GO ON VACATION, by Dr. Ogi Ressel

Wednesday, June 17th 2009

Warm hellos to everyone!!

Alright! I'm back!! And I'm ready to rock! I mean, who needs beautiful
South Carolina sunshine every day? And fabulous southern people who
talk funny? ....and when you say "thank you" to them, they reply, "uhum"?
.... and 105-110 heat and humidity? ....and the 88 degree surf?....
and the palmettos?.....and........?
I could go on but the bottom line is this: I had a great vacation.

Let me spell out that word for you: V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N. - aka REST, Time off,
Holiday, Time out, brain fog, mindless pleasure, etc.

Here is the "thing" that I want you all to get: You need a vacation!
There's a concept!

Yes! You need to recharge your batteries and your body. You need to
do this for you, and your family, and your patients And while on vacation,
you need to do things that you normally do not do - golfing, tennis,
kayaking, crabbing, swimming, bike riding, whatever. Or just sit there and
do nothing. Nothing? Yes, nothing. I have to tell you - it is hard to do. It's
like watching paint dry. Hey, I'd be at the beach and I'd watch the surf for
hours, and the people. And while there, I heard on the radio that the hobby
everyone enjoys the most is apparently people-watching. Sounds boring from
your side of the fence, but it is not. I want you to picture this: Here I am with
my fifteen year old son, Brandon, on the beach with our beach chairs in the
water, letting the waves wash over us. A mom and dad wander in front of us
with their two teenage kids - a boy and girl. The girl has an obvious scoliosis.
They are taking pictures of each other. What do I do? I offer to take a family
picture of them. AND then,... I mention to the parents that their daughter
has Scoliosis. Hey, I can't help it, I am a chiropractor.
Fulltime. Always. Even on vacation.
I gave them my card and asked that they call me for the name of a PEP Doctor
close to them. I am on purpose. I am deadly. Even on vacation.

And that is totally ok. You can still save a life - even on vacation.

When Christie picked Brandon and I at the airport yesterday, the first thing
she said was this: "Dad, you look so rested!" I rushed into the house just to
look in the mirror. ...and I saw the same face I always see.

"What is she talking about?" I thought. Here is the crux: You cannot tell if
you look rested or not, BUT others around you can. So while you may feel that
you do not need that vacation, that you are not tired, that you feel great, trust
me: You need one. And those around you who love you need to deal with a
different you. You owe this to your family.

...and no long weekends here. You need to take minimum 7 days off every 6 months.

Ok...here are the excuses: "But Dr. Ogi, I can't afford one." Right. It is not a matter
of affording one. No. It is a matter of needing one. You'd be surprised how much
better you'll handle all the day-to-day BS that hits your plate each day, after a vacation.

Does it need to cost a lot? NOT! You can even spend time at home - BUT no
work - you are on vacation!

So...for all the spouses out there - make certain your home doc takes you
on a vacation.

I know it is difficult when you are a sole dr. So..here's what you do.
Schedule everyone on Mon, Tues, and Wednesday. THEN, you are on vacation
- Thursday, Frid, Sat, Sun. Mon, Tues, and Wed. AND you're back at the office
on Thursday, Frid, and Sat. the next week. Easy. All the payments are in, everyone
is on schedule, and you've had 7 days off! Amazing.

So...do it.

And send me a postcard.

Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel