Take A Vacation From Your Problems

There is an old comedy movie from the 1980’s titled, What About Bob? – starring Bill Murray (an anxious hypochondriac) and Richard Dreyfuss (an ego-inflated psychiatrist). Between the stereotypes and inflated character portrayals in the film, there are truths to what can be seen and gained in a counseling setting.

One such matter is when the psychiatrist (Dreyfuss) “prescribes” the mantra to his nervous client (Murray) with the oversimplified, self-soothing statement, “Take a vacation from your problems.”  This allowed the client to refocus and not get overwhelmed in anxiety about what could not be controlled, and thus try to relax and enjoy time on his own. 

This principle is beneficial for any of us wrestling with worry about what is ahead on the horizon. But it also is good advice for general self-care practices. Vacation is not necessarily the big money trips to amusement parks or road trips across the country. Vacations can be the intentional time to disconnect from stressors and replenish the energy tank. 

Perhaps I am most aware of this need for good mental health practice since I have a vacation coming up. And I am looking forward to enjoying it with my family. This will do a great deal for my family relationships as we get to spend intentional time together (sorry kids, you are stuck with me in the car). But it will also allow me to step back, take a mental & physical break from my work space, and return with more energy and capacity to engage in the work I love.

I encourage you to find a way to unplug, relax, and intentionally do something for your own enjoyment this summer, if you have not already. It does not require spending money, but it does require intentionality and planning for when, what, and how you will accomplish the dynamic of self-care. Maybe it is taking a day off work to do an activity that has long been on your wish list. Maybe you go to a new part of the city, or explore a new park with the family (or by yourself). Maybe you organize a fun game night with your friends – and require childwatch so that it can be uninterrupted time. 

Return well and with a lighter mental load so that you can be healthy enough to engage yourself on the level that is needed. This may require the help of a therapist, a good friend – or – it may just be the break that’s needed.

Whatever it is you do with the remaining days of summer, I hope that you care well and give yourself the opportunity to “take a vacation from your problems.”