Recent research has shown that if people go on vacations every year they can reduce their risk of developing a serious disease.  Stress in the workplace as well as at home can effect a person’s mental and physical health in so many ways. 

Whatever relaxing holidays you feel like taking, from vacations at all inclusive resorts or exotic beach vacations, to pampered luxury cruises and cruise tours, you can dramatically lower your risk of heart attacks and many other life threatening medical conditions.  The catch is that you need to take at least one holiday every year.  Just as the cumulative effect of not taking vacations can make you sick over time, conversely, taking a two to three week vacation each year can help you stay well. 

It appears that the stress of our daily lives caused by a number of factors may be contributing to this phenomenon.  As a result of this recent economic down turn, the workplace is probably the main reason or factor.

One of the primary reasons that this is happening is this electronic age we live in where we are so tied to our jobs that we feel we’re at work even when we are not even there.  Quite literally, we are only a phone call, an email, or text message away from our job.

Many people have the feeling that they’re on a treadmill that’s speeding up and they can’t seem to get off.  They may be working as hard as they can to try and be successful in their own business, or they could be constantly concerned about how long their job will be there for them in these recessionary times.  It’s the worry and uncertainty that can be all-consuming and can make people very ill over time.

This accounts for tremendous stress, trouble sleeping, depression, and a host of other stress related medical conditions.  Even not eating properly, or drinking too much coffee or alcohol can make the problem worse. 

It seems obvious many families have had to cut back on, or even eliminate taking vacations completely because of the cost of travel, although the costs of many holidays have actually dropped over the last number of years. 

However, some vacations can be less expensive than others.  Here are some holidays that may not break the bank.

Perhaps the most relaxing holiday that you can take is a luxury cruise.  It can also be the best value for your vacation travel dollar for a number of reasons.

First of all, you are basically living on a floating hotel resort.  You will enjoy all of the benefits and amenities of hotels and resorts all rolled up into one neat, affordable, no hassle vacation.  If you have never been on a cruise before, maybe now is the time that you should have this great experience.

Another great benefit is that you are in control of the amount of activities you really want to participate in.  Or, you can just veg out and relax in a comfortable deck chair in the wonderfully warm sunshine and take a refreshing swim in the pool next to you.  You don’t even have to get up to get another drink or some delicious appetizers as deck waiters are always there at your beckon call.  What an incredible stress free holiday!

You don’t even have to unpack and repack your travel luggage again and again as you sail to ports located in different cities or towns along the way.  All you have to do is enjoy all the amenities on board.

The only other cost to consider is a cheap flight to the port where you can board your dream cruise. 

However, if you live reasonably close to a cruise line port you can probably drive there and save a significant amount of money.  Even if you have to stay overnight at an inexpensive motel half way to your cruise line port, it probably would still be cheaper than airfares, especially for a couple, or a family. 

Check this list below to determine if you live close to any of these following cruise line port cities in the U.S.  The list in in alphabetical order for both the East and the West coasts of the United States.

The cruise ship ports on the East and the Gulf coasts of the United States. in alphabetical order are Baltimore, MD, Boston, MA, Bayonne (Cape Liberty), NJ,  Charleston, SC, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Galveston, TX, and Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL, Miami, FL,  Mobile, AL, New Orleans, LA. New York City, NY, Norfolk, VA, Philadelphia, PA, Port Canaveral, FL, Port Everglades, FL, and Tampa, FL.

The ports on the West coast of the United States. in alphabetical order are Astoria, OR, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Seward and Whittier, AK.

And in the aloha State of Hawaii, the ports of Honolulu and Maui.

For Canadians there are only two major cruise ship ports.  They are located in Montreal, Quebec, in the East, and in Vancouver, B.C., on the West coast.

All inclusive vacations at many wonderful resorts in places such as Mexico and the Caribbean are also among the best value for your holiday travel dollar.  These vacations include your food and drinks.

Other money saving travel deals are cheap vacation packages which usually cover your flight and hotel or resort accommodation.  However your food and drinks are not normally included

Enjoying a two to three week relaxing vacation each and every year that you are employed in the workforce is one of the best prescriptions to help you maintain your good health.

Single-family home prices in South Carolina fell 3.12% in the past 12 months but gained 0.39% in the first quarter of 2009, according to a report released today by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The housing price index report ranked South Carolina 20th in home appreciation for the past year, based on sales of certain existing single-family homes.

In South Carolina, home prices fell 3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the previous housing price index report.

Homes in the Midlands and Upstate metro areas mostly gained value over the past four quarters. Meanwhile, homes in the coastal metro areas included in the report lost value.

National and state-level data in the Federal Housing Finance Agency report come from sales of existing single-family homes with conforming, conventional mortgages purchased or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Metro area data also include appraisals used for refinancing.

Metro Area 12-month Change Quarterly Change Prior Quarter Change Spartanburg 3.18% 3.05% -4.49% Greenville-Mauldin-Easley 2.23% 0.67% 1.05% Columbia 1.32% 0.22% 0.41% Anderson -0.56% -0.35% 1.59% Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville -3.19% -0.20% -1.67% Myrtle Beach -7.10% -1.69% 0.98%

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency

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