Articles
Breathe
in . . . Summertime
By:
Carol C. Craven, M.S., LPC
Play
There
are many benefits of play. Play releases creative energy, provides
opportunities to reflect, helps reframe life experiences; and provides
times of freedom, lightness, and renewal. Toss a ball to your child,
ride a horse, walk in the park, swing, or swim. You may feel like a
kid again! Play in the workplace is often imaginative, creative, and
team-building. Creative workplaces may include spaces to nap, paths
for walking, or rooms for exercise. A study by Mednick and Cantero
(2002) suggests “the psychological sensation of 'burnout,' described
. . . as increased irritation and frustration along with decreased
effectiveness after prolonged cognitive effort, may not reflect a
general mental fatigue, but rather
the specific need of an overused local neural network to enjoy the
restorative benefits of sleep” (p. 864).
Plan
Be
proactive: Plan for the time that employees and managers are on
vacation. Planning requires asking
many questions:
Who
will do what?
What
training needs to be implemented?
Do
you need temporary help?
Anticipate
and plan for emotions that will surface. Teambuilding creates a
collaborative environment within the workplace culture. Develop a
team. Celebrate when coworkers return and vacations are over.
Vacation
It’s
good for your physical and mental health. At vacation time or other
times of change, stress builds. However, the planning that precedes a
vacation is often overwhelming. Effective planning makes it easier
to leave the workplace behind and think about the destination. So,
leave the cell phone behind and enjoy!
