The Importance of Taking it Easy

One of the most important things you can do for your physical and emotional health is to plan for some downtime in your life.

Taking the time to stop and smell the roses will keep your mind and body sharp and lower your stress levels.

I found an interesting post on another blog that talks about how so many people these days plan their vacations online - everything from doing the actual research to booking airline reservations and hotels.

The other thing that you should remember when planning your vacation is to consider what type of vacation you want to take. Think about what makes you relax and enjoy yourself.

For example, you might want to get back to nature - and take a trip to the mountains, where you can hike, backpack and commune with nature. (Personally, my idea of roughing it is when you go to a hotel where room service stops at 10 and housekeeping doesn't put those little chocolate mints on your pillow when they come in to turn down your bed.) But, some people actually like that type of vacation.

For me, having all the latest modern conveniences is a necessary part of any vacation I take. I like having a soft bed, running water and real toilets.

So whether you like quiet vacations in a small village by the sea, staying at a pied-de-terre in a thriving metropolis or camping in the wilderness, try to plan at least one vacation a year. And remember, a vacation can also be just overnight - or even for a few hours, as long as you're doing something that relaxes your mind and renews your spirit.