Some people experience nausea and flu-like symptoms when they're away from the office and are supposed to be enjoying themselves on vacation. And that's, well, sick.
A vacation is often thought of as a cure for stress. But for workaholics, it's more stressful to be away from their normal workaday office stress. "The withdrawal of stress can be similar to withdrawing from steroids -- including changes in glucose metabolism and dramatic mood swings," according to a story in today's Wall Street Journal:
Other people seem to get so addicted to the adrenaline rush from stress that they gravitate to high-pressure jobs and keep piling on new challenges; some subconsciously push deadlines and complicate projects, creating stress unnecessarily.
Put someone like that on a beach for a week, and it's no wonder they can't relax.
Oh, the poor things: They can't relax at the beach.
That said, it does seem harder than ever to truly unplug and leave work behind. There's a solid argument to be made that checking e-mail and keeping up to speed with what's going on at work will in fact relieve stress -- because it'll make life easier when you get back to the office.
What do you think? Do you ever find being on vacation stressful? Do you keep up with work while you're away, and if so, how do you do it without ruining your vacation?
Detaching and enjoying yourself in the moment is sometimes easier said than done, so how do you do it?
The humble airplane peanut: Banned?
I can't even remember the last time I was given peanuts as a snack on a domestic flight. So I was surprised to hear that the U.S. Department of Transportation is considering banning the salty morsels altogether. The possible peanut ban is part of a larger proposal that includes other consumer protections such as increased compensation when you get involuntarily bumped from a flight. Plus a provision that would allow passengers to cancel reservations within 24 hours without a fee. Both solid additions. The peanut proposition is an attempt to show sensitivity to people with allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that about 2 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the allergy. But, according to AAFA, peanuts are the most common cause of death due to foods, a statistic that gets scarier when you think about tight airplane quarters. On the other hand, an outright ban would affect the peanut industry. A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution story reported that the Georgia Peanut Commission is fighting the proposed ban. Georgia grows about half of the peanuts in the U.S., so the industry could lose $20 million annually. Or, you could be like my fiance—one of the 3.3 million people with peanut allergies in the U.S.—and say "what's the big deal?" So, what do you think? The DOT is taking opinions on all these proposed rules until Aug. 9 (although any decision wouldn't be implemented until 2011). But we want to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
The Opry celebrates a grand ole birthday
Heading to Nashville, Tenn., this year? You may notice a couple of abnormally large guitars beckoning you through the entrance of the Grand Ole Opry House—guitars reaching 20 feet high and made up of 3,000 pounds of steel and aluminum, to be exact. This new memorial honors the country music venue's 85th birthday, a bash that will draw participation from such classic legends as Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride to relative newcomers like Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley. Leading up to the grand finale on Oct. 8th and 9th, venues all around the city will be featuring additional concerts and special gallery exhibits throughout the summer. Grand Ole Opry House: In a strange turn of events last month, the Opry House was hit with the worst Middle Tennessee floods in more than 100 years, with water rising nearly four feet above the stage. While renovations are frantically underway, various area locations—the Ryman Auditorium, Allen Arena at Lipscomb University, and War Memorial Auditorium—are housing the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Country Classics shows until they return to their digs in October. Don't be surprised if you spot celebrities about town as they accept the duties of "guest announcer" from now until the party in Oct. (2804 Opryland Dr., 800/733-6779, ticket prices vary) Grand Ole Opry Museum: Due to reopen the first week of October and located just steps away from the Opry House, three new exhibits will allow a behind-the-scenes peek into Opry secrets, including images captured by the official show photographers Chris Hollo and Les Leverett, artifacts from young country performers rapidly rising to stardom, and memorabilia from the late Opry icon Porter Wagoner. (Grand Ole Opry Plaza, 2802 Opryland Dr., 800/733-6779, $5) Acuff Theatre: The venue for the grand finale Opry Birthday Concert is guaranteed to be full of surprises yet to be announced, and will bring out every who's who of country music entertainment. If you can only attend one event this year, this would be the one that you shouldn't miss. (2804 Opryland Dr., 800/733-6779, tickets and tour packages from $95) EARLIER Trip Coach: Dreamin' of Nashville
London: 5 best June values
While the British capital is at fever pitch over World Cup soccer, there are plenty of options for affordable things to do in the capital. Here's a selection. Wimbledon The World's greatest lawn tennis tournament begins on June 21, with the finals played on July 4. Tickets are pricey for Centre Courts—starting at $60—and the lines can be enormous. But around 500 tickets for these courts are reserved at the turnstiles each day (except for the last four days). Another tip: It's possible to visit Wimbledon for $16 after 5pm on weekdays—to watch games on the outer courts, soak up the atmosphere, and throng around the big screen showing the center court action on 'Henman Hill'. Details on wimbledon.org. (See Budget Travel's Wimbledon Made Easy story for more details.) The World Cup Wimbledon is overshadowed this year by the world's biggest and most lavish sporting event: soccer's World Cup, being broadcast from South Africa. London is covered in English flags as the English (not the Brits—who include the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish) hope earnestly for victory. You can watch England and the other teams progress on big screens all over London. The Fever Pitch pub (Fever Pitch, 474-476 Fulham Broadway SW6) on Fulham Broadway has 13 screens, covering every wall of the pub. Cargo (83 Rivington Street EC2, cargo-london.com) is a club in Hoxton showing every game on a 40-foot screen, with seating for 800, DJs and drinks are on tap at the Hammersmith Apollo (venues.meanfiddler.com), which has a screen as large as four London buses and free movie showings. Festival Brazil One if the biggest Latin American arts and festivals to have been hosted in London kicks off on June 19, continuing through until September. It takes place at the South Bank center on the Thames and features live music from the likes of Brazilian superstars Gilberto Gil, Maria Bethânia, and Tom Zé, poetry and literature and art from the likes of Ernesto Neto, whose womb-like lycra installations fill the Hayward Gallery; following his successful show at the Park Avenue Armory in New York. southbankcentre.co.uk. West End Live 2010 This summer event gives visitors the chance to see highlights of London's musicals and theater shows for free. You'll be able to catch edited and trimmed versions of Tony Award winning Billy Elliot, Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies, Mamma Mia!, Oliver, and Hair amongst numerous others. And there are small exhibits from the Science Museum, the V&A;, and the Royal Banqueting House, as well as kids games and activities. On the weekend of June 19–20, westendlive.co.uk. Pride London Festival Fortnight Britain's major gay and lesbian festival kicks off with a festive fortnight on June 18. A full program features music, theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, sport, debate, film, fashion, and literature events all across the capital. The gigantic march happens July 3. For info, see pridelondon.org, free.
BT Bookshelf: 3 specialized summer guides
Comprehensive, all-purpose guidebooks are great for your first few visits to a new place, when you need advice on everything from where to grab breakfast to which hotel is worth a splurge. But when it comes to the old favorites you revisit again and again, a sharper take on familiar territory is in order. Three new books out this month from The Little Bookroom—each compact, colorful, and concentrated—allow you to take fresh looks at iconic destinations. Karen E. Seiger's Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food, and Flea Markets ($17) is a shopper's dream. No other American city is more driven by market-style shopping (as opposed to the strip-mall and megamarket models), and Seiger's guide demystifies the process for all comers. In addition to reviewing dozens upon dozens of markets (including full-color photographs of items you're likely to find at each one and profiles of regular vendors), Seiger provides solid information about where to eat or get coffee near each market, and even includes a section of tips for navigating New York City in general. As if Paris needed anything more to recommend it, Kim Horton Levesque's new book Pampered In Paris: A Guide to the Best Spas, Salons, and Beauty Boutiques ($17) covers more than 50 places to get fussed over in the grand French tradition—or in the Thai, Chinese, or Indian traditions, if you choose. Spa etiquette, recommended treatments, useful terms (memorize this: plus douce means "softer") price ranges, and practical tips (don't save your spa day for Sunday, when most salons close) are all included. Spas are divided by arrondissement, and super-specialized spots for chromotherapy, thalassotherapy, and hammams get their own sections toward the back of the book. (Note to self: Pitching a Parisian spa-review book to a publishing house = a brilliant move. Just imagine the research!) The book also provides beauty-product shopping guides, from old-school recommendations (try the moisturizing Baume Automobile from century-old shop Detaille) to the best local-secret drugstore potions. Finally, handmade arts and crafts may not be the first things that come to mind when most folks think of Amsterdam, but thanks to Pia Jane Bijkerk's Amsterdam: Made By Hand ($19), they might at least make it onto the chart. This is Bijkerk's second Made By Hand book—the first, out last year, covered Paris—and details the Australian stylist's go-to sources for handcrafted props, accessories, and decorative objets in the city where she currently resides (in a houseboat, no less). Bijkerk even gives a foolproof tip for stepping right into the heart of Amsterdam's true local culture: Instead of heading straight out the doors of the Centraal Station and down tourist-clogged Damrak Street, just turn left right.* You'll find yourself in the lively, artsy Jordaan neighborhood—incidentally, the first destination in Bijkerk's book's shopping itinerary. One stop I'm definitely adding on my next Amsterdam trip: a visit to the atelier of mixed-media artist (and former Visual Director for Anthropologie) Leslie Oschmann, near the Rozengracht—conveniently located a stone's throw from many renowned design shops. *Due to an editing error, the wrong direction was inserted. Sorry! EARLIER More posts by Valerie Rains Our Affordable Paris blog series
