A vacation is a leave of absence from a regular job or school, typically for the purpose of recreation or tourism. The term is also used to describe a period of time away from home, such as for Christmas or Easter holidays, or for a specific festival or celebration, such as the graduation of students or a wedding anniversary. It may also refer to an extended break from a normal job, such as a sabbatical or gap year.
In North America, the terms holiday and vacation are often used interchangeably. However, in some parts of the world (especially Commonwealth countries) the terms are distinct and have different meanings: Holidays usually refer to events that commemorate or memorialize something, while a vacation is a trip or journey away from home.
Whether you are planning for a quick weekend getaway or a two-week staycation, it’s important to make sure your home is safe while you’re away. Turning off your water is a simple way to help prevent any accidents or damage while you’re gone. In addition, if you have a smart thermostat you can set it to “away” or “vacation mode” to help save energy while you’re away. Just remember to change it back to your preferred temperature a few hours before you return so your home is comfortable when you get there.
One of the most popular reasons for taking a vacation is to relax and recharge. But while you’re on your vacation, it can be difficult to keep up with your everyday routine and responsibilities at home.
Homesickness
It’s not uncommon to feel homesick while on a long-term travel adventure. This can be especially true if you’re traveling in a foreign country where the language barrier can be a challenge and it’s hard to find ways to interact with locals. This homesickness can manifest as a range of emotions, from mildly sad to downright anxious.
To overcome this feeling, try focusing on the things that are great about your adventure. Spending time thinking about all of the positive aspects of your trip can remind you why you made the decision to travel in the first place. Additionally, it’s helpful to take pre-vacation measurements of well-being and use these as the baseline against which you measure on-vacation happiness.
Lastly, remember that you can always ask a trusted friend or family member to watch your home while you’re on vacation. Or, you can work with an Epcon Community where lawn care, snow removal and other maintenance tasks are taken care of while you’re away. This can alleviate many common concerns about leaving your home while you’re on vacation.
