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Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
Spring break is almost here. Are you looking forward to getting away and having a worry-free family vacation? Advance planning can help you to stress-proof your family travels so that you can have the most fun and relaxing experience possible without undue worry.
A vacation with the family, while intended to give everyone a break and some relaxation, can be a stressful event in itself. Several factors can increase everyone's stress levels - the actual travel, unfamiliar surroundings, and perhaps a different language and culture. If all family members are dealing with their own stresses related to the different surroundings and lack of familiarity, the potential is heightened for conflicts among family members.
Lack of communication is one factor which can greatly increase holiday stress and worry. It's important to discuss the trip in advance and talk about what everyone's expectations are in terms of activity vs. quiet time, time spent alone, and the degree to which your days are planned or scheduled in advance. You should discuss your expectations of the vacation as well. One family member, for example, may crave activity and diversion while others may simply want to rest. Finally, people often get caught in the trap of unrealistic expectations while on vacation. For example, expecting anxiety and stress over work-related problems to magically disappear, or thinking that a conflict-ridden relationship will work itself out on vacation. Financial issues are often a source of stress for families on holiday. If you're on a budget, discuss how you'll handle things such as impulse purchases and eating out in restaurants.
If you are traveling with young children, it is important not to overload your schedule and to allow plenty of time for spontaneous activity. Location is not as important as the way your time is spent. "Kid-friendly" can be what you make it. It's perfectly possible to have a relaxing city holiday with children, visiting parks and zoos and taking leisurely walks. It's also possible to turn a tropical paradise into a tense and stressful place if your days are overscheduled and you're constantly tired and quarreling.
Children can become stressed by a vacation just as adults can, although they may show their stress in different ways. It's not surprising that children may experience stress when they are in an unfamiliar environment and confronted daily with new experiences. Since many children are not able to recognize or verbally convey their feelings of stress, their stress may manifest itself in their behavior. For example, children may behave in a way that is inappropriate for their age, or they may appear to be moody or temperamental.
While a "worry-free" vacation is likely an unattainable goal, an ideal vacation is one in which the "good" stresses (i.e. dealing with unfamiliar cultures, increased contact with family members) are not outweighed by the "bad" stresses (arguments, tiredness, resentment).
Here are six brief spring break vacation survival rules:
Accept others' wishes and be prepared to compromise. Everyone should have some opportunity to do things he/she wants. In most families, this means compromises on everyone's part. Recognize that you may have to take part in some activities that wouldn't be your first choices, for the sake of group harmony. Give yourself plenty of time for the trip. Rushing to catch a plane or train only increases everyone's stress level and leads to conflicts. This is especially true when traveling with very young children who are likely to require more breaks and cause unpredictable interruptions. Don't overextend your schedule. Very few people can do a "whirlwind tour" of five cities in seven days and remain relaxed, and trying to do so would be unthinkable for a family with young children. Likewise, don't try to fill your days with too many commitments and activities. Leave time to see where your whims and moods take you. Communicate without being confrontational with other family members. Don't sulk and act resentful if it seems that nothing is "going your way." Kindly mention to the others that you're feeling disappointed that you haven't been able to see or do whatever it is you feel is important to you. Suppressed anger and resentment can easily ruin your dream vacation. Be realistic about your expectations. If your children misbehave at home, they're not going to behave perfectly just because you're on vacation. Interpersonal differences and conflicts won't magically disappear. Relax and have fun without expecting the very state of being on vacation to "cure" any difficulties or problems you may be facing back home. REFERENCE: eMedicineHealth.com. Stress.Last Editorial Review: 3/13/2012
Memorial Day has come and gone and the unofficial start of summer is upon us. With the last day of school not far behind, students everywhere are dreaming of warm weather, fun summer activities, and—let’s not forget—no school. 
PC and Xbox 360 Offer for StudentsMicrosoft’s buy a PC, get an Xbox student offer is back. Students who purchase a thin, powerful Dell XPS 13, a beautifully designed HP ENVY 15 with thumping Beats Audio, or the ultra-sleek Samsung Series 5 PC will also get an Xbox 360. Together a Windows PC and Xbox 360 provide students the functionality they need for school and fun social connections they want online.
The Acer Timeline X 5830T combines 9 hours of battery life with a slim and lightweight profile to deliver fantastic portability in a 15.6-inch notebook. Powered by the second-generation Intel Core i5 processor, the Timeline helps complete daily tasks faster, and its dual-tone aluminum design in cobalt blue makes it a stylish companion wherever it goes. Price: Starting at US$699.
The ASUS ZENBOOK UX21E uses a precision-crafted design measuring only 3mm at the front and 9mm at the rear. The form features razor-thin edges and a curved center section, which is both practical and attractive – while accommodating the powerful computing components within. The one-of-a-kind design embodies beauty and strength in complete balance and harmony. Price: Starting at US$899.
The Lenovo IdeaPad U300s series is available in Clementine Orange and Graphite Gray, complete with a long battery life and powerful capabilities in an ultraportable package. This Windows PC offers immaculate design, high-quality construction and breathtaking speed. Price: Starting at US$1199.
The Windows Sony VAIO S features a hard disk drive and a state-of-the-art processor. This customizable laptop perfectly combines mobility and performance — all wrapped up in a slim, go-anywhere form factor. Price: Starting at US$799.
Prepare to bring your entertainment to a whole new dimension with the Toshiba Qosmio X770. Great for games, movies and anything else you can throw at it. Available in array of colors, the one-piece magnesium-aluminum cover is both strong and beautiful. The smooth glass touch pad and textured palm rests give it a sophisticated feel, making it perfect for the tech savvy and style conscious alike. Price: Starting at US$1149.99.
Windows ultralight new Toshiba Portégé Z835 Ultrabook is clad in brushed magnesium-alloy and weighs less than 2.5 pounds. It features long battery life of up to eight hours, a spill-resistant LED backlit keyboard and Toshiba Hi-Speed Start Technology, which saves time by offering a quick boot-up in a slim 0.63-inch form factor that will appeal to fashionable business professionals and consumers alike. Price: Starting at US$899.
With instant mobility, ultra-responsiveness and super-slim design, the Windows Acer Aspire S3 is Acer's most mobile and responsive notebook ever. This Ultrabook is not only ultra-aerodynamic, razor thin and feather light, but delivers everything you expect from a standard-size notebook. Perfect for any traveler to enjoy life on the go in style. Price: Starting at US$799.
The Windows Samsung Series 7 Slate gives PC power packed into an ultraportable device, taking mobility to a new level with a touch-focused design. This slate weighs just shy of two pounds and is only a half-inch thick, making it perfect for users who need a slim, lightweight computer but don't want to sacrifice true PC functionality. Its 170-degree viewing angle makes it easy to share and view content from anywhere. Price: Starting at US$1,299.
The HTC TITAN II has the largest screen of any Windows Phone – perfect for surfing the Web and watching movies. It also comes with a 16MP camera to always get a great shot. Price: US$199.
The Nokia Lumia 900 comes in a variety of colors and has a vibrant screen to surf the Web, share favorite photos and watch videos in style. Price: US$99.99.
The Nokia Lumia 710 Windows Phone is fast and durable; it's the phone that keeps up with any lifestyle. Price: US$39.99.
The Samsung Focus II brings your social circles into clear view. With AT&T's 4G LTE network, you get the best display and picture quality, plus fast Web access and movie, app and game downloading. Price: US$49.99
Xbox 360 Special Edition Kinect Family BundleThe Xbox 360 Special Edition Kinect Family bundle features everything a family needs to get started playing together including a special edition white Xbox 360 4GB console, white Kinect sensor, white Xbox 360 wireless controller, Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures, and a three-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. Price: US$299.99.
Xbox 360 Limited Edition 'Kinect Star Wars' BundleThe Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Kinect Star Wars" bundle features a custom Star Wars design, modeled after R2-D2 and C3PO, including an R2-D2 blue-and-white themed console and white Kinect sensor, a custom Xbox 360 wireless controller inspired by C3PO, unique sounds from the Star Wars universe and an Xbox 360 wired headset. The bundle also includes copies of Kinect Adventures and Kinect Star Wars, the only Star Wars game that puts you directly in the game, no controller required. Price: US$399.
'Kinect Rush: A Disney•Pixar Adventure'"Kinect Rush: A Disney•Pixar Adventure" places anyone in the worlds of five beloved Disney•Pixar films from the comfort of the living room. Team up with Pixar characters to overcome puzzling obstacles and find hidden secrets. Price: US$49.99.
Xbox LIVE Gold Membership gives real-time updates from ESPN and MLB.TV and unlimited access to premium entertainment from partners like UFC, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and more, plus social features like Avatar Kinect*. With the best multiplayer gaming network, access to the biggest names in sports and entertainment, and all-new ways to watch, listen to and play with friends from around the world, a 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership is the best value in home entertainment. Price US$59.99. (*Other subscriptions and requirements apply for some Xbox LIVE features. Kinect voice, gesture and search controls available with select Xbox LIVE content, and may vary by feature. Features and content vary by region. See xbox.com/live. Broadband internet, games and media content sold separately.)
Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 offer the essential tools to do great work in the classroom and at home. Access, edit and share Office documents from virtually anywhere with free Office Web Apps. Price: US$119.99.
The customizable OneNote travel notebook has everything you need to plan your getaway. It’s available on your PC or phone and useful for the research and planning that happens before the trip, and is absolutely invaluable once you've left home. With OneNote, you can recall any particular detail at any given moment.
Want to head out of town? Get the best travel deals with Bing Travel Price Predictor. When searching for a flight, a simple green arrow tells users to "Buy Now," a red arrow means "Wait." It includes a confidence level and expected price increase or decrease over the next seven days.
The Sony Bloggie Live HD Camera makes it easier than ever to stay in touch and share memories of your summer travels. This pocket HD camcorder is WiFi enabled and comes with Qik™ Video from Skype to seamlessly create, share and store videos and memories with family and friends online through blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Price: US$249.
Stay connected while you’re traveling with Skype. Use Skype to make free video and voice calls to other Skype users, as well as make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. You can also pay for WiFi by the minute with Skype credit. Skype WiFi is available on PC, Mac and iPhone.
Surprise Dad this year with the Arc Touch Mouse — the first mouse designed to flatten for portability and pop up for comfort. Its durable frame won't get worn out by repeated use, and he can toss it in his briefcase or stick it in his pocket when he's on the move. Price: US$59.95.
Explorer Touch Mouse Limited EditionThe sleek and chic Explorer Touch Mouse Limited Edition is the perfect gift for your multitasking grad. It's wireless, so he or she has room to move without worrying about tangled wires, and speeds up everyday tasks with a Touch Strip optimized for quick vertical and horizontal scrolling all with the flick of a finger. Price: US$49.95.
Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Limited Edition Artist SeriesHelp the new grad show off his or her personal style this year. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Limited Edition Artist Series combines precision, portability and style with four new and original designs by this season's hottest artists. With so many designs to choose from, treat grads to a different mouse for every day of the week — and with up to eight months of battery life, users will never have to worry about powering up their favorite accessory. Price: US$29.99.
Skype Certified LifeCam StudioAway from home this summer? Plug in your Skype Certified LifeCam Studio and connect with your loved ones back home. The LifeCam Studio sets a new standard in the LifeCam family featuring all the latest and greatest features to give you the best interactive experience. When you can’t be there to share your adventures in person, LifeCam studio delivers the next best thing. Price: US$99.95