Vacation and Binging

The Relationship between Substance Abuse and Vacation

Posted on September 20, 2023  in Uncategorized

One of the most alarming issues affecting society is substance abuse. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in the throes of addiction, compromising their relationships, their careers, and of course, their health. During a vacation, people can succumb to unhealthy habits and excessive substances, making vacation a potential trigger for drug addiction or worsening an already existing problem. That said, it is possible for people who are recovering from substance abuse or have suffered from addiction to enjoy a safe and healthy vacation.

The potential exists for vacation to be a dangerous place for people who are struggling with substance abuse—especially when alcohol is involved. Most people view vacation as a time to let their inhibitions go, so they may be more likely to succumb to temptation. Alcohol, in particular, is an extremely dangerous drug of choice for people in the throes of substance abuse or recovering. An increase in alcohol consumption can directly affect how people are feeling, encouraging them to make less sound decisions. Although it may seem like a good idea to have several drinks per day during vacation, those who are recovering from addiction should practice extreme restraint.

Family vacations can also be challenging for people who are overcoming addiction. It is possible that being in a family setting can trigger addictive behaviors, as it can be emotionally taxing. Before the vacation begins, it is important to have a conversation with family members about substance abuse. Family members should understand the types of behaviors that are not acceptable, as well as how to provide support.

In addition to following precautions like abstaining from drugs and alcohol, those recovering from addiction should also find a healthy way to take a break from reality during vacation. This can include engaging in activities that don’t involve substance use or abuse such as swimming, yoga, hiking, surfing, and other outdoor activities. Doing something that promotes healthy habits while away from home can help people stay in control and keep them from succumbing to addictive behaviors.

Out of town trips can also provide a much-needed break from the stress and triggers that are associated with daily life. Taking a break from the daily routine allows people to focus on themselves and what makes them happy. It can also provide them with an opportunity to practice healthy habits, such as keeping a journal, getting adequate sleep, and eating healthy.

Although it is possible for people recovering from substance abuse to have a positive experience during vacation, it is important to remember that it is not easy. Taking the necessary steps beforehand and establishing rules, boundaries, and a support system, is essential to having a safe and enjoyable trip. With the proper planning, people in recovery can still have an amazing experience while taking a break from reality in a way that is safe and healthy for everyone.

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How to Turn Your Vacation Into an Epic Binge-Fest

Posted on August 15, 2023  in Uncategorized

A vacation is a chance to escape your day-to-day life. But for those of us with voracious appetites for all sorts of entertainment, a vacation can also be a chance to indulge in some intense binging.

So, why not turn your next vacation into a Chi-Cation; a chance for you to fill your days and nights with nonstop binging. With the right balance and a few helpful tips, you can enjoy your vacation and your entertainment to the fullest.

First, start by planning your entertainment for the week. Many streaming services have created content lists for each day of the week, allowing you to prepare in advance. Jot down some shows and movies you’d like to watch, and set yourself a goal of reaching the end of the list. Staying organized up front will ensure that you don’t waste any valuable vacation time trying to decide what to watch.

Next, plan your snacks. You don’t want to be in the middle of your favorite show and have to reach for an empty bag of chips. Stock up on your favorite snacks and drinks in advance to keep you going during your binges. Consider making your own snacks to add a little variety and excitement to the proceedings.

For added structure to your binging, consider assigning a type of entertainment to each day. One day can be devoted to movies, another to television, and a third to reading – whatever tickles your fancy.

Some vacationers also like to binge with a companion. It’s more fun to watch a show or movie with someone, and it can also help you stay focused and on track for reaching your binging goals.

When you’re ready to venture away from the comforts of your vacation rental, visit an amusement park or another local attraction. It’s easy to forget about some of the fun activities available close to your vacation spot. From roller coasters to mini-golf courses, amusement parks have plenty of activities that can provide an enjoyable break between rounds of binging.

Finally, take the opportunity to explore some new forms of entertainment. Chances are, there are some shows or movies that you haven’t seen yet. Get introduced to a new genre or author by doing a bit of research beforehand, and you may find something new to add to your Chi-Cation binging.

A Chi-Cation is the perfect way to mix relaxation and entertainment on your next vacation. With some careful planning and some fun diversions, you can combine a cheerful binge-fest with the unique activities and attractions of your destination. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning and let the binging begin.

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Why Vacation and Substance Abuse Commonly Go Together

Posted on June 15, 2023  in Uncategorized

It is widely recognized that substance abuse can have a damaging impact on our physical and mental health, leading to a decrease in quality of life. Unfortunately, almost one in seven adults in America experience a substance abuse disorder in any given year. With such a prevalent and serious problem among our society, it is paramount to consider why individuals may become more likely to abuse substances when taking a vacation.

Vacations are a time for individuals to escape from everyday life and take a break from the stress and demands that they may be subject to normally. For many, these feigned moments of relaxation can be ideal for engaging in toxic activities, like substance abuse. It is during this period of respite that individuals may be more likely to give in to a temptation they may not usually have the ability to indulge in. From the influence from a group to the passing “vacation spirit”, the combination of substance use and vacation time can be a dangerous one.

Individuals on vacation may be more likely to engage in unhealthy activities due to heightened stress and anxiety levels upon returning home. With the anticipation of returning to normal responsibilities, people may feel overwhelmed and pressured to fit as much as possible into their vacation time as possible. As such, individuals may uncontrollably rely upon a substance to help them divorce themselves from reality and alleviate their stress.

Another reason why vacation and substance abuse commonly go together can be attributed to the social influence from a group. Upon deciding to take a vacation with people one is comfortable and familiar with, the expectation to socialize over the course of the trip is often present. Alcohol and/or drug use is often expected during these fun rendezvous. Religion, cultural values, age, and gender can all influence a person’s opinion on the acceptability of substance use. With the potential of social influence or peer pressure serving as an impetus, it is understandable why individuals may succumb to the joys of substance use while away on vacation.

The presence of social anxiety can also be a central factor that may contribute to the decision to use substances during a vacation. Those with any degree of this common and understandable emotion may benefit from the confidence boost a substance can offer. Though a dangerously slippery slope that can have numerous consequences in the long and short-term, alleviating inhibitions connected to anxiety may serve as a tempting justification for consuming alcohol and/or drugs while on vacation.

The ease of availability in a vacation setting is also something to consider when looking to understand why many resort to substance use while away. Many people may find themselves working and/or living in an environment where it may be difficult to access alcohol or drugs but upon vacation, the situation may be totally different. In cities like Las Vegas, clubs and bars may be available on virtually every street corner and in some case even offer the substances for free or discounted prices when buying into packages. This easy access can be a great seduction for those looking to indulge in substances while on vacation.

In conclusion, there are many interconnected factors that can significantly increase an individual’s likelihood of turning to substance use during a vacation. From the stress of returning home to the availability of substances in a resort setting, the environment away from home may not necessarily be conducive to healthy habits. Thus, it is important to be cognizant of the various factors that may influence individuals to engage in these activities in order to protect oneself and our loved ones.

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7 Reasons Why a Vacation Could Be Good for Addiction Recovery

Posted on March 26, 2023  in Uncategorized

When you’re in the process of addiction recovery, it can be the weight of the world. It can take a toll on your mental health, your personal life, and even your physical wellbeing. That’s why it’s so important to give yourself a chance to step away. A vacation could be just the thing you need.

Vacations, particularly when done with all the proper safety measures, can be a great way to jumpstart your recovery. Here are 7 reasons why your next vacation could be the key to finally getting yourself into a great position for lasting recovery:

1. New scenery can be a great way for distraction: While you’re in recovery, it can be easy to feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending loop. You do the same things, see the same faces, and deal with the same temptations. A vacation — even a short one — can help you shake up your routine and open up your eyes to new experiences that can help enhance your recovery journey.

2. It’s a chance to get out of your head: Addiction recovery can be a lonely and isolating process, especially when you’re in the thick of it. Going on holiday and exploring a new place with new people can boost your mental health and give you the chance to take your focus off addicting behavior and cravings.

3. It’s an opportunity to grow in recovery: Travel can give you a fresh perspective while putting your recovery into a more global context. Seeing the way other countries and cultures handle their addiction issues can give you a newfound strength and increase your determination to stay on course.

4. It’s a chance to learn new things: Another great bonus to taking a vacation during recovery is that it can help you learn new skills. Learning a new language, developing a new hobby, or diving into a new physical activity can all give you a major mood boost and put you on a more positive path forward.

5. You can benefit from having a change of pace: While feeling slowed down is a common symptom of recovery, going on vacation allows you to take a break from loss of energy and lack of focus. It can be a great way to give yourself a chance to reset, recharge, and return feeling refreshed and inspired.

6. Vacations are an opportunity to practice healthy coping skills: Going on vacation while in recovery can be an excellent opportunity to focus on positive coping skills. Being away from your home and routine can help you find healthier ways of dealing with stress and cravings.

7. You can find new sources of motivation: When you’re in recovery, it can be tough to find sources of motivation to stay on track. A vacation can help you find new sources of motivation to push forward and get you thinking beyond the immediate crisis.

No matter how long your vacation or where you go, it can really help to take a break from the challenging experience of recovery and give yourself a chance to reset, recharge, and shift your perspective. Vacations are a great opportunity to test yourself and your coping skills, explore new opportunities, and enjoy a much-needed break from the seriousness of recovery.

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Things to do during a summer vacation

Posted on March 13, 2021  in Uncategorized

Almost everyone looks forward to a summer vacation and this is because our stress levels reduces greatly during this period.

If summer vacation is fast approaching and you are short of ideas on what to do, this guide gives you a perspective on how to get started.  

Travel

If you have enough money on your hands, it is a great idea to travel. There are several immense benefits that comes with traveling which makes it a wholesome experience.

Traveling allows you to relax and de-stress. It also helps to improve your connections and social network which have long-term benefits.

Traveling has a physical and psychological effect on your body and mind, and it is a great idea to harness this opportunity.

Volunteer

Some people shy away from volunteering because they don’t know what it entails. Volunteering is one of the activities that gives you peace of mind. This is an avenue to help people out and also learn important life skills like working in a tea, etc.

Even though you feel you have nothing to contribute, there is always a role for anyone willing to volunteer.

Create a Hobby club

You can use your summer vacation to catch up with old friends. One way to facilitate this is by forming a club. It is typical for old friends to have some interests that unite everybody.

It could be a book, movie or game club. Doing this presents a profound opportunity for you to bond, blush over past memories and create new ones.

Start a blog

Anyone can start a blog and you don’t have to be a writer. You can have a blog for the purpose of journaling your thoughts. If you intend traveling or touring a place, having a blog would be a great idea because you can post information on your current touring expeditions.

Learn a new skill

Each of us have something we always wanted to learn. A summer vacation presents a profound opportunity for you to learn a new skill that would add value to your life.  

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Benefits of traveling

Posted on March 6, 2021  in Uncategorized

Are you looking forward to traveling and exploring new places? It is a good idea to undertake a traveling adventure because of the benefits that come with it. You would be surprised to see what you stand to gain when you travel.

Here’s a guide that shows you some traveling benefits

It improves your health

The benefits of traveling are huge and one of the prominent ones is your health improvement. We all live stressful lives which increases the chances of heart disease and other stress-related illness. With traveling, you feel better physically and psychologically.

One of the strongest factors that impact your mental well-being is traveling particularly if you are not used to leaving your comfort zone.

It makes you smarter

If you are keen on getting smarter, you should try traveling. In this case, it would be best to travel to places that are alien to your culture. This will help you learn new information based on culture, food, language etc.

More so, you will learn new skills that would help you adapt to challenges you face when you travel.

It makes you an interesting person

Have you wondered why some people seem to be more interesting than others? One of the reasons is because they have traveled to some places and they have learnt a lot. Hence, when they hold conversations, they are always interesting because they are backed up with facts and experiences.

It expands your social network

In life, we need people to survive and even though you are an introvert, it is expedient to have people around you. Traveling helps to build your social network and establish valuable connections that would benefit you over time.

Anytime you travel, make a conscious effort to connect with people and expand your network.

Lifetime memories

One of the beautiful gifts of traveling is the ability to create lifetime memories. You will be able to tell your children and grandchildren stories of your traveling adventure, and you will hold these memories so dear.

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HOW VACATION HELPS IN ADDICTION RECOVERY

Posted on December 12, 2019  in Uncategorized

For some people, going on a vacation is important for them because, it helps them to refrain from addictive acts or substances. For other people, going on a vacation comes in handy for them because it serves the purpose of refreshing and revitalizing.

There are many times we feel extremely tired out because of the accrued stress at work and home. One of the best ways to ensure the stress is shed off, is to go on a vacation.

Going on a vacation helps you to put yourself in check. It avails you the perfect opportunity to make plans afresh, or modify the already made ones.

One of the major causes of addiction is stress, and it happens because people who go through this do not take out time to rest.

During periods when they are supposed to rest, they still utilize such periods to work, barely having enough time to rest. As a matter of fact, their rest hours at night would be smaller than usual.

Studies have shown that, people who do not spend ample time to rest, have a likely chance to develop cancerous cells. A vacation is great for people who go through stress all through their lives.

Some extremely busy people would want to call the bluff when the idea of a vacation is mentioned, but they should bear in mind that, one of the ways to make it happen is work delegation.

The delegation of work to other people allows you to face other important aspects of your life, which vacation belongs to.

During a vacation, it is advised that you are shut off from everything which connects you to stress. You can decide not to take your phone along, so that you would not be tempted to work from your vacation point.

Going on a vacation from time to time is a healthy act which must be imbibed. It reduces the chances of falling ill, and it makes you fit always to work and think well.

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BENEFITS OF GOING ON A VACATION

Posted on November 11, 2019  in Uncategorized

A good number of times we feel worn out and consumed by the stress and demands which comes with work. For people in this category, it is best that you have a vacation schedule which fits into your plan. Vacation makes you come alive, and this is their specific purpose.

One of the benefits of going on a vacation, is reduction in stress. Irrespective of your position in a company, starting from the head to the least worker, going on a vacation is necessary.

Everyone has a role to play in the company, and these roles come with their specific form of stress. Going on a vacation helps you to sleep properly, and play around having to do nothing.

On a vacation, you would have nothing to worry about, because you have left everything behind. This is why it is advised that, those who want to go on a vacation, should not use their home, no matter how comfortable it could be. It is best to travel out of your locality.

In addition to this, going on a vacation helps you to be more productive at work. Going on a vacation helps you to be a better worker.

A vacation is helpful in promoting creativity and aiding people to reconnect with each other. People who go on a vacation return as better people; revitalized and refocused to continue their jobs.

During a vacation, the ability of an individual to think clearly increases, and this positively affects their job performance. Getting back from a trip, we have stronger bonds because we feel better in all aspects of our wellness.

Reduction of stress is necessary, alongside with relaxation, and when we have the chance to go through them, we have a better relationship with others.

It is necessary for us to take a break from our digital devices sometimes, and this is what a vacation provides. This act is known as digital detoxification, and it helps us to temporarily lose any connection we have with anyone.

This is important in helping us rest, relax and unplug. When we get back, we would definitely feel better.

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Sober Vacation Ideas

Posted on September 25, 2015  in Uncategorized

Those who say that being sober on vacation is no fun are ridiculous. Being sober on vacation is what enables you to remember the vacation. It is not a sin to indulge a little on vacation, but for those who have a personality that enjoys excess, sobriety is the way to keep a vacation happy and healthy. Just like in any other area of life, sobriety is ultimately the method that works far better than debauchery. There are a number of ways you can enjoy yourself sober on vacation.

The best way to enjoy your sobriety on vacation is by making the most of it. You will have energy and clarity that you would not have if you were intoxicated or busy going overboard. Spend it on exploring the region you have traveled to and exposing yourself to things you will likely not be able to see again. Anywhere worth vacationing in certainly has landmarks and attractions that you can take in. You will be amazed at how captivated you are by these wonders, and how infrequently you will find yourself bored.

In lieu of taking in attractions, you should also make the time to be active in the outdoor realm of where you have vacationed to. If it is somewhere with beautiful natural scenery, you would certainly be missing out if you did not get outside to see the natural beauty of the area. You can ride your bike through the region to explore it, if it is an urban landscape. If it is a scenic region, you will likely have a number of options available for outdoor recreation, including hiking, swimming, biking and sky diving.

And lastly, you will be so much more culturally aware while you are sober. Take in the local culture of the area you are in. Go to museums, attend live music events, learn where the locals go.

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Why Vacation and Excess Go Together

Posted on September 25, 2015  in Uncategorized

People’s vacations always seem to carry a theme of excess. Excess spending, excess recreation, excess consumption and excessive revelries. It would seem that the whole purpose of vacation was splurging by observing the average vacationer’s behavior. It is very common for people on vacation to become carried away by their urge to be excessive and they end up with enormous regrets. Going beyond your means and making bad decisions is mentally unhealthy, so why is it that so many people fall into this trap on vacation?

From a psychological stand point, the average person’s approach to vacation is cathartic. They view vacation as the ultimate release from the monotony of every day life. The average person does not work their dream job or feel entirely satisfied with their vocation, nor do they feel entirely satisfied with their relationships and personal lives. For the average person, it is much easier to cope with these difficulties by burying them in escapism rather than working them out in a healthy manner. That is what vacation is used for.

When something like vacation takes place for a person who has been suppressing unhappiness, they lose the ability to control themselves. They order drinks perpetually. They do drugs if drugs factor into their lifestyle. They shop and spend as if they are independently wealthy. And they eat as if their health is invincible. This behavior can come with heavy consequences, whether the possibility of them is acknowledged or not. Substance abuse, in the form of eating, drinking or doing drugs, is capable of ending a person’s life. Heart attacks and overdoses are far more common among those on vacation than those at home. Overspending is something that people always regret because it is merely debt that has to be paid down later. And bad choices that wreck marriages and reputations cannot be undone.

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