Single? Married? Stressed? No matter what your situation, nothing is more therapeutic then spending time with friends. When you need to laugh, cry, vent, whatever, a good friend is always there to help you through the good as well as the bad times.

Now imagine afternoon coffee and conversation with your best pal times 10! Chances are there are plenty of gals (and guys) who need a break from their daily grind and could use a little R & R. These days with the economy the way it is, stressful jobs (or lack thereof), relationships being tested to their limits, kids and more, it’s important that we make time for ourselves.  What good are we if we’re a hot mess?

Gathering your homies for a getaway is exciting from the moment the idea is brought up. It gives everyone involved something to look forward to and the planning can be super fun. And regardless of where you go and what your budget is, you’d be surprised how even 1 or 2 nights away from “the usual” can be exactly what the doctor ordered.

For women, it is a time to vent, gossip, play and be girls without the eyes of husbands, co-workers, kids and/or family glaring at you.  It’s important to keep your life fresh and youthful because these breaks allow you to recharge, gain perspective, relax and re-focus on what’s really important when you get back home. It’s like going to the chiropractor for your brain!

For men, the bonding and time away from naggy wives, work stresses and kids, gives them a sense of independence and control. It is important for a man to feel like he has time to decompress and be a guy so that he too can operate at his very best upon returning to the real world. Men value their “freedom” very much so it’s important that they get it every now and again so they don’t feel trapped.

Men and women who make time to enjoy life, separate from one another, are better at work, home, in relationships as well as parenting. Recapturing youthful and carefree moments are vital to re-enforcing who we are as individuals as well as how much we need human connections and relationships to keep us grounded.

There are a number of services available now for girlfriend getaways and “man”cations if you are looking for ease in planning. But I have to say that the best trips are ones that are planned by the group so as to find destinations and activities that suit each persons needs and interests.

A few tips to making your next girlfriend getaway/”man”cation a success:

• Communication is key – traveling in a group can sometimes be stressful. There are a bunch of personalities and other factors that can turn a great vacation into a nightmare. If you know you’re heading out for linger then a night or so, it’s best to go with close friends who really know each other well. Otherwise, be sure to set some ground rules on the plans, expenses, sharing rooms and any other things that might cause problems.
• Spend some time alone – If even sitting by the pool with a book for 30 minutes or a little walk around the camp ground, remember that you are there to clear your mind a relax. A little time to yourself will do wonders during as well as after the trip.
• Be sure you’ve cleared your schedule – During the planning, make sure that your time away is actually time away. Don’t leave before big deadlines or while something is going on at home that you’ll be missing. There is no relaxing if you you have to bring your work with you or if you are  yearning to get  home.

Remember, it doesn’t take a lot of money to get outta dodge, if even for one night. Plus group rates and splitting expenses makes the whole trip a lot more affordable. The more the merrier!

For more information, visit www.healthyvoyager.com

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