Summertime makes me think about Vacation Deficit Disorder (VDD). It's one of those orphan diseases that undermines your spirit, cramps your freedom and compromises your tennis game — yet little research is being done to find a cure.

Vacation Deficit Disorder — sign me up for the telethon. American businesses simply don't believe in vacation time the way the Europeans do. The French, the Italians, don't even mention the Greeks, may get four to six weeks of work release (vacation) time every year. American workers — if they're lucky enough to be working — typically get half that or less, and here's the most depressing part: Many of you guys and gals don't even bother to take the vacation time you are allotted. What's up with that?

Swine Flu has hit a million in the United States, but millions more are suffering the pains of Vacation Deficit Disorder, the true pandemic of our time. VDD is the insane unwillingness to take a vacation, relax in nature, putt or putter, climb or kayak, bike or hike, or just hang out for a day of no-tech, unplanned pleasure.

Vacation Deficit Disorder. Some suspect it comes from the mold in our houses, others consider it an unintended consequence of the microwave oven. Whatever, it keeps us from slowing down the hectic pace of our lives and really taking care of business — the business of living a happy, healthy, more balanced life.

If you think your household might be infected, listen for these key phrases, evidence the VDD bug has invaded your brain:

"Take a vacation? Are you kidding? I'm working two jobs now just to keep up!"

"I can't afford a vacation. You're talking plane fares, hotels, whatnot . . . I'm not even sure I'll have a job next month."

"I'm afraid to take two or three weeks off because I think my boss will realize he can get along without me . . . "

Why listen for these warning signs? Because VDD is such a sneaky infection. Sadly, there is no known blood test or DNA marker to tell you if you're infected. It's strictly self-diagnosis, which is the beginning of self-awareness, which is the beginning of treatment for this fun-killing disease.

So far, VDD research has brought to light the following, intended to help you plan for the vacation months ahead:

1. Vacations have value, especially active vacations, and I don't mean shooting craps in Vegas. Vacation time — going out to play in nature, leaving technology behind — stimulates your brain and your body in ways that reduce stress and depression, and improve your creativity and emotional health. All work and no play — who me, take a vacation? — makes for a duller and drearier life, and over time leads to symptoms, physical and mental, that keep us from living our best lives.

So ask yourself: Do you believe vacations have value when it comes to your healthy and happiness? What is keeping you from taking all the vacation time you get? Do you think of it as a priority or unnecessary pampering?

2. Finding the time to vacation and have fun is not a selfish act. Playing catch, catching fish, climbing mountains — these are your paths to renewal. Part of that renewal and relaxation involves detaching from the technology. Are you able to take a two-week vacation from your cell phone, your email or your computer? A two-DAY vacation? Technology Addiction — a known co-infection of VDD — is so widespread we think it's a normal part of life. Unplug, detach, and strive to make your vacations ZIT free: Zero Interface with Technology.

3. We vacation, we travel, we seek out new experiences to be part of a reality that is different from the one we know. It's a good thing. Hike your state park. Tour your local art museum. Volunteer at an orphanage around the corner or around the world. Vacations can jumpstart much bigger changes in our lives. It doesn't have to be exotic to produce great results. What is your dream vacation? What's stopping you from taking it?

Need a vacation from all those over-the-top Michael Jackson tributes? Me, too. He was wildly talented, but he led a disturbing and deeply troubled life. May he moonwalk in peace.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! KEEP IT LIGHT

"Those that say you can't take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip." — Author Unknown

Marilynn Preston — fitness expert, personal trainer and speaker on healthy lifestyle issues — is the creator of Energy Express, the longest-running syndicated fitness column in the country. She has a website, http://marilynnpreston.com and welcomes reader questions, which can be sent to [email protected]. To find out more about Preston and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.