All
work and no play makes you a dull, stressed, and tired (albeit fabulous) woman.
It’s time to find your place in the sun! This summer, we’re teaming up with mindbodygreen to give one lucky winner a
three-night getaway for two at the luxurious W Retreat & Spa in Vieques, Puerto Rico. You’ll get there on a $500 flight credit, unwind
with a 50-minute massage, and then choose your own adventure. While you're in paradise, we want you to enjoy every minute. Enter to win here
and keep reading for expert advice for truly getting away from it all.
Leave Your Laptop At Home
Expedia’s 2013 Vacation Deprivation study found that 76% of Americans check email and
voicemail during vacation.
Yes, you’re popular and important. Your co-workers, clients, friends, and
family will understand if you unplug for some R&R — and you’ll be more
productive when you get back, too. Set up an out-of-office message and peace out.
Think Slow, Yo, Instead Of #YOLO
Wherever
you go, there you are. People who live and die by a to-do list often overextend
themselves in their downtime. “By moving, speaking, and acting quickly, we set
the tone for our own stress,” says certified intuitive life coach Donnalynn Civello, author of Life Lessons: Everything You
Ever Wished You Learned in Kindergarten.
“You can’t force decompression, but you can make the choice to slow down and be
present while still planning some activities.” One upside: Time seems to expand
when you’re mindful, so your vacation will feel longer.
Buy Experiences, Not Stuff
Finding the perfect souvenir might give you a
short-lived thrill, but experiences are a better investment in long-term
happiness. Cornell University research partly attributes this to the fact that “experiential purchases are more
associated with identity, connection, and social behavior.” Vacation is the
perfect time to pursue activities you already enjoy — or try something completely
different. Think: ziplining, sampling local cuisine, or conversing in a foreign
language. “New experiences force us to live in the moment,” adds Civello. “Getting
out of your comfort zone isn’t always relaxing, but it shifts your
perspective.”
Ease Back Into Reality
To
avoid feeling like you need a vacation after your vacation, give yourself at
least a day between coming home and returning to work. (This is especially
important if you’ve been getting your groove back outside your normal time
zone.) Catch up on sleep, unpack, share your best selfies… Most
importantly, try to be more present in your everyday life. You may have left the
beach — or wherever your travels took you — but you’ll always have mindfulness.
Ready to relax? We’ve got tickets to
paradise — and you and your favorite person deserve ‘em! Enter here for a chance to win three nights in gorgeous Vieques, Puerto Rico!