A Spanish Holiday - Part 4.

I've just answered a comment, on my last holiday blog post, by Ken. He noticed that i wasn't sure what day it was when i wrote that post & he's right. I did have to think about it. As i've replied to him. That is what this type of holiday is all about really and exactly what we were looking for.
Especially, after the year that we've had so far.

Although, there is no regime to the holiday and that is one of the best things about being somewhere familiar and having no real plans for your time. It is amazing how quickly you start to slip into a kind of pattern and one that is so different to what you are used to.

For me, the day usually starts around 8am, when i get up and go and have a nice swim in the pool. I do this for a couple of reasons. One, because i think that's the best time of the day for a swim. Mainly because, as the sun is not yet made much of an impression, the water feels at it's warmest. The is not so much of a difference between the outside temperature and the temperature of the water.
I also swim, very badly as it happens, for the exercise aspect of it. It's a great way to wake you up in the morning and really gets you going.

But, even this, is a change to home life. Obviously, we don't have a nice handy pool at home. If only we did. But, when at home, my wife is always the first person to get up in the mornings. Whatever day of the week. And yet, when we're on holiday, it's always me that's up first.
So, why is this?

Well, after writing that last paragraph, i had a discussion about just that point, with my wife.
She agreed with what i'd written and said that, when on holiday, she has nothing to think about and therefore, nothing to really get up for. She feels more relaxed on holiday, because of this and consequently, she sleeps longer.
I do understand exactly what she's saying there. When you're at home, there is usually something that needs to be done. Whether that be work, or family related. That tends to keep your mind more acrtive and because of this, you don't tend to fully relax. And, subsequently, you don't sleep as well. Your mind is always, subconsciously, telling you that you should be awake and dealing with "stuff".

I can relate to this in a work context as well. Ok, so i'm not in work at the moment. But, when i was, i never felt particularly stressed and never felt that my work affected me at all. But, when i look back, i realise that it did. I've certainly felt better and more relaxed since i've stopped working and i know that i'm not alone in noticing that effect.
So, even if we don't realise it, our "real" life does have an effect on us and, as i said before, coming on a holiday like this is the perfect remedy for it.

The only trouble is, reality is only a short airplane ride away and it's only a matter of time before we board that flight.
Having said that. For me at least and for the first time ever, that is not the case.
And that will be the topic for a future blog post.