Our Staff's 5 Foundational Mindsets to Prepare for a Restful Vacation

Photo by Safwan Mahmud on Unsplash

While getting rest has been an important part of the human experience since the beginning, the idea of vacationing didn’t really become a “thing” until much more recently. Cindy Aron in her book, Working At Play: A History of Vacations in the United States, shares the story. In the early 1800’s, vacations became something recommended by doctors, often encouraging people to get away from the industrial pollution of big cities to find clean air at the coast or natural springs to bring healing to their bodies for all kinds of ailments.   

The next big boom of vacationing in the United States involved people going away to learn or study. It wasn’t until the mid-to-late 1800’s, when railroads expanded across the country, that vacation began to boom among the middle class.  

Even from the beginning, there were different types of vacations. It began with medical, intellectual, and spiritual getaways. Today, we also see vacations centered on family reunions, volunteering and service, adventures, medical vacations, staycations, and more recently, sleep vacations. 

I usually try to define the purpose of the vacation first. Is it for spiritual refreshment, mental health, physical rest, all of the above? I build a loose, flexible schedule once I have the purpose well in mind. 

–Becky, Editor in Chief

Every type of vacation has value. However, what most humans have always needed, and were even instructed to do in their holy books, is rest. 

My whole being longs for a vacation that restores my body and soul.

How do I get one of those? What does it take to make a vacation restful?

“My whole being longs for a vacation that restores my body and soul.”

We’ve put together our See Beyond staff’s top suggestions on mindsets in this article and practical tips in another article. As you read, remember that not everyone experiences rest in the same way. These ideas will generally be helpful for busy, busy people who need to do less rather than more to get re-energized.

5 Mindsets to Prepare to Rest Well

In our article, “See Beyond Staff's 10 Practical Tips on Getting a Truly Restful Vacation,” we give some practical suggestions. However, it’s working on our mindset that will make the most difference in getting a restful vacation. In this article, we’ll explore some of the mindsets that we can adopt to get better rest out of those vacation days. 

“I can let go.”

This is not easy for many of us. We can feel that things at work will fall apart without us. For me, at least, this can be a matter of ego. There is a humility in admitting that things can run smoothly without me.  

Even when I’ve overcome that, I have often been plagued with thoughts about my work while trying to get away from work. 

One thing that helps with this is the practice of mindfulness. Even ten minutes a day can train your mind and body how to let go of the thoughts that keep taking you back to work, even while you’re on vacation. Practicing being in the present can help you to take full advantage of and savor your time away.  

Mindfulness helps the mind and body be present in the same place, instead of having the body in a peaceful hammock under a shade tree and the mind busy back in the office.  

“More than anything I’ve ever tried, practicing mindfulness helped me learn how to let go of work thoughts and really be fully present, in rest mode, for my whole vacation.” 

–Katie, See Beyond Director

Note: Those with trauma backgrounds may find it especially hard to let go because, during trauma, their brains learned they need to be vigilant. Trying harder to let go may do more harm than good for those who have unresolved trauma. If letting go of work is difficult for you, consider meeting with a counselor to explore why that might be happening. 

Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse on Unsplash

“This isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

Yes, rest is absolutely vital to life. Granted, that doesn’t specifically mean vacations. It does, however, include good sleep and naps. People say they get better sleep on vacation. There are many benefits to a vacation, including decreased risks of heart disease and depression. Your work will also benefit. This is especially true when leaders take a break, as it allows others to take on important roles and become motivated and more productive—not to mention everyone benefits from a well-rested, non-grumpy leader! 

“Self care helps me care for others.”

Katie Reed, mental health advocate and blogger (not to be confused with See Beyond’s director, Katie Reid), says, “Self care means giving the world the best of you instead of what is left of you.” Simply put, if you are depleted, what do you have to give to others? Taking care of yourself in its many shapes and forms, including taking vacations, not only benefits your body, mind, soul, and spirit, but can help you help others.  

“Less is more.”

For many of us, getting deeper rest means reducing our schedule and programs. Having a “less is more” mindset allows us to keep from making vacations just another type of work, albeit, with better scenery. 

It’s possible that those with slow-paced lives may benefit from increasing their activity and taking on responsibility—I just can’t speak to that, since I currently don’t know anyone in that situation. 

“What makes it restful? For me, a book to read, sunglasses, a hat, and walking shoes.”

–Rod, See Beyond Coach and Leadership Specialist  

“Let this be different.”

My husband and I watch shows when we’re at home, on an evening when we don’t have other things going on, but on vacation, we don’t. We want a restful vacation to be different. We want our brains and bodies to have a different experience than they typically do. We don’t want to do what we normally do to trigger us into our normal workweek mindset and habits. We still take vitamins in the morning, but we exchange the morning workout for some laps in a pool or a good hike.  

Practical tips for a restful vacation are helpful, but nothing is more foundational than getting our mindset re-arranged and ready to rest. 

Which of the above mindsets comes easily to you? Which is more difficult? What will you do to prepare your mind to get better rest?  

Doing the work to develop new mindsets will pay off when both your mind and body are experiencing that magical sunset together, while you dangle your toes in the water.