Written by guest blogger Kellie Knap.

You’ve probably heard it more than once – “I need a vacation” (insert crying face emoji here). We all need a break every once in a while. Naturally, many see vacation as the perfect time to destress and get some respite from work. Often times we get back from vacation and find ourselves dragging our butts back to work, less motivated than when we left.

After spending seven days in beautiful Kauai, I came back recharged and ready to go! I was ready to go home and get back to work (gasp!). I know, strange… Instead of lamenting that I couldn’t spend endless days on the beach, I was itching to get back to the grind.

Vacation for me is a time to regenerate my mind and rejuvenate my drive. Just like a battery, our minds need jumpstart after being drained from the day-in, day-out hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Here are a few ways I use vacation time to recharge my mind and bounce back to work ready to conquer.

• Do something that scares you a little bit. While in Kauai we went on a helicopter tour (without doors – yikes!) which scared the living daylights out of me. Surprisingly it gave me a moment of clarity. It taught me that life is short and the petty issues I face on a day-to-day basis should not consume my mind and waste my precious time. Plus, the adrenaline boost got my blood rushing and heart pumping!
• Go on an adventure or do something new (try new foods too!). This helps get the creative juices flowing. For me, it always opens my eyes to a new component of the world I never knew I was missing out on, leading to new ideas, inspiration, and problem solving skills (no, it won’t always turn out favorable). Hiking the Hanakapi’ai trail on the Na Pali coast was quite the adventure! Not only was it absolutely stunning, it was challenging to say the least. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into and didn’t realize how muddy and slippery the trail was going to be (completely foreign to me – the trails at home are very dry). I learned new ways to cross rivers, use walking sticks (who knew these would be SO helpful?!), and how to get over and around obstacles (physical and mental). Boy, that hike certainly made me think hard, brainstorm, and discover new ways to approach unfamiliar situations.
• Take time to clear your mind. Whether it’s lounging on the beach, sitting on a rock overlooking the mountains, or walking down a bustling street, void yourself of “busy” thoughts and just soak in every element around you. Keep yourself open to new sounds, smells, and sights. Clear the clutter from your mind (thus boosting brain power) and appreciate just being.
• Reevaluate your goals and reflect on your career and passions. You may not be in your dream job or even a job you like, however, being away from the situation can help you see everything from a different perspective. The crises you face at work may not be as bad when you are removed from the front line. Think of new ways to tackle issues and work around problems. Use this time to review your career trajectory, if you are on the right path, and set some goals to get to the point you want to be. If you aren’t on the right path, work on a plan to get you there (do you need to take a certification course or online class?). Set those goals, make them measurable, and attach dates to them. Then get ready to get back to work and take charge!