Lesson #15: Vacations are awesome, so learn how to do them well

We swam with ALL the fishes. Snorkelling in Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Photo by Dylan).

Harvard Business Review is reporting that well-planned vacations will make you feel awesome:

[M]ost of the happiness gleaned from vacation is dependent upon the stress level of the vacation. Poorly planned and stressful vacations eliminate the positive benefit of time away. The less the stress, the more likely you will experience a positive benefit from the time off. A positive, well-managed vacation can make you happier and less stressed, and you can return with more energy at work and with more meaning in your life.

I couldn't agree more!

I spent the last week swimming with the fishes pictured above, along with other fishes, sea creatures, coral, shipwrecks and aquatic life. Usually, I am anxious before doing something I've never done before - jumping off the top of a mountain to zip-line 2,000 feet over the ocean, diving, sea kayaking - but I always do it anyway and it always turns out awesome.

The lesson? Plan well (like the good little HBR-reader you are), then go try all the crazy stuff.