Travel Rx

According to a recent report in Condé Nast Traveler, Your Next Vacation Could Save Your Life.

Suggestions for getting the greatest health benefits out of your next escape?

• Take at least a week's time off
• Keep travel through various time zones to a minimum to avoid jet lag
• Maximize your free time - don't check email, call home, etc. It cuts into "me" time
• Chose somewhere that offers some social interaction opportunities (i.e. a resort over a remote cabin in the woods). Making new friends has been shown to "increase the restorative powers of vacation."
• Engage in a moderate level of exercise - even if it's just walking
• Choose a place with long, lazy sunny days. (Way better than a place with cold, dark ones. Duh.)

The report also digs the knife in a little deeper when comparing the U.S. to other countries - like Germany - where a six-week vacation is mandatory for all full-time workers. According to the report, 34 percent of American workers never use the meager vacation time they do have!

It's time to start. Your life depends on it...