Category: Work-Life Balance

Have you heard of The Great Resignation? I am sure you have! It has been all over the news recently. Has the sound of it inspired you to start thinking about changing jobs? Are you stuck on how to change your career though?

It is regularly being reported that following the pandemic and other recent global events, there is a wave of workers who are quitting their jobs. And the media would have us believe they are doing so in droves. But is it really a thing?

It’s more accurate than you think! Fortune Magazine states that about forty percent of US workers are quitting their jobs with no signs of slowing down. That’s quite a number! Even Microsoft is dreading The Great Resignation as forty-one percent of workers are thinking of quitting.

As unsettling as it may sound, thinking of making a career change opens new career opportunities. Given today’s fast-paced world, it’s always good to keep up with the pace and strive for growth opportunities simultaneously.

Are you finding yourself caught up in the hysteria? And wondering how to make a career change successfully. My tip, persevere!

Make sure that you aim for the right job. Look for something that not only fits your skillset but is in sync with your interests as well. You’ll thrive if you are passionate about it! Be consistent, do your research and understand how to change your career.

Become socially active, start networking and work on building relationships with people who are already in the field. You’ll be amazed to know how networking works to land a job or get a task done in the most impressive manner just because you have connections in the right places.

If you’re uncertain about where to get started, keep reading. Taking risks can be scary, but they can also be extremely rewarding! Don’t let fear step in your way. Let me walk you through some valuable tips and help bring your anxiety one notch down.

Why do people change careers?

Have current global events driven you to change jobs? Or do you want to change jobs for some other reason?

There are numerous reasons why people change careers and resign from their current positions.

Some may be unhappy with their current job or feel like they are not progressing in their careers.

Some might be looking for a change of pace or a more challenging job that keeps the thrill alive.

Or maybe they’re seeking a better work-life balance or more flexible hours to spend more time with family or juggle between two jobs.

Executive-level employees may have different reasons for changing careers than middle or lower workers. Driven by enthusiasm and hungry for growth, these executives might be searching for an opportunity to use their skills and experience in a new industry or to take on a new leadership role.

Or they may be looking at the bigger picture to make a difference in the world. Learn more about the highest-paid occupations in the US here.

Points to ponder when thinking of making a career switch

Let passion and yearning for learning be your driving factors, and focus on your strengths. Once you learn what you’re good at, look for opportunities where you can put these strengths to practice.

Change in career path means stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Sometimes, taking a risk can lead to great rewards. Let me give you some insight as someone who has successfully helped professionals make the transition.

To make the transition smooth, ask yourself:

• Are you motivated enough to deal with the risks?
• Do you clearly envision where you want to see yourself?
• Can you make the transition smartly?
• Would you persevere in diligently working till you get the desired outcome?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can get started on your career change with these pro tips:

Make sure you have a focused vision

Always have a clear vision of what you want to do next. What are your goals and objectives? What are you passionate about? Once you understand what you want to do, you can start researching different career options and paths.

Differentiate between existing skills and transferable skills

It is also essential to consider your transferable skills when a question pops into your mind about how to change your career. Do you have skills that can be applied to a new field or industry? Utilizing your existing skills will make the transition into a new job much more manageable.

Step out of your comfort zone and take some risks. Success doesn’t come easy.

Don’t be afraid of changing careers. If your current job has you feeling stuck in a monotonous routine, it may be time to make a change and look for something that excites you. Sometimes, the best way to find success is to venture outside of your comfort zone.

The current job climate status? Extremely competitive!

The current job climate is highly competitive. With the recent recession, many people are out of work and looking for jobs. It has resulted in employers receiving an abundance of applications for each open position.

The current job climate is an important factor to consider before changing careers. The job market is constantly changing and evolving, and it is crucial to be aware of the current trends.

For example, the rise of the gig economy has created new opportunities for freelancers and contract workers. However, it has also made it more difficult for full-time employees to find stable work.

The job climate also varies location-wise. Some regions are booming, while others are struggling. For example, the tech industry is booming in Silicon Valley, while the manufacturing industry is grappling in the Midwest. Researching your region’s job market before making a career change is necessary.

The job market is improving, but finding a job can still be very difficult. Since the job market is so competitive, only the best candidates land the top positions. Prepare yourself to answer difficult questions during an interview.

Fortunately, several websites offer job listings, and many books and articles offer advice on how to change your career. All you have to do is look for the signs you’re ready for a change.

Tips on how to change

A career change can sometimes mean a pay cut, at least in the short term. Make sure you have a solid plan to support yourself and your family during the transition.

A career change can be a great way to revitalize your life and get yourself out of a rut. Do your homework first, have a solid plan, and take advice from career changers.

Here are some guidelines on how to change jobs:

Changing within or outside your Industry

There are numerous reasons why you might consider changing careers, whether within your current industry or outside of it.

Perhaps you’re feeling dissatisfied in your current role or looking for a change of pace. Irrespective of the reason, it’s crucial that you are thorough in your research because good research will back up the decision you take.

Look around, and talk to your friends, colleagues, or mentors to get their insights if you are considering a career change within your industry. If you’re considering a complete career change, you’ll need to widen your research spectrum to explore more options.

Whether outside or within your industry, you will find many resources that will lead you to your final decision. Research online and speak to a career counselor to better understand your options.

With meticulous planning, you can make a successful career change that will lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying work life.

When is the right time?

The right time depends on your individual circumstances. However, it may be time to consider a change if you are unhappy with your current job or feel like you are not reaching your full potential.

Alternatively, a change may also be beneficial if you have been in the same role for an extended period and are starting to feel that your growth is stagnant.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you feel is best for your career and future goals. If unsure, speaking to a career counselor or advisor may help you.

Identify your motivators

Different people have different motivating factors that can lead them to change their careers. For some people, it may be a desire for more money or better perks. While others may be looking to make a difference in their community or the world.

Changing careers is a big decision, regardless of your motivations. So soul-searching and proper research are vital before making the switch. Once you get an idea of what you want and why you want it, you will find success in your new career.

Side-stepping

Side-stepping in your career can be a difficult thing to do. You may have spent years working your way up in a specific field. Looking for a new direction or starting from scratch can be overwhelming!

Take some time to assess your skills and experience.

• What are you good at?
• What do you enjoy doing?
• What are your strengths?

You may find the idea daunting, but let’s be optimistic and consider it an opportunity to learn and grow.

Embrace the challenge and use it as a chance to build yourself up in a new career in a new manner. Strive for a new, better you!

Many people have gone through career changes, and they can be a great resource. Talk to family and friends, contact professional organizations, and look for support groups. These people can offer advice, guidance, and support as you navigate yourself through a career change.

Learn from past mistakes

The past shapes your future, and I can’t stress how true that is! You can take many different paths. After all, the only way to find the right one is by trial and error and see what works best for you. Be patient, flexible, and willing to put in the hard work. With persistence, you can find the perfect career for you.

Be true to yourself

Changing careers can be overwhelming but staying true to yourself is crucial. It’s easy to get caught up in what other people think you should do or what’s trending at the moment, but you need to make sure you’re choosing a career that’s right for you.

Simply changing careers won’t magically fix all your problems. Be honest about what you’re hoping to achieve and what you’re willing to sacrifice to make your career change successful.

Changing a career can be an exhausting yet exciting process. Make sure you stay true to yourself and your goals, and you’ll be on your way to a successful new career.

Plan your future

Are you feeling a little less overwhelmed now? I hope I have been able to help alleviate some of your concerns about changing careers.

Maybe you feel that your present job is not challenging enough, or maybe you think that your growth is stagnant. Maybe you’re seeking a better work/life balance or simply ready for a change but feel totally lost and don’t know how to change your career.

Irrespective of the reasons, changing your career can be a big decision. But also an excellent opportunity to start fresh, learn new skills, and pursue your passions.

Once you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for and how to change jobs. You can start to research different career options. Take the plunge and get started today. Update your resume, start networking, and apply for jobs.

All leaders need a rich and varied set of skills and personality traits to be successful. And an increasingly important skill that has recently gained more traction is self-awareness.

Most people consider themselves to be self-aware, 95% in fact, according to studies at Harvard. But the reality is that this number is actually closer to 10-15%.

That’s a pretty low number for a skill that has been proven to be beneficial to leaders and in turn business.

Extensive research has shown that self-awareness in leadership roles creates many benefits for business success and helps set the tone for the growth of the whole company.

Let’s find out what it means to be truly self-aware and what you can do to build your own self-awareness.

What is self-awareness?

A generic, one-size-fits-all definition of self-awareness doesn’t really exist. Some people see it as a heightened state of self-consciousness. While others define it as the difference in the way you see yourself versus how others see you.

Some people believe that you are born with self-awareness, while others believe that you can master it through therapy. Insisting that in order to understand yourself, you must first understand your past. The premise of this idea is that in understanding where you come from, you also understand why you may react the way you do.

I tend to favor the latter and believe that self-awareness is a skill that can be learned.

What is the behavioral science behind self-awareness?

Psychologists say that self-awareness is the ability to focus on yourself. And perhaps most importantly, it is the ability to understand how your actions, thoughts, or emotions match with your internal standards – or indeed if they don’t.

Numerous studies into self-awareness over the past 50 years concluded that on a basic level, there are two different types of self-awareness:

• Internal self-awareness: which is how we understand ourselves and our strengths, weaknesses and motivations.
• External self-awareness: which is how we understand how we appear to other people and the impact we have upon them. This requires empathizing with others so we can understand their perspective.

Interestingly, people who have heightened internal self-awareness skills don’t necessarily have external self-awareness skills. This means that while they may understand their own motivations, they may be lacking in empathy and understanding of others.

An alternative way of approaching self-awareness is the principle of the 5 elements of self-awareness, which includes:

• Your concept of yourself, or how you perceive yourself.
• Understanding our thoughts, which helps us to become more aware of our emotions.
• Recognizing our feelings, both when we speak about ourselves and when others speak about us.
• Acknowledging our body’s physical responses, which are likely going to be automatic and beyond our control.
• Honing your emotional intelligence, which is to understand your own emotions and also how they affect others.

It’s abundantly clear that to become more self-aware, you need to develop an understanding of yourself in many areas. It’s about knowing who you are and how you will respond to stimulation or external stressors.

Why is self-awareness an important leadership skill?

Self-awareness is increasingly being recognized as an important leadership skill because it creates harmony and collaboration in the workplace. It helps create a growth mindset where you show that you are happy to learn and to move forward. It also enables you to accept that like everyone else, you are not perfect.

If you are truly self-aware you will understand your purpose and the value that you bring to your role, your company and your team. You will appreciate your strengths and characteristics which will allow you to perform better – while also knowing when you need to seek support.

By developing your self-awareness, you will be better placed to understand when you should listen to others, or if you are in the position to assert your authority. A manager who knows when to listen leads an inspired and engaged team.

How leaders can use self-awareness to be more effective, productive and inspire better employees

Emphasizing self-awareness in leadership roles builds trust in employees and shows that your company is willing to evolve.

If your team knows that you are open and receptive to new ideas, it creates an environment that promotes better business performance all around.

Being self-aware enables you to become more approachable and humbler. It can be frightening for some managers to admit they don’t know it all yet having the strength and wisdom to accept that they don’t, helps your business grow and flourish in a collaborative spirit of success.

Self-awareness is all about adopting a growth mindset. Instead of asking why something has happened, ask yourself what could you have done to make it better. Once you can ask yourself this, you are on the way to self-awareness and an improved business future.

So how do self-aware leaders benefit from understanding their own behaviors and emotions?

As mentioned, self-awareness enables leaders to realize their strengths and to know when they should gain support or delegate duties if someone is better suited to the task.

It requires managers to put away their own egos and instead focus on collaboration. Which creates a business environment that inspires growth and development.

A self-aware person is willing to listen to others, is confident in their abilities and has a growth mindset that accepts that change and development on all levels is the best way to move the company forward.

Importantly self-aware leaders understand that like everyone they have their own set of unconscious biases and are likely to ask for input from other team members when it comes to decision-making.

What prevents people from being self-aware?

The most common reason leaders fail to develop self-awareness is ego. A business leader may believe that all their success comes down to their own hard work and commitment. This is called a self-serving bias and people with this mindset refuse to accept that they make mistakes, or their business success has anything to do with luck or other team members.

People that possess this mindset often blame external factors for mistakes or problems rather than taking responsibility. They blame external factors, like the economy, the delivery chain, the suppliers and anything else before they acknowledge their own contribution – or lack thereof.

How leaders can master self-awareness

Now that you know what self-awareness is and how, as a leader, you can benefit from it. Let’s take a look at how you can learn to develop a greater sense of self-awareness. 

Identify your emotions.

Acknowledging your emotions will help you identify what triggers them. Knowing what makes you feel happy, excited, worried or angry will provide you with the insight to control them – or better yet respond more appropriately. We often become stuck in behavioral patterns and react in the same knee-jerk way without asking ourselves why. The simple act of recognizing our emotions provides us with valuable insights into how we react.

Get some honest feedback

Asking your close friends, trusted colleagues or family for some honest feedback on how you present in various situations might seem daunting, but remember you are the only person who doesn’t witness your own behavior patterns. It is important to see yourself through other people’s eyes, as this will help you see how your communication methods and habits affect other people.

Realize that you have both strengths and weaknesses

Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. Even if you’re an important leader, this also applies to you. Once you have learned a bit more about yourself and can understand how others may see you, you can tailor your communication style to achieve the best results.

Successful leadership relies on delegation and self-awareness will help you understand when you are the best person for a job and when you are not.

Keep an open mind

All good leaders are naturally curious, they are always looking for new insights or innovation. Keeping an open mind and listening to colleagues and employees can help you develop new successful strategies. Practice active listening and guard against becoming judgmental of people or plans before you have heard them through.

Keep a journal

Keeping a journal can lead to improved self-awareness. By writing something down you are acknowledging that it is important to you. It can also help you see how you react to situations and when this can be improved in the future.

Be a better leader, be more self-aware

Science tells us how we can be more self-aware by understanding ourselves – both from within and also from how we are perceived by others. It’s about understanding what drives us and appreciating how we respond and react to our environment. It is through these lessons that we can overcome our egos and bias and be better leaders.

We are better placed to nurture and inspire others by leaning into our strengths and seeking support for our weaknesses.

Can executives, managers, and entrepreneurs benefit from gardening?

Absolutely!

I can confirm it as gardening makes me happy. For me, gardening is the secret to good mood and high productivity.

On the internet I found this pertinent proverb:

“If you want to be happy for a day – get drunk, if you want to be happy for a month, get married, if you want to be happy forever, build a garden.” 

Some people say that the proverb is Chinese, and some say it is Dutch. 

For a long time I thought I was a weird guy, and probably the only executive who likes digging in the weeds, but then one day I realized that my feeling of happiness while spending some time moving the soil is actually backed by science.

Are you curious?

Let’s have a deeper look.

Get Your Hands Dirty for Happiness and Productivity

Often after a long working day, I am mentally drained. I am sure it happens to you, too. When the day has been really hard, I come home full of negative feelings and low self-esteem.

In such moments, gardening is my solution. I get my hands dirty, and suddenly, I start feeling better.

Do you think I have some magic soil?

I do! But you have it, too!

Science has discovered that working with soil is beneficial to your health and happiness. The reason is the soil bacterium, mycobacterium vaccae.  These microscopic bacteria enter into your body when you touch the soil.

The bacteria triggers serotonin and dopamine production, both chemicals that produce a feeling of happiness. By the way, they are chemicals normally present in antidepressant medication.

No doubt there are studies confirming that gardening improves general well-being. As a matter of fact, it is recommended to patients suffering from depression.

Isn´t it amazing? 

Your own garden can naturally trigger the production of anti-depressives! So get your hands dirty, be happy, and get ready for the next tough office day.

These ‘friendly creatures’ also improve the immune system, and many scientists believe that our modern society would benefit from working with soil to ward off instances of asthma, allergies, and other illnesses.

But digging in the earth is not the only reason why gardening makes me happy.

Emotional Well-being While Gathering Herbs From the Garden

Not only does digging in the soil increase dopamine production. Another way to get an additional shot of the happiness hormone is by observing flowers, fruits, and herbs growing in the garden.

After working a whole day in the office, I am often tired. So I take a walk in my garden and smell the herbs and flowers. Sometimes I pick the fragrant, fresh herbs for dinner. It is so relaxing!

Science has confirmed that even just looking at flowers or other organic products or picking herbs stimulates dopamine release in your brain.

By the way, you can get a similar benefit if you buy a few beautiful plants for your office. It will not only make you happy, but it will also do wonders for your creativity and productivity.

When your dopamine level is high, you start feeling the same way as when you get a bonus or receive positive feedback from a colleague – elated!

The fringe benefit is that dopamine reduces work stress too!

So what are you waiting for? After a tiring office day, just go to your garden and simply appreciate your plants.

Are you curious to learn more about why gardening makes me happy?

Take Your Beneficial Sunlight and Vitamin D in the Garden

Did you know that individuals who work outside are, in general, happier than those who need to work inside?

Yes, they are happier although they probably earn much less money!

The main reason is the sun.

Although many health care professionals suggest avoiding too much sun, not getting any can also be detrimental to your health and… happiness. The sun stimulates your body to produce vitamin D, one of the most important vitamins. This is why it is often called the sunshine vitamin.

A lack of vitamin D is one of the possible causes of depression. If you want to be happy, make sure you get enough of it.

A pilot study by Dr. Fatme Al Anouti, an assistant professor at Zayed University’s College of sustainability sciences and humanities in Abu Dhabi, confirms that time in the sun reduces depression.

Another study says that sunlight triggers the release of serotonin, which, as mentioned, triggers a feeling of happiness.

If, like most busy professionals, you spend the whole day inside a building with very little sun exposure, then you need to spend more time in your garden!

Breathing in Fresh Air in the Garden

The vast majority of us work in closed workplaces with air conditioners circulating stale air. This can be a health risk if you don’t make an effort to get some natural air whenever you can.

The benefits of breathing fresh air in the garden are astounding. It can help you digest food better, improve your blood pressure, and even help fight obesity!

But does fresh air make you happy?

It does!

The mechanism is very simple. The more fresh air you breathe in, the more oxygen circulates in your blood. And logically, more oxygen triggers more serotonin.  And serotonin makes you happy!

Conclusion

Spending time in your garden after a hard office day is a powerful strategy for being happier, having less stress, and enjoying higher productivity. It does not matter if you dig in the soil, smell the flowers, or simply enjoy the sun and fresh air. Gardening makes me happy, and it will make you happy too! It will increase your energy level and, importantly, the relation between gardening and happiness is backed by science.

Make sure that spending time in your green oasis is on your daily “to-do list.” Share your experience with us. We are looking forward to seeing your comments below.

“This vacation helped me re-enter the world as a healthy and well-adjusted human,” said Mr. A, a senior manager who I recently got to know a few weeks after he returned from a long-anticipated trip to Reykjavík.

His story has been the trigger that tempted me do a lot of research on “why is vacation important”. Despite his struggle with generalized anxiety disorder for most of his life, long before he even knew it had a name, his symptoms had been well controlled for years.

Perhaps this is why he proudly assumed he would be immune to the agony of the exhausting existence that is an “executive manager.” He believed he would be able to channel his daily stress into productivity.

That was until a couple of years ago when his anxiety insidiously crept back from the hinterlands of the amygdala, creating a constant and irrational loop in his mind of all the things that could go wrong. What if I make an idiot of myself at the party? Will I make it in time for the meeting? What if I screw up tomorrow’s presentation? Did I leave the heater on?

It is that kind of anxiety that makes you feel incredibly tired and overwhelmed when facing the simplest of tasks. The kind of anxiety that doesn’t stop even when you see the heater is off.

“After I’ve made it through the day, I go home,” said Mr. A. “I crawl under the covers and scrutinize each and every word, interaction and action that had taken place that day until I feel sick to my stomach.”

He admits that he always knew he could use some time off, but like many of you, he thought he had too much to do and would rather just spend the weekend home and stay in his cool dark room, distracting himself with mindless television shows.

Anxiety was keeping him from trying out anything that sounded remotely unfamiliar. Eventually, he made the decision to try and fight that shadow inside him.

According to him, travel and vacation have been a major component of keeping it at bay and helping cure his crippling anxiety.

No one argues that vacation is important for our minds and bodies, but the real problem is that no one thinks it is crucial enough to be a commitment.

Unfortunately, that makes it so much easier for the anxiety monster inhabiting our brains to provide endless excuses that kill any idea of going on vacation before it can be transformed into action.

According to a recent survey, the average U.S. employee only takes half of his permitted vacation time.

Furthermore, among those who actually do go on vacation, three in five admitted to doing some work while vacationing, and a quarter of them were contacted by a coworker or supervisor about a work-related matter.

Taking vacations on a regular basis isn’t a luxury or an option you can just skip. It is a priority and basic requirement essential to maintaining and promoting your physical and mental health.

It prevents a variety of diseases and helps you recover from the stress you face in your daily life.

Here are my top reasons, backed by scientific research, why vacations are important.

1. Vacation Reduces Stress and Depressive Symptoms

One of the principal reasons why vacation is important is the fact that they markedly reduce stress levels by removing people from the environment they associate with stress and anxiety.

Moreover, several scientific studies have concluded that vacation is associated with fewer physical complaints related to stress, such as headaches, back pain, and heart rate irregularities.   

In one study, data were collected from forty middle managers, after one week at a resort. The results indicated that one single short-term vacation has large positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, mood and general well-being.

Interestingly, these effects were still detected six weeks after the managers were back from vacation!

Another study showed that taking a vacation is associated with lower stress on a molecular level by observing a decreased expression of FOXO3, a gene that orchestrates the stress response in the body. In fact, lower levels of FOXO3 are also proven to have a remarkable antidepressant effect.

Researchers suggest that even a short-term vacation might have beneficial effects on one’s well-being, strain level and stress.

In fact, it seems that short vacation of four nights is long enough to fully recover from daily work-related stressors, yet short enough to limit the pile of work you have to face upon your return, which is why it’s important to take periodic not overly lengthy vacations.

2. Vacation Can Cut Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

This one is the probably the most interesting on this list. Vacation has been proven to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s on a subcellular level!

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of hard, insoluble plaques between the nerve cells in the brain, a process that contributes in a major way to the dramatic neuronal degeneration observed in Alzheimer’s disease. These protein plaques consist primarily of Aβ40 protein.

A recent study measured Aβ40 levels after four days of vacation and found a significant reduction in its level in all participants!

The same study showed a decrease in the expression of CLU and PSEN1, two genes confirmed to be implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Vacation Improves Sleep

Good quality sleep is one of the major ways to help your body and mind recover if you suffer from stress at work. Unfortunately, job stress and poor sleep often go hand in hand. Stress leads to a loss of sleep and a loss of sleep leads to an increase in stress, which then becomes a vicious cycle that ultimately leads to less focus, less alertness, impaired memory, and a decreased quality of life. 

What’s even more alarming is the fact that the combined effect of work stress and impaired sleep is linked to a threefold higher risk of cardiovascular death in patients with hypertension.

Researchers say that vacations can help interrupt the factors that interfere with normal sleep, such as working late at night, drinking too much caffeine or checking work emails before bedtime.

Indeed, one study found that vacationers tend to show marked improvement in both sleep quality and quantity. Taking regular vacations is important to restore and maintain a normal sleep pattern.

4. Vacation Protect Against Heart Disease

Perhaps the best evidence of the benefits of vacations is highlighted in the landmark Framingham Heart Study, a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular study launched in 1948.

The study revealed that men who skipped vacation for several years were 30% more likely to develop heart attacks compared to men who took a vacation for at least one week a year.

Similarly, women who took a vacation only once every six years or less were almost eight times more likely to have a heart attack compared to those who vacationed at least twice a year.

Based on these findings, the study reported that skipping even one year’s vacation time may be associated with increased risk of heart disease.

5. Vacation Improves Productivity

Vacation is not about escaping or running away from one’s responsibilities. They are about being incredibly present and mindful in whatever new thing you may be experiencing, and that’s the real reason why vacations are important. 

This mindfulness and gratitude for the present moment helps to halt the wicked cycle of worry that sours our minds. Vacation time, in turn, restocks your energy stores, making work seem much easier when you get back to your office.

The professional services firm, Ernst & Young, conducted an internal study of its employees and found that for each additional ten hours of vacation time, their year-end performance ratings improved 8%.

6. Meditation While on Vacation =Loads of Extra Benefits!

Compared to simple rest and relaxation alone, engaging in mindfulness exercises while on vacation can have many superadded positive effects on health and well-being.

One study showed that individuals who practiced meditation during a four-day retreat significantly increased blood telomerase activity. Telomerase is an enzyme that functions to make our DNA longer. Hence it preserves cell DNA and literally increases cell survival and its ability to divide over time.

A shorter DNA length appears to be an indicator that predicts the onset of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, dementia and other degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, as well as certain cancers.

In other words, mediation works to combat ill health by increasing telomerase enzyme activity, slowing cellular aging and delaying the onset of the most common debilitating human diseases.

In addition, meditation and yoga boost immunity, increase the body’s defenses against viral infections and promote more complex genetic effects related to healthier aging.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t overthink it. Plan your trip, pack your bags, and go!

You’ll understand why vacations are important and come back as an enhanced version of yourself; it’s all good for business!