading my church after thirty-eight years? Hardly! Vibrant continues to thrive without Don Hamilton on the platform each week, and I am delighted it is.

3.    Some employees feel that their boss or organization will question their commitment if they indulge in leisure time away. If you work for a company or boss with this attitude, perhaps it’s time to look elsewhere. I realize this is easier said than done, but you get my point.

4.    Some workers hate returning to a mountain of work after time off. This is often a legitimate worry. I remember returning to several hundred emails to answer, which made me crazy sometimes! However, there are two helpful solutions to mitigate this issue. First, a good boss can meet with employees who will likely return to this problem and allow them a grace period to get the work done and help them determine a priority list of the items they must accomplish. The leader can also delegate various parts of the work while the employee is away. Other employees know that the same grace will be given to them when it is their turn to vacation. Secondly, organize and prioritize the workload and set realistic goals for completing each item. You can only do what you can do!

This subject has been thoroughly researched for years to determine that health and productivity increase for both employees and employers, and the benefits far outweigh the losses of work hours.

Our bodies, mind, and souls are created to enjoy regular rest periods.

I probably don’t need to mention, but I will anyway, that God “rested,” took a break from His labor at least once a week, and he expected His creation to do the same. Our Father also presented laws that set forth extended rest times every year.

Here are some pointers to help care for your body, mind, and soul through rest.

Disengage from work

Throughout the years, I remember sending and receiving emails at two or three in the morning. I usually felt one of two opposing emotions when I sent an email at that hour. Sometimes it felt good because I showed someone how dedicated I was to work. “Wow, he’s still at it at three in the morning! He is surely sold out to his job.” Other times I would receive an email at that hour and think, “Why in the heck is she still working on this project when she should be sleeping. I am not impressed.”

Numerous psychological studies reveal that those who cannot separate work and home life suffer more depression, hypertension, burnout, back and neck pain, trouble sleeping, and relational issues. Their productivity at work is also lower than those who take time off and disengage.

I’ve got news for you. The world will not stop turning when you are not working. 

It is also helpful to develop a decompression method when you leave work. I remember well that my wife needed the first half-hour when she returned from work to back up the truck and dump her load while I listened – and only listened. Then our evening began. Some people pray; others play Ozzie Osborne at 105 decibels, while some sing or work out.

Plan Vacation Time Every Year Studies show that people who plan a vacation experience heightened pleasure and productivity for as many as eight weeks before the vacation. The planning is part of the adventure. Regular breaks benefit everyone in your family – except when you’ve driven five hundred miles with three screaming kids in the back seat. Been there, done that, and I’ve got no advice for that, although bribery and ice cream sometimes help. Threats to their lives don’t work because they know you will not follow through.

Take “Mini” Vacations Throughout the Day   The vast majority of people begin to lose focus on a project every ninety minutes. Take a short break from your project and take a walk or do some brief exercise during those short breaks.  

Take At Least One Day Off a Week. Humans were designed to maintain a balance of work/rest weekly. God called it the “sabbath,” which means “rest.” God even instituted an entire year of rest in Leviticus 25:3-5.

“3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year, the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.”

I’m sure your boss won’t mind giving you a paid year off every seven years. Arh, Arh.

Are you familiar with a GFCI electrical outlet? You likely have at least one in your kitchen and one in your bathroom. A GFCI outlet is designed to immediately shut down a circuit if it is overloaded or with a ground fault. Ours used to trip when there were two hairdryers and a curling iron running simultaneously, which sometimes left me in a dark bathroom next door to the girls’ bathroom.

If you run your life 24/7 at full speed for too long, you will experience a ground fault in your system, and it will do everything it can to shut you down.

You really do need some rest.

Live Inspired!

Don Mark