Who wouldn’t mind a relaxing vacation on a beach, away from life's daily stresses from work, socialising and technology. The constant battle for 'me' time leaves most of us frustrated and exhausted week after working and socialising week. Whether it's constant connectivity to social media, your Blackberry, or endless computing work at a work station, we think it's time you took a mental vacation for a day - right where you are - in your city, even in your own home. Today, we have two psychologists - Dr. S. Sudarshan and Dr. Pulkit Sharma, tell us about the importance and need of a mental vacation in today’s day and age. 

Dr. S Sudarshanan, Consultant Psychologist at Rockland Hospital, New Delhi

"Stress is an adaptive response and moderate amount of stress improves performance efficiency and motivation. However, only till the extent technology and gadgets don’t disrupt the quality of life. In the present day, stress takes long hours of work, unemployment, travel fatigue and unavoidable stress related to raising a family in working couples like a family support, marital issues are already taking its toll. Use of gadgets and technology excessively has an escapist measure if only compound to daily stress.

Preoccupation or obsession with gadgets limits communication, social interactions and offers strained relationships. Excess of drugs or alcohol complicate matter for self and family and the occupational situation. It would be prudent to set limits and seek support of such gadgets only to enhance your efficiency. Rather get back to healthier recreation habits like outdoor games, reading gardening and community activities."

Dr. Pulkit Sharma Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytical Therapist at VIMHANS, New Delhi 

"Technological gadgets, drugs and parties - these are the new-age defense mechanisms that people use to ward off stress. But, in the long run they end up becoming stressors. The instant fun and excitement that they offer becomes a source of soothing. While they can bust some stress temporarily, dependence and addiction whether it is on parties, drugs or gadgets can be crippling. Lately there has been a huge rise in cases where people develop such addictions and this has an adverse impact on their individual, relational, social and occupational functioning.

Some of the people are trapped in an endless cycle: they feel intense frustration, emptiness and boredom at the core of their self and wish to escape from this sense by seeking the excitement and distraction that drugs, parties and gadgets provide. However once they get back to the real world they feel deep despair as they realize that the excitement and happiness was illusory and the demands of real world confront them. This heightens the sense of frustration and emptiness and they get back to the distractions to be frustrated once again.

It is important to take a mental vacation, some time away from these distractions and get in touch with your thoughts and feelings. This provides strength and vitality to your inner self. It is also healthy to indulge in creative activities such as writing, dancing, music, drama and sports to deal with the stress rather than relying on passive means." 

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