Vacation Rejuvenation

Vacation can be a magical time. Away from the demands of patients and staff you can recharge your batteries, visit new places and even smell the roses. But some vacations just don't seem to measure up. You leave stressed then return feeling less than rested, ill-prepared to face the usual grind, and dreading all the work that has piled up since you left.

We recently surveyed doctors of chiropractic¹ about their vacation habits and while some asserted that they did not believe vacations were important as one doctor stated that they were "a waste of time and energy", most agreed that vacations were not only necessary to rejuvenate them personally but professionally as well.

One doctor, who discovered the significance of vacations late in his career, described a very common concern of those who refuse to set aside time-off. Dr. Samuel J. Gray of California explains: "Because for 25 years straight, I never thought I could leave my patients, so I never took a vacation. Now I know they will live without me."

And there were a few others who responded that were apprehensive about how the time away would affect their bottom line, another common concern.

But as Dr. Paul Peterson states, most feel that taking a vacation doesn't effect their bottom line; rather it re-energizes them, which, in turn, profits their practice. Peterson explains: "I have found that the longer that I have been in practice, the more frequent and longer vacations have been needed to stay fresh and excited with practice. I have found that I get excited and enthused before leaving on a vacation, which translates into a busier practice before leaving on vacation. This excitement and enthusiasm continues for some time after the vacation. At the end of the year, my bottom line is just as good during the years that I take vacations versus those years that I don't."

How Your Vacation Positively Impacts Your Practice

When doctors of chiropractic were asked why their vacation was important to their practice, most of the answers fell into one of five categories:

Perspective:

According to Dr. Julie Pudenz of Iowa, "Taking a break from the normal routine is a healthy aspect of life, otherwise all patients start to look like they have the same condition and you fall into a rut of treating everyone the same way. Taking time off makes me focus better and I am more attentive to all aspects of the clinic when I return."

Dr. Victor W. Garrett adds that he needs to "get away to recharge my batteries and give me perspective to make improvements."

Doctor:

Connecticut DC, Luann Moratto says that "Taking time off to recharge your mind, body and spirit is essential. Being a healthcare provider it is important to be clear and in excellent shape physically and mentally before touching any patients."

Dr. Earl Meyer of Michigan adds: "My vacations recharge my batteries allowing me to be a better DC when I get back to reality." Dr. Brian Bigelow of New Hampshire states: "You need to get out of the office and see another perspective on the world to make you a more well-rounded healer."

Service:

Dr. Steve Wexler of California admits that "I used to think that vacations were frivolous. Then I took one and learned better. I think they are important in keeping me focused (when I return) on my patients and their needs and concerns." Across the country in New York, Dr. Mohsen Radpasand says his vacation: "Keeps me more energetic and tuned to work harder, and to provide a better service to my patients." Dr. Chris Olson of South Dakota adds that his vacations "allow me to relax and recharge so that I can more effectively serve my patients."

Education:

Dr. Nate Blume of Indiana says that taking his staff on vacations to chiropractic events: "Keeps me passionate about practice. I love taking the staff to The Masters Circle Superconference, Cal-Jam, Parker and the like so they can receive the same excitement and inspiration I gain from those types of vacations." Gina Genin of Pennsylvania adds that "I generally combine seminars with my vacations to 1) Get a tax write-off, and 2) To maximize my time away from the office so that it's worthwhile in all respects."

Practice:

Dr. Brett Koester of Kentucky says "[I take] 6-8 mini vacations and 4-6 extended vacations per year to stay focused and recharged for my practice, we always grow after time off." Another DC states that "Getting away is a part of keeping a healthy mind. Downtime, although not a lot is required, is vital to keeping the practice alive and on top." Dr. Jared R Leath of Tennessee says his vacations give him "a time to reset and get a clearer overview of the health of my practice. That is easier to accomplish while away from the day to day routines."

[pb]Five Ways to Recharge on Vacation

When you go on vacation, you want that time to be the most beneficial. Here are a few things you can do to help make your vacation a time of rejuvenation:

1. Do New Things. Vacations are a time to do new things, see new places and eat new food. They are a golden opportunity to explore and experience. If we are open, we can find new experiences that will challenge what we think about ourselves and our world. Doing "new" gives us perspective on our successes, our blessings and on life itself.
   
   When you go on vacation, do something outside your usual comfort range. Try a new activity like parasailing, scuba diving, downhill skiing, a cooking class, etc. Give yourself something to talk about when your patients ask what you did on your vacation. As Georgia DC, Mac Miller says, "Re-charge and explore. Visit new places and cultures. Explore foods and adventures."
   


2. Reignite Relationships. Busy lifestyles take their toll on our relationships. No matter how hard we try, we don't spend enough quality time with the people we love. One doctor we talked to stated that vacations are "more important to me and my wife, to keep the romance going. We have been married 31 years."
   
   Vacations are also a time to create memories with family and friends. Be sure to take lots of photos. One group of friends went to Hawaii for a wedding. After they returned from their honeymoon, the groom gathered photos from everyone and created a DVD set to music as their wedding favor. "I get to reconnect with my husband and sons and I get more done before we leave with a deadline," says Jennifer Ramsey, Ohio.
   


3. Pamper Yourself. What better time to spoil yourself and your spouse/family than on vacation? You can recharge your batteries with a day at a resort spa or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. As you plan your vacation, let everyone in your party choose what they "really want to do."
   
   The secret to pampering/spoiling yourself and your loved ones is in your budget. While every vacation has to have a budget, making your budget too tight can result in a disappointing vacation. Leave some room in your budget for the unexpected.
   


4. Start New Routines. For many of us, the rut seems to get deeper, with very few changes. We have our routine and for most of our lives, we don't have time to think about how to change it. Vacations are a great time to implement new habits and change your routine towards a more healthy and sane lifestyle.
   
   You may take time to exercise on your vacation. This could prompt you to set aside time to hit the gym regularly every week once you return. Lunch with your spouse on a cruise may expand into meeting to have lunch every Wednesday. Vacation activities with your children can begin a monthly "date" with them as a way to stay connected.
   


5. Schedule Your Next Vacation. The hardest part about going on vacation is coming back. You can take the sting out by planning your next vacation during the last half of this one. This is the perfect time to ask yourself:

• What would you like to do again?
• Where else do you want to go?
• What do you still want to see and do?

As Buck Waters, DC, of Florida put it, you go on vacation to "experience the rich beauty the Lord has created and the variety of cultures He has birthed."

Vacations are an important part of our lives. They provide an environment that nurtures our own health and the health of our relationships with the people we love. As Dr. Christopher Oliveira of New Jersey put it, vacations allow the doctor to "re-energize and prioritize what really matters most in life."

Reference

1. Vacation Travel Survey. MPA Media, Dec. 6, 2010.