Some people seem to be going on ‘vacay’ all the time. Managers and CEOs are one part of this group while jet-setting millennials with no fixed job are the other group. Both these groups manage to find time and money for various trips around the world in completely different ways: the ones who earn in the top salary bracket have money enough to pay their way and are important enough in the company that taking leave isn’t really a problem. As for the hikers and travellers still in their 20’s, they make do with whatever they can rustle up and decide to go explore regardless. Then there’s the group that never takes a break from work, but dream of doing so; the group that never travels beyond the customary family holiday destination that they have been going to for the past 20 years, but really want a change; and the group who has planned everything down to the last detail but don’t have the money to realize their dreams.For those groups, travelling and vacations are best experienced in the cheapest and easiest way possible: fantasy.
Imagine the Details
The key to successfully visualizing anything is to hone in on the details. If your fantasy vacation is to Paris, then don’t forget to see the rust spots on the legs of the Eiffel tower, the bright colours of the cafe awnings in the city and the constant chatter of the people around you. Smell the croissants, the café au lait, the wine and the cheese. Convince yourself that you are looking over the River Seine and your eyes are being dazzled by the sunlight sparkling over it. As crazy as it sounds, visualizing something in detail will trick your brain into thinking you are actually there.
Relax Physically
All your imaginings will be for naught if you are doing so while at your desk. To get the best effect, find a time and a place where you can set aside 20-30 minutes for yourself, where no one is going to come and disturb you or ask you to do something. Early morning is ideal if you can make yourself wake up early on a weekend. Sit in a reclining position, close the ziptrak cafe blinds in Melbourne to make sure the light does not hit you in the face, close your eyes and dream away. If you have a massaging chair, or an electric massager that you can listen to then you will feel the relaxation wash over you even faster than without.These two techniques may be cheat cuts, but they are an effective recourse against work fatigue if you do not have the time or the money to take a full vacation. Naturally, it’s not a substitute for an actual vacation but it’s a near approximation in terms of relaxation and rejuvenation.