The overworked working world: have we reached a point where it's too stressful to relax?
When is your next vacation? Or better yet: when is the last time you took a vacation? If you're like 26 percent of Americans, you aren't planning to take one this year; and if you're like over 50 percent of Americans, you'll barely make an effort. Only if you're in the lucky 14% will you take a vacation for two or more weeks this year.
What are the reasons for this lack of leisure in the US? Well, 'lack of leisure' isn't exactly accurate: Americans spend more money on 'leisure' than anyone else in the world - yet surprisingly, they still take the fewest vacations. The reasons are many, ranging from a lack of paid vacations to an overall profit-driven mentality: after all, it's important to work hard and be 'available' when the boss needs someone to take on the next big project. Moreover, people feel it's too much extra work to take a vacation, because they have to get ahead of their workload in order to leave, then catch up upon their return. And while the 'market' for free time in the US has long been limited, one has to ask: have we really reached a point where it's too stressful to relax?
The International Labor Organization's chief economist, Lawrence Johnson, stated:
"Workers in the United States are putting in more hours than anyone else in the industrialized world."
In fact, the average American works over 1,980 hours a year - that's 100 more than workers in Canada, 250 more than workers in Britain, and 500 more than workers in Germany.
That said, a great deal of the working world feels overworked. What's more, a holiday often seems out of reach based on the immense amount of work that 'needs' to be done. Some people even forego their holiday allowances because they feel they have too much 'catching-up' to do; in fact, Americans currently give back almost $21 billion in unused vacation time to their employers - that's 574 million days of unused vacation days per year. So how does one break the cycle? It's certainly easier said than done - but the only way to achieve this might be to simply yield to a bit of time off.
"Workplace stress can take its toll. In order to maintain a strong state of mental health, [we] need a release and a source of replenishment," said Dr. Dorothy Cantor, president of the American Psychological Foundation. "[A] vacation will eliminate stress, encourage relaxation and provide opportunities for rejuvenation."
When it comes to taking a bit of time off, you have loads of options to consider. Ask yourself what you've been missing: is it the excitement of concerts, musicals and performances in a city, the serenity of the sea, or perhaps the fresh air up in the mountains? Whatever your idea of relaxation may be, rest assured that it's not as far off as you think.
If you don't have a sufficient amount of time to take off from work, or if you've used up all your vacation days, consider a weekend break. There are loads of relaxing and reviving options for you to take into account - from the short spa getaway to the activity-filled city break. And don't feel as though you have to plan an itinerary - sometimes getting away from your everyday environment is simply enough to revive you.
When it comes to arranging a relaxing retreat, you have countless options to consider in terms of accommodation; many hotels even offer in-house spa treatments, allowing you to make the most of your tranquil getaway. Whether you decide to head to a bustling city, a seaside town or a countryside setting, you can expect to return home with a restored sense of well-being - just remember to leave your company phone, laptop or Blackberry behind.
About the author:
Andrew Regan is a keen soccer player.
The Birth Of The European Cup
In 1955 there was a championship game that consisted of winning teams from the European National Football Leagues. This league has evolved into what is now a tournament among domestic European teams called the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and has been operating as such since 1992. While the tournament may have changed names officially, for many it will forever be the European Cup.
The tournament includes three rounds of qualifying games. The teams who play in these games and the order in which they play are determined by their league performance and standards. In each round of the tournament teams are paired for competition according to those won the previous rounds. It sounds confusing I know, but there is method to the madness. This is particularly true if you live in the U.S. Most of us can relate somewhat as the NFL (National Football League) works on a similar premise as far as playoffs leading to the big game day when many people around the U.S. gathers around their televisions in order to watch commercials. This of course would be the primary difference as most people watching the European Cup are watching what is going on at ground level.
In this league there are eight groups of four teams. Each of the team plays the other teams in their group two times during the season, which typically lasts from the middle of September through the beginning of December. The top two qualifying teams from each group will move on to the next round of eliminations. This phase is an elimination phase that begins in February and ends with the big finale in May. This is when the pride of nations is on the line and the winner takes all, at least for one season.
In Europe people tend to stand behind their favorite teams and favorite players. These are countries that support their teams as they represent a certain national prize. Americans aren’t really fortunate enough to experience anything like that unless there are Olympic games going on somewhere around the world and then only for brief moments in time. European nations are able to experience that sense of national pride every day in many ways. There is nothing quite like experiencing that national pride as thousands of voices cheer in unison behind one time that represents them all.
Whether or not you are a fan of Manchester United year round it is quite possible that during certain games each year, you will cheer along with the fans of Manchester in order for them to have a victory over the team you most dread or fear playing your favorite team. For that brief moment, Manchester is your team too and most of us find that we do not easily forget that moment, as they are so incredibly easy to cheer on to victory. If your team makes it to the finals, let’s just hope they aren’t slated to play Manchester or we will be doomed to sit on opposite sides of the pitch.
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Learn How the Barre Helps Develop Great Dancers
For every ballet dancer, the barre is as much of a necessity as their ballet shoes. Used for a multitude of stretching and strengthening exercises, the barre is more than just something to support a ballet dancer through each fluid movement. Ballet dancers use it during their slow and repetitive warm-up routine.
Beginning dancers who are starting on pointework find it useful to help strengthen their ankles while professional dancers use it to limber up. The following barre exercises are meant to build strength over time while aligning the body for correct placement.
Plies
Plies are the first exercise done in a ballet class at the barre. These movements are done to make the joints, muscles, and tendons soft and flexible. Plies are also helpful to develop a sense of balance.
Tendus
Tendus are done to articulate the joints and muscles in the feet and ankles to warm up for the remainder of the class. They also help to force the instep outward and to develop the arches.
Degage
Degages are an extension of tendus and they help further the development of the instep. This exercise also strengthens the toes and improves flexibility of the ankle joint.
Frappe
Frappes strengthen the instep and toes. They also help develop the power of elevation.
Rond de Jambe
Rond de jambe a terre works to turn out the legs from the hips and to loosen the hips. It also forces the toe well back and the heel forward. Rond de jambe en l’air is done to turn the legs out from the hips and to keep control of the core for balance.
Developpe and Fondu
Developpe is a great strengthening exercise for the abdomen, legs, and back muscles. It also improves the ability to sustain an extension of the leg in the air. Fondu works the muscles in the legs needed to improve jumping.
Grand Battement
Grand battement is the last exercise at the barre and is usually done after a stretching exercise. Grand battement limbers and strengthens the legs and hips. It creates a lightness of the legs useful for steps of high elevation. Grand battement also increases the height of leg extensions.
The barre is also a great way to get back in shape after an injury or absence from dance. No matter how you use it as a dancer, the barre is a vital tool in your dance preparation and actual performance.