Why your brain needs vacations - CNN.com
(CNN) -- Mary Kole loves her job, but she's been feeling like she's lost the line between "work" and "not work."
A literary agent for children's books in Brooklyn, New York, Kole works from home and checks in with clients electronically around the clock -- sometimes writers will even call her in the middle of the night with an idea. Stepping outside isn't exactly relaxing either. "In New York, it's just subway, office, people, talking, yelling, honking, all the time," she said.
Kole finally tore herself away from business calls and conferences to take a vacation, one that didn't take place in her home office. At the beginning of May, she went to Portland, Oregon, by herself and spent five days holed up in a rented house rereading some of her favorite books, cooking and listening to rain.
"I believe much more strongly now than ever that to be able to be good at what I do, I need to be good to myself, creatively, and refill my own creative well before I can be any less than a brain-dead zombie," said Kole, 26.
Kole's experience shows off the power of a vacation to help gain insights, appreciate the present moment and return to "real life" with a renewed sense of excitement.
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Detaching from a familiar environment can help get new perspectives on everyday life, says Adam Galinsky, professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Consider that when you get advice from a friend, his or her suggestions are often more creative than what you would have decided for yourself -- and scientific studies have confirmed this. That's because your friend has psychological distance from the situation at hand. When you're in the middle of a problem, it's sometimes hard to untangle yourself from it to think about it clearly.
Similarly, many people have epiphanies when they travel because they can view their life back home from a more detached, outsider's view.
"Not just taking time off from work, but actually getting away from where you live is really important, because that's the only way that you can achieve that perspective," Galinsky said.
Kole agreed. Unplugged from work and sitting on a porch enjoying nature, she realized it might be time to seek a more natural environment, either within New York or elsewhere.
Traveling abroad
If you're lucky enough to leave the country this summer, there's scientific evidence that it could help you with creative thinking.
Immersing yourself in a different culture has this effect, Galinsky said. Maybe you think there's only one way of doing something, but in an unfamiliar place, there's a whole other set of social norms and customs.
Galinsky's research with William Maddux, a professor at the business school INSEAD, has found that traveling abroad makes people have a more nuanced understanding of themselves, while at the same time they also have a better sense of who they are.
Why you must visit a new destination
Even seemingly ordinary experiences such as eating in a restaurant can jolt your thinking: What's on the menu? Is it customary to leave food on the plate, or eat every last morsel? Is customer service slower or faster? What time of day do most people eat their breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Mary Kole realized that she needed to be good to herself, creatively, and to refill her own creative well.
Mary Kole realized that she needed to be good to herself, creatively, and to refill her own creative well.
You might be wondering how much time you need abroad to reap these perks of travel. For creativity, Galinsky's research found stronger effects among people who were living abroad than those traveling for short periods. But the reason is probably that the expatriates are more likely to adapt to local environments and try to understand the locals' perspective.
"If you want to get the benefits of living abroad while vacationing, the key is to try to understand the world through the locals' perspective," he said.
But you don't need to leave the country in order to get a fresh mindset to bring back to everyday life.
Ellen Langer, professor of psychology at Harvard University, sees these benefits of vacationing as part of being mindful. Mindfulness is a concept derived from Buddhism that's central to meditation in that tradition, and involves being present and observant in a nonjugmental way. Langer and other groups have found tremendous benefits in health and wellbeing from being mindful generally.
America is the 'no-vacation nation'
Part of the essence of being mindful is noticing new things, Langer said. Often people get into a mindless routine at work and home, which is broken only when they travel.
People set themselves up to see new things on vacation, which makes the trip exciting. But ideally you would have this frame of reference all the time: taking note of new people, objects and events around you.
"Boring," she says, is a state of mind. And once you achieve a mindset of "everything is different and interesting," it becomes a valuable souvenir to take home after the vacation.
"What people should do, I think, when they go on these vacations and experience the feeling of engagement, the feeling of being mindfully involved in your own life, is to find a way to bring that back to their workday," she said.
Until the next time
Kole has been trying to practice mindfulness techniques since December. Every morning she wakes up early and challenges herself to write five pages in her diary about what she's grateful for, and pay closer attention to her thoughts and feelings: "Otherwise you get so caught up in all the small things," she said.
When she got back from her Portland vacation, she felt ready to dive into work and had a new sense of enthusiasm about it. After a few days, she headed to the Culinary Institute of America to learn more about cooking.
"I love what I do, but sometimes, after just nose to the grindstone, it can get difficult to be there and be present. I was so happy to start reading children's books and so much less impatient, so much more excited," she said. "I'm taking another vacation in July."
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Please pause for a moment today in remembrance of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. In 1868, May 30th was designated as a day to decorate the graves of fallen service members. Enjoy the day with family and friends. Be safe!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Stand With Our Troops on Memorial Day
This Memorial Day, honor the service, strength, and courage of America’s military. Our troops make sacrifices that most of us can hardly imagine, leaving behind their friends and family to put their lives on the line for us every single day.
That's why we work so hard to share a touch of home with them wherever they serve -- from free phone calls to care packages to much-needed breaks provided by our entertainment tours.
Celebrate Memorial Day by helping to support our troops, lift their spirits, and honor their service.
That's why we work so hard to share a touch of home with them wherever they serve -- from free phone calls to care packages to much-needed breaks provided by our entertainment tours.
Celebrate Memorial Day by helping to support our troops, lift their spirits, and honor their service.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fires burn thousands of acres in Mexico's Caribbean region - Fox News Latino
Cancun – Some 14,000 hectares (34,568 acres) have been consumed by about 25 forest fires burning in the Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo, where cities and resort towns, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the state capital, Chetumal, are covered with smoke, officials said.
The more than two dozen fires have mainly affected the cities of Benito Juarez, Lazaro Cardenas, Tulum, Othon P. Blanco, Solidaridad, Jose Maria Morelos and Bacalar, the Quintana Roo state government said.
Nine of the forest fires are burning on the outskirts of Quintana Roo's largest cities, but the blazes do not yet pose a threat to populated areas.
Urban areas in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Chetumal have been covered by smoke since Saturday, when the blazes intensified.
Some of the fires were started by people clearing land to build residential complexes, Quintana Roo environmental management chief Graciela Saldaña said.
A huge fire is getting closer to the Yum Balam nature preserve in Lazaro Cardenas.
Fighting the fire has been difficult because of its remote location, forcing firefighters to travel to the site in a helicopter.
The Sian Ka'an and Balam Ka'ax nature preserves are also being affected by fires, officials said.
The more than two dozen fires have mainly affected the cities of Benito Juarez, Lazaro Cardenas, Tulum, Othon P. Blanco, Solidaridad, Jose Maria Morelos and Bacalar, the Quintana Roo state government said.
Nine of the forest fires are burning on the outskirts of Quintana Roo's largest cities, but the blazes do not yet pose a threat to populated areas.
Urban areas in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Chetumal have been covered by smoke since Saturday, when the blazes intensified.
Some of the fires were started by people clearing land to build residential complexes, Quintana Roo environmental management chief Graciela Saldaña said.
A huge fire is getting closer to the Yum Balam nature preserve in Lazaro Cardenas.
Fighting the fire has been difficult because of its remote location, forcing firefighters to travel to the site in a helicopter.
The Sian Ka'an and Balam Ka'ax nature preserves are also being affected by fires, officials said.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
World Wide Alert
World Wide Alert By U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
May 1, 2011
The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. This Travel Alert expires August 1, 2011.
U.S. Embassy operations in affected areas will continue to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation. U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Media coverage of local events may cause family and friends to become concerned for their loved ones traveling and residing abroad. We urge U.S. citizens to keep in regular contact with family and friends. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security issues. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
Travel information is also available at www.travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at www.travel.state.gov. For further information on specific countries, U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information pages, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings at www.travel.state.gov as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Bureau of Consular Affairs
May 1, 2011
The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. This Travel Alert expires August 1, 2011.
U.S. Embassy operations in affected areas will continue to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation. U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Media coverage of local events may cause family and friends to become concerned for their loved ones traveling and residing abroad. We urge U.S. citizens to keep in regular contact with family and friends. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security issues. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
Travel information is also available at www.travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at www.travel.state.gov. For further information on specific countries, U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information pages, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings at www.travel.state.gov as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cruise Planners - More Shore Excursions
Cruise Planners - More Shore Excursions Even if you don't book your cruise through us, you can still get great deals on shore excursions.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Exclusive Cruise Offers for AARP Members | Norwegian Cruise Line
Exclusive Cruise Offers for AARP Members | Norwegian Cruise Line
AARP Members Receive 5% Off Norwegian Cruises
As a member of AARP you'll receive a 5% discount for any cruise that's booked at least 9 months prior to the sailing date. That's a deal that's too good to pass up.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising experience gives guests the opportunity to customize their cruise vacation to suit their needs. This includes the choice of up to 21 restaurants offering traditional and contemporary options and a wide variety of cuisine styles; a variety of amenities including world-class entertainment; and the widest selection of accommodations at sea, including more family-friendly interconnecting staterooms and suites than anyone else.
How to Book
AARP members must provide their date of birth and zip code at time of bookings. If this information is not immediately available, information must be provided no later than at time of deposit. Reservations that cannot be verified will be repriced and a new confirmation will be sent to guest.
AARP Members Receive 5% Off Norwegian Cruises
As a member of AARP you'll receive a 5% discount for any cruise that's booked at least 9 months prior to the sailing date. That's a deal that's too good to pass up.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising experience gives guests the opportunity to customize their cruise vacation to suit their needs. This includes the choice of up to 21 restaurants offering traditional and contemporary options and a wide variety of cuisine styles; a variety of amenities including world-class entertainment; and the widest selection of accommodations at sea, including more family-friendly interconnecting staterooms and suites than anyone else.
How to Book
AARP members must provide their date of birth and zip code at time of bookings. If this information is not immediately available, information must be provided no later than at time of deposit. Reservations that cannot be verified will be repriced and a new confirmation will be sent to guest.
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