Feeling overworked? Underappreciated? A bit stressed out? If so, you may be thinking you need a vacation and you need it now! But what do you do if you can't get time away for several weeks? Don't wait. Instead, take a vacation in place -- a restorative "refueling" break. It's not the same as a week at the beach, but it'll keep you from burning out completely or from being too exhausted to move when you finally do take time off.

One of the problems with our 24/7 society is that many of us think in all-or-nothing terms. On weekends and vacation days we relax, rest and play. But then comes Monday, and we go nonstop, leaving all relaxing behind. Suppose that instead, whenever your energy waned, you stopped and gave your battery a 10-minute charge. Your productivity would climb, your stress would diminish and you might even feel like going out with friends during the week. See if any of these recharging breaks appeal to you.

Engage in Vacation Play
One of the problems with all-or-nothing thinking is that we engage in certain activities only on vacation when we could enjoy them anytime. True, you can't scuba dive in your backyard or go deep-sea fishing from your office window, but there are many vacation-type activities that you can do anywhere. Stop and read one chapter of a beach novel, or work on a crossword puzzle for 10 minutes. Practice your putting or ask the office "pro" for a few pointers. Chat with someone you care about. Share a few jokes. By briefly disengaging, you'll be more mentally alert when you resume "work." That's the power of a mini vacation. If you spend 10 minutes a day "playing," by the end of the year you will have vacationed a total of 61 hours -- more than one full workweek!