Phillip K. Dick’s novelette, “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” (which was very loosely re-imagined as the movie Total Recall starring Arnold “The Governator” Schwarzenegger) imagined a world in which the budget constrained went on exotic vacations by having the memories just implanted into their minds. During the 60’s, this was known as “taking a trip without ever leaving the farm,” although the process involved chemistry rather than electronics.

The point being that the rejuvenating after-effects of the vacation could be achieved without ever actually going on the trip, as long as you remembered it. However, a team of Dutch researchers have discovered that the benefits of a vacation are largely enjoyed before you ever leave.  People are more relaxed and content than their non-vacationing peers during the build-up to a trip.  But once home again, their Reason To Live Index once again drops into line with their colleagues.

The study concluded that, “…to maximize the restorative powers of vacation, people should take multiple short breaks over the course of the work year, instead of saving everything for one long trip.”  And that when it comes to planning a trip, the top priority should be low stress.

Being on the verge of a long planned and well deserved vacation myself, I can certainly agree that the anticipation is compelling and restorative in it’s own right. Kim is in her element under the sun and frolicking in or near (shallow) water, and as her extra-pale Irish man I’m packing enough sunscreen to make my skin think it’s nighttime.  We are ready, and maybe a little anxious.

Further, we opted for a packaged deal to keep the planning stress low.  So all that seems on track.   I suppose for all I know we’ll be strapped into memory implantation chairs rather than airline seats upon departure.  But regardless of how the memories are achieved, I intend to have them, cherish them, and not let the return to the work-a-day world melt all those good feelings away prematurely.  Yet I’m sure everyone plans for that.

Either way, at least we still have a few weeks of contented yearning to enjoy.