The migration south has started and none too soon. The cold and wind have picked up. Hurricane season isn’t officially over until the end of November. So there’s a balance between really heading south to warmer climates and waiting safely in reportedly hurricane free zones. The cooler the temperature, the less chance for landfall hurricanes. But, the cooler the temperature, the more uncomfortable for this crew.
Friday we started the first of many legs south and one of the rules we have aboard is that unless it’s just an overnight stop, this crew has to take a mandatory down day. The weather isn’t conducive for us to continue moving, so Saturday was our mandatory down day.
Reasons for a down day…
1) We always have an agenda when we come into a new port, but if we start exploring too early, we can get snippy with one another. Sailing is a beautiful sport and way of life, but the sea air can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating. We never really know how exhausting until tempers start to rise.
2) Rest and reflection are good for the soul and in our society I’m not sure we really know how to relax. I know I get itchy when I have nothing to do. I never did understand when my children said they were bored. Back to my point: Fall is a season of preparation, putting up the harvest for the long days of winter. But the pioneers knew how to relax when it was time to relax.
3) At any time on the boat we could be called into action, so days of rest can be few and far between. We may have to maintain anchor watch or move the boat for more protection from storms which may blow up. By creating a mandatory down day we get the rest we will need. And, we maintain a happy crew.
What we do during a down day…
1) Anything we want as long as it’s not project based.
2) We play games. Our favorites are Rummikub and Dominos
3) We talk. Oh, my. How many times do we just take time to talk with our partners? It’s a bit awkward at times, but so beneficial.
4) We read and watch movies
5) Sometimes we even go to shore and stroll. No shopping, no tours, just stroll a new town or place.
6) By the end of the day, we may check in with our neighbors introduce ourselves and find out any news.
Down days are not easy, they’re necessary. We are still training ourselves to get the full benefit from a down day. Life has so many twists and turns, do you have mandatory down days? Do you think you’d benefit from them? What do you do when you take one?
I am a huge believer in down days. All work and no play makes for unhappiness. We all need to unwind, relax, and rest so that we are ready for the more stressful things in life. And no where is this more important than when you are sailing so good for you for making it a priority!
Thanks Natalie. It’s hard to force yourself as a land dweller to take that mandatory down day with all the demands on your time. But I now understand the importance more since the crew lives in such a small space. The benefits are amazing.
You have a good system when taking a passage in stages. Land brings out the rasp of nerves but chilling for a day put you back where you should be.
I like long open ocean passages. After the first 24 hours everyone settles into the watches and personalities take a back seat. Aftet 3 days everyone is set and you can go for days in a contented routine. But as soon as land is sighted the tension return.
I do envy your life, Nancy!
I need to learn how to do a down day. At the moment, down days are “get the to do list done or you’re going to regret it” days…lol…not quite the same thing!
I feel your pain Carrie. Putting the to-do list aside is the hardest part of a down day. But you are so ready to attack that list when it’s over the day is worthwhile after all.
I recognize the need for down days, and sometimes envy the gift to the pioneers of the Sabbath, a mandatory down day. I remember my father complaining he wasn’t allowed to ‘have fun.’
I am trying to schedule some down time each day, but every day commands my attention to either writing, bookkeeping(two businesses), exercising, household, grocery shopping, paying bills, wonderful social contacts through email, Twitter and Facebook, and blogs, and continuing education related to writing. But once in a while, the brakes come on, and I walk away from it all and just enjoy. Visits from out of town family mandate down time, and I love it. I do recognize that insomnia occurs if I don’t get away from my computer by 8 PM. I wonder if my efficiency would rise if I indeed took a whole day off? Sounds lovely.
Hearing about your precautions for healthy attitudes, a happy crew, and sailing safely warms my heart. Much of your approach would benefit those of us landlocked folks! Amazing lives you lead!
I find if I only take 30 minutes of down-time I’m not as refreshed as scheduliing whole days. They don’t happen very often, unless we’re moving the boat a lot, but when they do, I feel so refreshed.
That reminds me, I am way over due for a DOWN DAY! DH just said the other day “Why are we busier than when the boys where growning up, yet is seems we never get anything done? “
Christmas Card Day????
HEY!!!! Don’t I still have a month to think about those?
It was just a thought. LOL
I take down days sometimes, usually when I get run-down and feel too blah to do anything productive. It makes me feel guilty though, like I’m not being productive, even though I do recognize that rest is being productive. Maybe I’ll think about scheduling some mandatory down days for myself. It will be a battle with my conscience, but it would probably be beneficial.
When I do take them, I like to curl up and watch a great show or movie. Castle is one of my feel-good go-tos. So are Disney movies.
Angela, I think about my life on land and I too felt guilty if I sat and read an entire day or watched movies. I think the trick is to plan them. Know when your life is going to turn upside down and schedule the day. It doesn’t eliminate the guilt, but the down day becomes something you’re supposed to do. See?