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 | | FINANCES NAMED AS #1 SOURCE OF STRESS AND #1 REASON AMERICANS ARE NOT TAKING VACATIONS, SURVEY SAYS | | | Bahama Breeze | | 08/10/2007 | | | Take Back Your Vacation Survey Provides Insights; Internationally Recognized Work-Life Balance Expert, Dr. Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., Offers Solutions
A new study commissioned by Bahama Breeze, a Caribbean-inspired casual dining restaurant company, and conducted by Harris Interactive(R) found that finances are the number one greatest source of stress for most American adults. In today's increasingly overworked society, when taking breaks from everyday stress and routine is more vital than ever to living a balanced life, 44 percent of U.S. adults who have vacation time are not using all of their allocated vacation time.
In Bahama Breeze's Take Back Your Vacation survey, 35 percent of U.S. adults said finances are their greatest source of stress - more than any other choice - while the top two reasons that prevent respondents from taking a vacation are the expense (46 percent) and work-related issues (30 percent).
Experts have long endorsed the physical and emotional benefits of vacationing, but if Americans increasingly believe they can't take a long vacation away from work, how can they achieve the work-life balance these exerts say is vital to maintaining health and happiness? Nearly half of all U.S. adults said they get the feeling of a vacation from trying something new (49 percent), enjoying a meal out with family or friends (47 percent), or a night away from household chores such as cooking and cleaning (46 percent). When they need a break from stress, the number one thing people do is go out for a fun dinner or drinks with family or friends (45 percent of U.S. adults).
The Take Back Your Vacation movement, a partnership between Bahama Breeze and internationally recognized stress and work-life balance expert Dr. Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., of The Stress Institute, encourages people to relax, unwind and enjoy an escape, away from the stress of everyday routines. Recognizing that a long vacation isn't an option for everyone, Dr. Hall suggests simple ways to reap the benefits of vacationing without leaving town on the official site for Take Back Your Vacation, www.takebackyourvacation.com. Combining work-life balance tips and stress management resources with digital elements that take visitors on a fun, relaxing mini-escape, Take Back Your Vacation is about helping people fill their lives with health, balance and happiness while waiting to take that dream vacation they've been putting off.
Below are just a few of Dr. Hall's work-life balance tips: 1. Take a break. Get away on vacation and relax. If you can't get away, create "mini-breaks" by doing the things you would normally do on vacation: take a walk outside (ecotherapy), unplug from technology, try new foods, enjoy a meal out, and spend time with loved ones. This allows your brain and body to recharge, giving you a refreshed feeling and outlook. 2. Eat mindfully. When you truly experience food for all it has to offer (smell, taste, color and nutrients), your body and soul will be nourished. Savor your meals and give thanks. Choose foods that are rich in B6 - such as bananas (or plantains), mangos, peppers, chicken, sweet potatoes, etc. - to reduce the effects of stress. Also, for your brain's sake, eat at least three servings of fish weekly. Salmon and tuna are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which may help protect the brain from the diseases of aging, among other health benefits. 3. Stay connected socially with family and friends. Get together for lunch or dinner, send an e-mail or call someone who means something to you. Do this at least twice a week. Research tells us people who regularly connect with others have a greater sense of health and well being. To read the rest of Dr. Hall's Top Ten Tips, visit www.takebackyourvacation.com. The site also features an entertaining "How Stressed Out Are You?" quiz and a free, downloadable vacation countdown clock.
In addition, those in need of a vacation have a chance to win a three-day, two night dream Caribbean escape for four to the Westin Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort in The Bahamas, courtesy of The Island of the Bahamas. People can enter to win the Take Back Your Vacation Sweepstakes online at www.takebackyourvacation.com, where they'll also find the terms and conditions.
About the Study
The Bahama Breeze Take Back Your Vacation study was conducted online by Harris Interactive between September 6 and 10, 2007 among 2,507 U.S. adults. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. A full methodology is available.
About Dr. Kathleen Hall, Ph.D.
Dr. Kathleen Hall, Ph.D, is an internationally recognized stress and work- life balance expert and founder of The Stress Institute, based in Atlanta. She authored the award-winning A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness, which received the 2007 Nautilus Book Award in the Self Help/Psychology/Personal Growth category, and Alter Your Life: Overbooked? Overworked? Overwhelmed?. For more information about Dr. Hall, visit www.stressinstitute.com.
About Bahama Breeze
With 23 locations nationwide, Bahama Breeze is the restaurant that brings you the feeling of a Caribbean escape and invites you to Feed Your Island Spirit(R) with the food, drink and vibrant atmosphere you'd find in the Caribbean. The restaurant is known for fresh, delicious seafood, distinctive chicken dishes and flame-grilled steaks, accompanied by refreshing, hand- crafted tropical drinks. Popular menu items include Breeze Wood Grilled Chicken Breast, Coconut Shrimp, Lobster and Shrimp Pasta and a daily fresh fish sheet offering guests a choice of several fresh fish species, preparations and side items. All Bahama Breeze locations are open for lunch and dinner daily, from 11 a.m. until late, and offer call-ahead seating. For more information, visit www.bahamabreeze.com.
SOURCE Bahama Breeze | |
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