First of all, it’s positive to see that people are openly talking about how important it is to relax on vacation. Many of us work hard, and the prospect of a break where you can let your mind wander is appealing. It seems that more and more people are recognizing that vacation isn’t just about changing your work location – like working with a laptop on the beach – but is truly about rest and recuperation. This openness in communication is certainly a step forward.

But as I saw all these posts, a few thoughts crossed my mind: Is this just a hype? Do people really mean it? Or is it simply a trend that people follow because so many others are doing it? And more importantly: Is it healthy to view vacation as the only time for rest?

In Germany, we’re fortunate to have an average of 30 vacation days a year – which is a lot compared to other countries. But even so, the question remains: Should I really only allow myself to relax on those 30 days? What about the remaining 335 days of the year? If my battery is truly empty, can one week really be enough to fully recharge it? And even more crucial: Did people actually relax, or do they just say that because it’s expected? The more you emphasize it, the more it seems to become true – at least outwardly.

Don’t get me wrong, I also use my vacation to relax – just in my own way. Each of us has our own idea of what a successful break looks like, and that’s perfectly fine. While some people find inner peace in quiet moments on the beach, I recharge my energy through adventure and new experiences. For me, vacation is not just about recharging my batteries, but also about discovering the world, experiencing new things, and growing from them. These experiences are what truly rejuvenate and inspire me in the long term.

But relaxation isn’t only important during vacation. It should be a continuous part of our lives – not just a one-time break each year. Our mental health is closely linked to our ability to take regular breaks and relieve stress. If we don’t regularly interrupt the stress cycle, it can build up over weeks or months and lead to serious health problems. It’s helpful to allow ourselves small breaks throughout the day and consciously create moments of calm to avoid falling into the vicious cycle of burnout.

A particularly useful tool in this regard might be the “30 Days to End the Stress Cycle” poster, which offers concrete steps to help reduce everyday stress. True relaxation means not just taking a few weeks off each year, but regularly recharging our energy to stay healthy and happy in the long run.

In the long term, this kind of regular relaxation brings enormous benefits: We become more resilient to stress, more creative, more productive, and overall more satisfied. This continuous care for our well-being carries us through the year and helps us to fully realize our potential.

Vacation is undoubtedly important. But perhaps we should ask ourselves whether it’s really healthy to concentrate all our relaxation into just these few days each year. What if we learned to incorporate small moments of relaxation into every day? What if we never let our batteries run completely empty in the first place?

For me, vacation isn’t just a time to rest. It’s a time to have adventures, meet new people, and immerse myself in different cultures. These experiences are what recharge my batteries – and they are what inspire me in everyday life.