124. 4 vacation myths that are keeping working parents burned out - Jennica Day
How many times have you caught yourself saying "I need a vacation from my vacation"? That's probably because you're vacationing wrong, and Jennica Day is here to debunk some vacationing myths that genuinely blew my mind.
Jennica is a vacation expert, author, former international teacher, and mom of three boys (who she is fully qualified to wrestle).
In this episode, she breaks down the science of rest, reframes what vacation actually means, and gives us a surprisingly simple framework that will change how you think about your time off, for good.
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Intro
(01:53) From varsity wrestler to mom of three boys — Jennica's origin story
(07:38) Permanent vacation that led to living in Cancun
(16:17) The 3 things that actually make a vacation restful: relax, detach, and control
(23:37) Why longer vacations aren't actually better
(27:40) Pre-vacation syndrome (PVS) and how to avoid burning out before you even leave
(38:20) Adventures vs. vacations — the distinction that will change your life as a parent
(42:31) The 4-hour break rule and micro-vacations
(57:57) 4 vacation myths debunked
(01:05:20) What Jennica is still trying to figure out
KEY TAKEAWAY
You don't need more time off, what you need is to vacation better. A 2-day vacation done right gives you the same health and wellness benefits as a 17-day one (and science is proving this!). The goal isn't to squeeze every last minute out of a trip; it's to actually rest, detach, and do what you want. And if you're a parent? Stop expecting adventures with your kids to fill your rest tank. They won't. Schedule your micro vacations like your sanity depends on it — because it kind of does.
About Jennica Day
Jennica Day is a vacation expert, author, and advocate for intentional rest and recovery. After experiencing burnout while living and working in Cancun, she dedicated herself to understanding the science of vacationing and work recovery. Her research and personal experimentation led her to develop the Vacation Hero Method, a proven strategy that promotes proper rest, prevents burnout, and enhances productivity. Author of the book You Need a (Better) Vacation, where she share evidence-based strategies to help individuals and organizations optimize time off for improved well-being, performance, and happiness.
Connect with Jennica Day
Website | https://thevacationnerd.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thevacationnerd
Book - You Need a (Better) Vacation | https://amzn.to/3ZMe6cG