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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
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I'm going to talk about something I think is fascinating today. Totally fascinating. And that's your idea of a vacation.
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A lot of you want to take
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
a vacation because you think, ah, I'm going to refresh myself.
I'm just going to sit by water,
be it an ocean, a lake, a river, a pool, put my feet up, read trash novels. And after that week I'll be revving to go refreshed. My brain will be happy and I'll go back to work and be just a killer. Yeah. Have you realized that generally you say after a vacation, I need a vacation to get over the vacation? Because it might be good if you're
really physically, mentally tired, to have a
day or two where you're a vegetable. But it's not really the way our brains prefer to refresh. They like to go to something. Our brain cells like to go to something new. My first week long vacation of this year, I'm spending half of it in
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Ohio, learning
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
incredibly better skills in leather work. My newest well, it's not so new. I think we're a year and a half now working into it. And I work at it when I'm very, very tired. Not just for vacation, but say on a weekend or on a Thursday, my brain is just tired. The workout was tough. I did.
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Ah. I will lay down, turn on a
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
stupid movie and have my tea. That's a brief episode to just let your blood pressure and everything come down. I can't do that every day and feel refreshed and ready to go back to work
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for me and for most
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
of you, as it turns out, at least 40% of you take what is called a skillcation skill cation. Learning a skill or getting better at a skill could be anything. Could be going somewhere and spending a week learning how to bake. Could be anywhere. Going for a week and learning this new thing about being able to detect what bird that is from its tail feathers and its squeak. Could be anything. Rock climbing. Let me ask you, when you're lying down under the sun, reading a trash book or just trying to relax, does your brain really stay away from work or troubles or finances? No, it doesn't. You go in and out of that, you get yourself a little frustrated with it. That's reality.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
But on a skillcation I remember went to Phoenix and decided it would be very cool to climb boulders. Climb rocks, climb up that hill, that mountain with using your feet and your fingers. I was wired. They had a rope and they make sure you don't fall. And I kept saying, you sure? Yes. You sure? Yes. Okay. When I got into it and you're trying to think of where to put your fingers, where you supposed to put your toes. Trust me, not a thought in your mind goes into work. Troubles, family troubles, Elbow troubles. Except maybe if you're climbing, you're not thinking of troubles, you're relaxing in a different way with mental and or physical exertion. It's a psychological need to truly refresh and reset. Relaxation is what most of you think about resetting and it doesn't work. I mean a little bit of it works, but a mastery experience, Learning how
to do something or learning how to do something better.
Having a sense after the vacation of achievement and competence in something that's exhilarating. There's nothing exhilarating by sitting by the side of a pool, not putting your sunblock on often enough.
Sprouts Farmer's Market Spokesperson
So if you really want to refresh
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
your brain, take a skillcation because you'll be focused and fired up again because it's exciting and you feel a heightened sense of competence at something. Makes you feel good, makes you happy, makes you smile. So think about that because that's what I'm going to be doing next month in the state of Ohio. And boy, getting there is quite a difficulty in terms of getting there at a reasonable time. Okay, if only they would leave at like three in the morning, I could be there at a reasonable time. But whatever, it's worth it. And I thought a lot about it. I thought, am I really going to spend my vacation time doing this? And the answer was yes. Yes. And I'm really excited and really happy about it, really. So you need a skillcation if you want your brain really to be happy at the end of it. Line number 1-800-375-2872.
Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos seven days a week and feature some of
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There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura
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Inspiration.
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Every time you go to bed with a negative thought, you have to match it up with a positive one.
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That's your new rule, Dr. Laura. Weekdays at 2pm east on SiriusXM Triumph 123 and on the SiriusXM, your outdoor
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The Dr. Laura Podcast Episode: Are the Most Refreshing Vacations "Skillcations"? Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger Date: May 27, 2026
In this engaging episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger challenges traditional ideas about what makes a vacation truly refreshing. Instead of opting for idle relaxation, Dr. Laura advocates for the concept of "skillcations"—vacations centered around learning or honing a skill. Throughout the episode, she shares personal stories and psychological insights, arguing that active, skill-based getaways can leave people more restored and fulfilled than simple leisure time. The discussion is rich in practical advice, humor, and relatable anecdotes.
Common Vacation Belief: Many people assume that lounging by water, reading novels, and “doing nothing” will leave them refreshed and ready to tackle work again.
Reality Check: According to Dr. Laura, passive relaxation often doesn’t deliver the rejuvenation people hope for.
Definition: A vacation spent learning or improving a skill, such as cooking, birdwatching, or rock climbing.
Benefits of Skillcations:
Leatherwork Skillcation: Dr. Laura shares her upcoming vacation plans to Ohio to pursue better skills in leatherwork, underlining the principle of “learning for refreshment.”
Memorable Rock Climbing Story: Past experience climbing boulders in Phoenix highlights how an engaging activity can help you truly “switch off” from daily pressures.
Dr. Laura’s message is clear and actionable:
If you want to finish your next vacation not just rested, but truly refreshed and invigorated, consider a skillcation. Learning something new, working on mastery, or engaging in an immersive hobby gives both your mind and spirit a much-needed reset. As Dr. Laura says, "You need a skillcation if you want your brain really to be happy at the end of it." (09:57)
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