Those of us who live in other parts of the world are often guilty of romanticizing Jamaica and places like it. So we want to be very intentional in this post to not do that. The truth is that Jamaica is a place with excessive crime and corruption, and a place whose economy has much room for improvement. It is also a place where people have to work hard, hustle, deal with demanding bosses, and try to balance home and work demands, just like everywhere else.

BUT that doesn’t change the truth that Jamaica has a unique energy that can be a real balm for an overworked soul. In comparison to many parts of North America, at least, Jamaica is a warm (both literally and metaphorically), sincere and communal culture. Where we live and work, it’s quite common to enter a full elevator or be on a full bus and speak to no-one, to not even make eye contact with anyone. But in Jamaica, that’s just not going to happen. People talk to strangers all the time, they tend to know their neighbours, elders are looked out for, and the social isolation problems that are plaguing the world right now just seem to be lessened. The weather contributes but so does the culture of Jamaica as a whole.

Jamaica also forces you to slow down. You can’t rush your way through restaurants, being served in stores, through traffic, or in any given line. And that can feel annoying at first, but maybe it’s actually a good thing! Really, what’s the hurry? Why not take your time in the moment you’re in, instead of constantly rushing on to the next thing?

And then of course, there is the undeniable effect of the weather. There are no days of 9 am sunrises and 4 pm sunsets, or no days on end without a glimpse of sunshine. Exposure to sunlight is well-known to be a mood booster, so that alone can make a trip to Jamaica feel like a doctor’s prescription.

So we’re not saying that a Jamaica trip will solve all your problems. But in times of stress, exhaustion and fatigue, we often find that the island revitalizes, rejuvenates and re-energizes us. Give it a try!