5 Habits To Keep Vacation Benefits Alive All Year Long

We are not on summer break anymore! It's officially fall. so how do you keep the vacation feeling alive? How are you going to manage all the stresses of the day when you can't be on a retreat?

Here are 5 habits that definitely help:

Habit #1 To Keep Vacation Benefits Alive: Be Early

Make it a habit to be early in everything you do. Whether it’s arriving at work, waking up in the morning, or starting your daily tasks. By waking up early and resisting the urge to hit the snooze button, you give yourself extra time to ease into the day without the pressure of rushing. It's not be easy, especially if you’re not naturally a morning person, it can make a big difference in how your day goes. Starting the day calmly and intentionally sets a more positive tone and helps you be more prepared for whatever comes your way.

I’ll admit, this hasn't always been easy for me. There are days when the temptation to sleep in is strong, but the effort is always worth it. Having peace and quiet in those early hours provide an opportunity to gather my thoughts, plan my priorities, and enjoy a moment of stillness before the demands of the day take over. It’s also a perfect time to take care of personal routines, such as meditating, journaling, or simply enjoying a cup of tea without any distractions.

For me, the early hours at the library where I work are key! The only truly quiet time I get is before the day begins. It's when I can tackle my to-do list, prepare materials, and organize my space with a sense of clarity. Being early has allowed me to create a buffer, a space that’s mine, which helps me stay grounded and better equipped to handle the chaos of a busy library once the kids arrive. 

Habit #2 To Keep Vacation Benefits Alive: Plan Movement Breaks

Incorporating movement into your day is essential for both physical and mental well-being. It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to move, but scheduling intentional movement breaks can make a big difference in how you feel. Set aside at least two short breaks during your day, just five minutes each, to get up and move. You could take a quick walk around the office or even do a few gentle stretches or a short yoga session right at your desk. The goal is to get your body moving and your blood flowing, giving you an energy boost to carry on with your tasks.

Movement breaks not only benefit your body but also improve your focus and reduce stress. Sitting for long periods can lead to stiffness, fatigue, and even decreased productivity. By stepping away from your desk and engaging in some light physical activity, you’re giving your mind a break from the constant focus on work. These brief moments of movement can help clear your thoughts, increase your creativity, and re-energize you for the tasks ahead. Even something as simple as a brisk walk around the building can elevate your mood and give you a renewed sense of motivation.

It’s important to start small and be consistent. More movement throughout the day is always better, but if you’re new to this practice, committing to just two breaks is a great place to start. Over time, you can gradually add more movement breaks, integrating them into your routine until they become a natural part of your day. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a major workout; the idea is to make it easy and enjoyable, so you’re more likely to stick with it. Whether it’s a stroll during your lunch break or a few mindful stretches at your desk, these small moments of movement can make a big impact on your overall well-being.

Habit #3 To Keep Vacation Benefits Alive: Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to shift your mindset and improve your overall well-being. Each day, take a moment to write at least one sentence of gratitude in your journal. It could be for something as small as a delicious cup of coffee, a kind word from a colleague, or a beautiful sunrise. When you acknowledge and appreciate these moments, you’re training your mind to focus on the positives in your life rather than getting caught up in stress or negativity. Gratitude never goes out of style, and even a small gesture like this can have a profound effect on your mood.

Over time, this habit can help rewire your brain to recognize and seek out more positive experiences. Research has shown that regularly practicing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, reduced stress, and a greater sense of fulfillment. By taking just a few moments to write down what you’re grateful for, you are intentionally shifting your focus away from what might be going wrong to what is going right. This shift can help you maintain perspective, especially during challenging times, and can serve as a powerful reminder of the good that exists in your life, even when things feel overwhelming.

Writing down your gratitude each day also allows you to reflect on what truly matters to you. As you look back over your journal entries, you may notice recurring themes or people who consistently bring positivity into your life. This practice not only helps you appreciate what you have but also deepens your connection to the people and experiences that bring you joy. Gratitude doesn’t need to be extravagant or complicate. Sometimes, the simplest notes of appreciation are the most impactful. By making this a daily habit, you’re nurturing a mindset that celebrates abundance, joy, and contentment, all of which can help you maintain a sense of well-being throughout the year.

Habit #4 To Keep Vacation Benefits Alive: Smile

Smiling, even when you don’t feel like it, can be a surprisingly effective way to boost your energy and improve your mood. When you’re feeling annoyed, frustrated, or exhausted, forcing a smile might feel unnatural or even silly, but that’s precisely why it works. Smiling sends a signal to your brain that you’re experiencing something positive, which triggers the release of feel-good hormones like endorphins and serotonin. These chemicals help reduce stress and elevate your mood, creating a ripple effect that makes even the toughest moments a bit more manageable. It may seem counterintuitive, but this small action can help you shift your mindset and prevent negative emotions from spiraling out of control.

Go ahead and give it a try, even if you feel yourself resisting. You might find it hard not to smirk or chuckle at the idea of smiling when you’re stressed out, but that moment of lightness is precisely what you need. The act of smiling is a simple, low-effort way to break the tension and inject a little positivity into your day. It doesn’t have to be a big, exaggerated grin; just a small smile is enough to help you reset and bring some calm into your mind. The more you practice smiling during those moments when it feels least natural, the more you’ll notice a shift in how you handle stress and fatigue.

Habit #5 to Keep Vacation Benefits Alive: Breathe

Place your hands gently on your belly and breathe deeply, allowing your breath to reach all the way down to your abdomen. As you inhale, feel your belly expand, and as you exhale, feel it contract. Close your eyes as you do this to eliminate distractions and to fully tune into the rhythm of your breath. Practicing deep belly breathing is one of the most effective ways to calm both the mind and body, helping you to become more present and centered. This simple practice can make a world of difference, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just in need of a moment of peace.

Deep breathing not only brings a sense of calm but also energizes you, improves your focus, and increases your patience with those around you. When you’re able to take a step back and breathe, you allow your nervous system to relax, which helps you respond to situations with greater clarity and composure. This is especially helpful during times of stress, as deep breathing activates the body’s natural relaxation response. If you do just one thing for your well-being, let it be this: make time to breathe deeply throughout your day. It’s a small but powerful action that can transform how you experience and respond to the ups and downs of daily life, giving you a steady foundation from which to tackle anything that comes your way.

Which Habits Will You Try To Incorporate?

That’s my school year update on what’s been working for me and helping me get through the busy start of the season. The transition from the easygoing days of summer to the demands of fall can be challenging, but these small habits have made a big difference in keeping me grounded, focused, and energized! It’s not always easy to maintain that vacation mindset, but with a few intentional practices, I’ve found it’s possible to hold onto some of that sense of ease and well-being, even in the midst of a hectic schedule.

I’d love to hear from you! Let me know if you try one or all of these habits, and please share what works for you. What are your go-to strategies for staying calm, creative, and compassionate, especially on those days when the stress seems to pile up and summer vacation feels like a distant memory? Let’s inspire each other to make the most of every day, finding moments of peace and joy even in the busiest of times. Together, we can create a community that thrives on mindfulness, creativity, and kindness, no matter the season.

Are you a school administrator or librarian who wants to test out these five habits for yourself? 

Remember to sit, write & move each day for a calm, creative & more compassionate life. If you want to learn more about Writing Yoga® Method, feel free to check out my course right here. This interactive course will help you jumpstart healthy and creative practices to: 1) Reduce stress 2) Write and 3) feel luminous.

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