EXPERTS OFFER 10 WAYS TO TAKE A NECESSARY BREAK
By:  Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs

The slowdown in the U.S. economy is threatening a necessity for workers: vacations. According to the annual Yahoo! HotJobs vacation survey, 51% of respondents said they plan to skip taking a vacation this year, opting to save money instead.

"Vacations are usually the first thing to go when people feel job or economic pressure," says Joe Robinson, a trainer in work-life balance and author of "Work to Live." He continues, "We're programmed to believe that free time is worthless, a frill to shove aside, but vacations are as important as watching your cholesterol or getting exercise." Skipping a vacation can also be bad for your employer.

Milo and Thuy Sindell, founders of Hit the Ground Running and authors of "Job Spa," say, "You are not helpful to the company and your coworkers when you are not operating at full capacity. Vacations help you to get rejuvenated to come back to work at full capacity."

For those tempted to skip vacation this year due to financial worries, experts recommend the following tips:

1) REMIND YOURSELF: Vacation is not a luxury. "You owe it to yourself, your family, and your company to take care of yourself by stepping out of the office for at least a few days at a time," says Liz Bywater, president of the Bywater Consulting Group, which helps improve organizational performance.

2) PUT ASIDE SOME FUNDS: Each week, try to put a little money aside. "Even as low as $50 a week [or less] can add up and make your trip actually happen," says Robinson.

3) PLAN LEISURE ACTIVITIES NEAR HOME: "Stay at home and read, garden, hike, jog, bike, GO TO SPA, or whatever you like to do but never have enough time for during the weekends," say the Sindells. "Or simply be a tourist in your own city."

4) TRY HOME-SWAPPING: You may want to swap with someone you know in another city, or use an online service, such as homexchange.com or even vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner). "It can have the look and feel of a vacation at a much more affordable housing cost than paying for hotel or resort lodging," says Michael Haubrich, president of Financial Service Group and an expert in financial planning for career issues.

STRESS-BUSTING STRATEGIES: The economic downturn is also adding to workers' stress levels. Nearly a third of the respondents (31%) are worried by how the economy is affecting their workplaces, and 34% said they feel pressure to improve their performance for fear of being laid off.

With 55% of respondents admitted to being "burned out" by work, stress and fatigue add another threat to vacations. Experts say you can prevent the threat in the following ways:

6) START SMALL: "Start with an afternoon off to do something you really enjoy, even if it's just a walk at the beach or a visit to a farmer's market," says Beth A. Levin, author of "Making a Richer, More Fulfilling Life a Reality." HOW ABOUT GOING TO THE SPA?

7) STAY AT HOME: If planning is a burden, don't. "Instead of planning a vacation, just take time off to be at home and figure it out each day as you go," the Sindells suggest.
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8) ENLIST BACK-UP SUPPORT: Ask a trusted coworker to back you up while you're away and offer to return the favor, Bywater suggests. "It's much easier to relax when you know someone's got you covered."

9) CHOOSE ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU NEED: You may need a peaceful retreat from stress, or you may benefit from something more active and exciting.

"Avoid the kind of vacation that will leave you even more exhausted than before," she adds. CALL MY SPA JOURNEYS AND LET US HELP YOU PLAN YOUR PEACEFUL RETREAT.

10) GIVE YOURSELF A DEADLINE: "Stop thinking about it and just do it," says Bywater. "Think of it as 'doctor's orders.'"

"A SPA-CATION
WITH MY SPA JOURNEYS IS
THE BEST GIFT
YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF"

- Jennifer B. Reyes
President and CEO

We suggest for you to plan a SPA GET AWAY at My Spa Journeys where we can take you through the islands, the Mediterranean, Tuscany, Asia, or a cozy country cottage for a few hours at a time.

Enjoy a massage, facial, mani, pedi, body scrub, or anything on our menu, and allow yourself to LET GO for a minimal investment of your time and money, while achieving MAXIMUM RESULTS AND BENEFITS for a brand new, rejuvenated you.

Give My Spa Journeys your stress and worries, allow us to take it away from you while pampering you, and reward yourself with much deserved TIME FOR YOURSELF.  You'll be amazed how much we can transform you.

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For more information, visit myspajourneys.com or contact My Spa Journeys directly at 562-860-1397.