Today’s blog entry is coming to you live from our beautiful rental home on the Outer Banks in Rodanthe, NC. I’ve never been to the Outer Banks before, but you can be sure I’m going to try to find a way to come back! Our home sits right on the ocean, the water comes within 10 ft of the footings, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and across the sand bars is soothing and meditative. Inside the house are all my brothers and sisters and their spouses and significant others, one young nephew, and my dad who made this amazing trip possible for everyone. For the past three days we have played games, walked the beach, watched movies (we started our time amidst a terrible storm), and cooked/ate some delicious food together. This is a perfect vacation!
Sure, there have been a few hours of work sprinkled in, but for the most part it has been a time to unplug. These people who I live, love, and laugh with are some of the most important parts of my life. We’ve been through so much together and the opportunity to come to this beautiful place and relax is an extraordinary gift.
All human beings need to have down time to be at their very best. When we take a vacation, we experience a reduction in stress. Taking a break from our daily routine to unwind can improve your overall mental health. Studies show that, when we take vacation, our productivity increases – we are more creative when we come back to work refreshed, energized, and ready to take on new challenges at work. When you take a vacation like this – opportunities to walk on the beach, swim, go for hikes – activities can improve your overall physical health and well-being by contributing to improved cardiovascular health.
So, while I’d love to spend more time writing today, I am going to stop and go back to the movie and back to the beach. I will be back to share more next week. Until then, I am wishing you all some rest and relaxation – even if it’s not vacation, taking some quiet time is a gift you owe yourself! Signing off with love from the shore!