Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about dealing with stressful times. Taking a vacation is a good way to escape from the stress of daily life, but what if you can’t afford to take a vacation this summer?
It’s not so much the travel that’s the important part of a vacation. What your brain needs is to get away from usual routines. Dr. Munro Cullum, a psychiatrist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says our brains need a rest now and then. All the bits of information we have to manage every day can add up to stress, and getting away from that for a little while allows us to recharge. Even if you don’t leave town, changing your daily routine and getting away from work can help. You’ll get the most benefit from a vacation — whether you travel or stay home — if you can really get away from work by not being on-call for the office. If you can, avoid checking e-mail or voice mail or being reached by the office on your cell phone.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/mentalhealth to learn more about
UT Southwestern’s clinical services in mental health.
