Fun Facts =)

The Vacation Deprivation Survey by Expedia has shown that:

• 49.4 million Americans are vacation deprived
• 34% of employed U.S. adults report they do not use their vacation days

Vacations have been found to be good in many ways.

• They are good for professionals: 34% of Americans say they come back from vacation feeling better about their jobs and are even more productive.
• They are good for one's health: 53% of employed U.S. adults say they come back feeling rested and rejuvinated after vacation.
• They are good for the family: 53% of employed U.S. adults say they come back feeling reconnected with family after vacation.

So...

If vacations have been proven to be good in more ways then one, then why do more people not take vacations? People often become caught up in their work and forget to take time off to relax. Their lives are so busy and stressful that they may feel they cannot afford a vacation from work. However, it is important to find that week or even just a few days to rest and to rejuvinate. Finding the time to unwind one's worries allows them to then return to their daily lives feeling refreshed and ready.

Final Blog

1.) When looking at my blog and way of thinking, I would classify myself as an ethical mind. I wrote about the different types of vacations and how they affect both people's mental and physical health. I looked through a view that considered the society and their busy lives. By seeing this view, I found that people often focus too much on work and stress; however, taking a simple vacation can actually positively affect their lives. Vacations eliminate stress and everyday worries, even though they only last for a little while.

2.) I exhibited curiosity by looking further into how vacations affect the lives of everyday people. I questioned them from a healthy aspect along with an enjoyable aspect; I wondered how thrill-seeking vacations compared to relaxing vacations.

I saw other points of view by considering the two types of vacations. I compared how some people prefer to relax on a beach while others would rather explore on an adventure. Both ways are forms of getting away from the "real world" and escaping to a place where one can enjoy themselves if only for a temporary amount of time.

I read with awareness of myself and others by considering how different people prefer various vacations. I considered my own view of vacations while still considering those of others. While I may prefer either relaxing or thrill-seeking vacations, others may prefer the other option.

3.) After developing my blog, what surprises me the most is that vacations have been proven to influence good health. Before writing this blog, I already knew that vacations helped to relieve stress from everyday life and create a time for relaxation. However, I was not aware that they could actually affect one's physical health by decreasing the chance of having a heart attack. This blog helped me to look at the health related aspect of vacations rather than simply the fun side of them.

Top Ten Family Vacations

According to the Weather Channel, the top ten family vacations are:
1.) San Diego, California ~ San Diego has a nice climate year round with many appealing attractions. The San Diego Zoo is home to six giant pandas along with 4,ooo animals and 100 acres to explore. In addition, San Diego also has 70 miles of beach that are available for relaxation and enjoyment.
2.) Orlando, Florida ~ Orlando is home to a variety of theme parks such as Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios. It is also the location of NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
3.) Yellowstone National Park ~ Yellowstone is the first national park in the United States. Its huge park offers hiking, camping, fishing, and the viewing of geysers, bears, wolves, elk, and buffalo.
4.) Hershey, Pennsylvania ~ Known as "The Sweetest Place on Earth," kids are sure to love the candy and theme park in Hershey. It is also the home to a zoo, botanical gardens, and the Hershey Museum.
5.) Atlantis, Bahamas ~ Themed after the Lost Continent of Atlantis, this vacation spot contains numerous water playgrounds, 11 pools, and 2 giant waterslides for the kids to enjoy. For adults, it also has a spa, 35 restaurants, and a casino. It is home to the world's larges open-air marine habitat built into several lagoons and a sparkling white sand beach on the emerald waters of the Caribbean.
6.) Caribbean Cruises ~ Most cruise ships offer fun for the whole family. Each cruise line offers different activities for all ages from kids to adults. These ships also stop at various ports throughout the Caribbean where visitors can explore the coasts.
7.) Maui, Hawaii ~ Although it may be a far distance to travel, the island of Maui has many beautiful natural attractions. Its more than 80 beaches, the dormant volcano Haleakala, and tropical reefs are sure keep the whole family happy. The Hana Highway is one of the world's most scenic highways as it passes waterfalls and the Pools of 'Ohe'o which are seven tiered pools that spill water down toward the sea.
8.) Washington, DC ~ The heart of Washington DC is home to a beautiful display of history, architecture, and park land. The U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, White House, National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History are some of the popular features of Washington DC.
9.) Estes Park, Colorado ~ During the summertime, the Rocky Mountain National Park and its eastern gateway Estes Park provide places for exploration and adventure. There are 359 miles of trails for hiking or horseback riding. Camping, fishing, climbing, biking, and wildlife viewing are also available here.
10.) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ~ This 60 mile stretch of Atlantic beaches is a family-friendly vacation for fun. Also, it is home to over 100 golf courses, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, malls, and theatres.

What Are You Going to Do Next?...We're Going to DISNEY WORLD!

Since July 17, 1955 when Walt Disney first opened Disney Land, families have been journeying from around the country to this little family park. Walt Disney first created "the Happiest Place on Earth" as a place where parents could take their children for a day of fun for the whole family. He wanted a place to go on the weekends with the family to simply enjoy themselves. Today, many families take vacations to visit Disney Land or Disney World all year round; however, the most popular time is during the summer. The original Disney Land was located in California, but due to the popularity of the park, Disney World was designed in Florida. This popular destination provides a family-oriented atmosphere where "dreams come true" as guests stroll through Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Throughout the years, Disney World has grown and eventually become four parks. The Magic Kingdom is the first of the four parks with it's main identifiable feature being Cinderella's Castle. The second park is EPCOT Center or Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. The third park created was Disney/MGM Studios Theme Park which is recognizable by Mickey's sorcerer hat. Fourth, Disney's Animal Kingdom is easily identifiable by the Tree of Life. Together, all of these parks create Walt Disney's dream vacation that he said "would never be completed as long as there is imagination in the world."

Transportation to Your Vacation Destination

There are many different forms of transportation to get you to your vacation destination. Many people choose to travel by driving in a car. Other people choose the faster choice and fly there on a plane or a jet. However, these are not the only ways of reaching your desired location. An old-fashion form of transportation such as a train is sometimes an option. Many people do not pick this option because of the more modern and quicker forms of transportation. In addition, other people choose to travel by boat. There are passenger boats, sail boats, or even cruise ships. In some cases, like a cruise, the boat is the vacation. Transportation is an important part of the vacation; the journey there no matter what way you choose is all part of the adventure.

Need a Vacation From Your Vacation?

Is it possible to take too many vacations? If one is away from their normal daily life, then do they begin to lose sight of reality? Vacations are nice times to escape from reality, but they are not meant to last forever. If you are always on a vacation, then the vacation becomes normal life. It loses it's sense of being away from the stress that ordinary life brings. One may form an unrealistic view of everyday life; they could begin to think that life is supposed to be simple and not require work. Then, when they finally do return home, they will not be prepared for what lies before them. They will once again face the stress and tension that they had become familiar with before their vacation; however, now they have acquired the false idea that daily life should be worry-free. So, this return to reality may make life seem even more stressful and difficult than before. Vacations are meant to be temporary reliefs from ordinary life, but they cannot last forever.

Vacations Are Not Only Fun...They're Good For You Too

As the old saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well...what about a vacation? Are vacations more than just times to get away from the "real world" and relax? Is it possible that they actually have a positive effect on people's health? Evidence has proven that there is a clear corrolation between lifestyle and stress. Recent research done by the Framingham Heart Study has showed that women who take vacations once every six years or less were about eight times more likely to develop coronary heart disease of have a heart attack. Another study over a nine year period showed that out of 12,000 men those who did not vacation annually were 33% more likely to die of a heart attack and had a 21% risk of death from other causes. In today's society, people may actually be working themselves too hard; some of them even to the point where it negatively affects their health. Many people work from sunrise until sunset - and some even past that - everyday of the week. As people work more, they often do not get the necessary amount of sleep needed to work so much. When workers are exhausted, they cannot do their jobs to the best of their abilities. So...what's the solution? Take a little time off work and go on a vacation to get away from it all.

...Or a Thrilling Adventure...

Perhaps instead of daydreaming about that beach up there you find yourself seeking an adventure. Are you longing to try something new or seeking to find excitement? While some people may enjoy the simple relaxation of a beach, others are thrill-seekers. Instead of thinking of vacations as escapes from reality, they view vacations as opportunities to find adventure and to explore. Whether it's skiing (water or snow), mountain climbing, white water rafting, hiking across a volcano, exploring a cave, etc, thrill-seekers are simply looking for something new and exhilarating. They look at vacation as a time to try new things that they have always dreamed of doing, but they just had not found the chance to yet. Thrill-seekers use vacation as a time to escape from "reality" on a breathtaking journey.

A Relaxing Escape...

Ever want to just get away from everyday life and take a break for a while? Perhaps you frequently find yourself sitting at a desk and daydreaming of that perfect place where all your worries simply fade away? To many people this picture perfect place is a calm and relaxing environment...for example a beach. While enjoying peace-of-mind as all your worries simply sink into the soft sand or drift away across the ocean waves, this place provides a kind of sanctuary...if only for a short time. It gives one a place where they can simply escape from "the real world" and not have to be troubled by common daily dilemmas. It is a getaway where one can forget their stressful lives back home and take time to simply relax. This type of vacation creates a time for one to slow down and to unwind their tense minds. It puts them at ease and prepares them to return to their lives refreshed and rejuvenated, so they can face the "real world" again with a tranquil mind.