We live in such a demanding, high stress world that our vacations are pretty much the only chance for sanity we have left these days. If we simply leave them to unfold randomly, we’re probably going to hit the end of our “time off” in worse shape than when we began!

The Old Testament commanded God’s people to build regular weekly and yearly times for “time off” and has some really good advice for how to do it well. It all comes down to one word: Shabbat – it’s where we get the word “Sabbath” – it means STOP.

God tells us that if we want to truly refuel, we need to stop! Sadly, most of our vacations continue the pace we set in our everyday life: go go go. Here are some thoughts for how to follow God’s instruction for a healthier, truly replenishing vacation:

Rest – most people don’t get the seven to eight hours of sleep that everybody needs each night. Discipline yourself to spend some time “winding down” and make sure to get a good amount of sleep.

Exercise – this may seem to contradict the first tip but, in fact, it doesn’t. Getting your heart rate up over 120 for at least 45 minutes is THE MOST effective way to shed the stress of your regular life and get a good night’s sleep. Your whole being will relax and recover MUCH faster if you discipline yourself to spend an hour a day intentionally doing something active. 

STOP – ditch the “to do” list and schedule - risk actually being BORED!!! The best way to rebuild the stressed marriages and parent-child relationships we all have is to simply BE together, without an agenda. The conversations and memories that come out of your “boring” times together will bring you back together like nothing else.

Finally, make memories. If you DO have to plan something, make sure it is unique enough and fun enough for EVERYONE that you will never forget it. However, you’re only going to HAVE fun if you’re rested enough to BE fun.

I hope you have the best summer vacation ever!