The return from vacation – well it’s more fun to go away, and there is no place like home.
I had a couple of days to prepare for my return to work. Now, I’ve plunged right in and am back to being inside for hours, having multiple interuptions with phone calls and questions and meeting deadlines to be sure documentation is all done. You may be experiencing similar pressures in your health care practice. The savoring of my vacation is not as much as I anticipated, though I do get to enjoy it again when I speak about my experiences. One thing about summer, with so many people on vacation there are many opportunities to exchange vacation stories.
What I notice most is that there is an afterglow of sorts from the warmth, adventure, fun and relaxation of having been away. On my return to work as a camp nurse, I noticed how much I enjoy the people I am working with, and getting up early, I got to experience the quiet morning before the kids were noisily being active and before the sun was high in the sky. It is so beautiful here.
Barbara Fredrickson, a researcher in positive psychology, refers to this afterglow as the “broaden and build” effect from experiencing positive emotions; positive experiences prime us for more positive experiences. Even though I’m not having much opportunity to think about and re-experience the pleasures of my vacation, I really am getting to savor in my present circumstances. This afterglow from vacation, allows me to see things in a more positive light.
Even with the busyness of your medical practice, what are some of the benefits you’re experiencing from your vacation? Leave comments by clicking the text bubble at the top of the blog post. For more personal ways to bring well-being into your life, contact me.
Revitalize Your Life,
Dina, 203.744.YOU3 (9683)
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