Well it’s Monday morning. I’m back in the office after having taken last week off. I have had this vacation planned for over a year – well before COVID-19 hit for sure! There have been many articles and advertisements lately about resources available during these challenging times. Keeping yourself mentally “ok” is not just a good thing to do – it’s critical! One way to keep yourself mentally ok is to take some time off. I know many of us are second guessing taking vacation time – “Will my job be ok if I am gone for a week, or even a few days?” Of course, there is the “FOMO” (Fear of Missing out) syndrome from being out of touch with everything going on in the office. I am here to tell you that things survived just fine while I was away! Indeed, my email inbox is much fuller than it was before I left, but I am doing ok getting caught up! The best thing about getting back is that I feel refreshed, re-invigorated, and ready to tackle whatever comes next. This uncertainty we are living with looks like it will be with us for a while, so gearing up for the next few months will be important.

Have you taken a break from work during this crazy pandemic? If you are at all able to, I would highly encourage you to take a few days for a mental health break. Even if you are not able to physically go somewhere, there are so many ways you can get away while you are still at home. (You know, the old “stay-cation”.) Sleep in a few extra hours on those days; have an extra cup of coffee or tea those mornings; read a book you’ve always been meaning to get to; take some extra time in the garden; use some of your delicious vegetables from your garden on a great recipe you’ve been meaning to try – salsa? Soup? Pie? Zucchini Bread?

The most important bit of advice I can leave you with is…cut yourself off from work as much as you possibly can during your time away!! It is so worth it to come back with a refreshed attitude towards your work life! You will end up being productive in ways you never imagined you could!! And…you will be able to get caught up soon enough! For many, the end of Summer and Early Fall are favorite times of the year. Maybe it’s your favorite too!

What are some tips you might have for getting away to refresh yourself? I’d love to know them! Share them in the comment box below.

Meanwhile, here are a few pics from my vacation with my family last week in Crosslake, Minnesota on Trout Lake.

 Marie Tomala, CDFA is an Associate with Cuningham Group Architecture in Minneapolis, MN.

She serves as the SDA National President-Elect for the 2020-2021 term.