People are forfeiting their vacation
days, despite the stress, anxiety and other negative effects of not
taking time off from work. Study show employees took about 16
vacation days in 2013, down from about 20 in 2000. Apart from
depriving yourself the chance to enhance your productivity and work
performance, avoiding taking a break can lead to stress overload and
other potentially damaging effects on your health, experts say.
After all, vacations offers the chance
to relax and restore overall well-being. But simply taking a hiatus
from your demanding workday schedule isn't enough. Traveling
somewhere new can enable you to immerse yourself in new surroundings,
boost your brain power and fully recharge. With this in mind, here
are five reasons why traveling is smart for the mind, body and soul
and expert tips for making the most out of your vacation days to
rejuvenate and ensure a stress-free getaway.
You'll Recharge Emotionally and
Increase EmpathyVacationing – especially near the water –
can help us reset our emotions and actually increase compassion.
Often associated with feelings of awe and wonder, water can boost our
empathy and compassion, our connection to ourselves and those we are
with, and for many — from musicians like Pharrell Williams to
neurologists like Oliver Sacks – it's a steady source of creativity
and insight.
You'll Get Back in Shape
While some may not describe vacations as an opportunity to escalate their fitness routines, travelers may be more active than sitting in an office chair all day. Tourists may walk as much as ten miles a day while sightseeing in Europe or visiting Disney World. Travelers may also be more inclined to try new activities while in a new place, like paddleboarding or hiking. There are also fitness-centric resorts that encourage guests to get fit and try new workouts to boost physical and mental health away from home.
While some may not describe vacations as an opportunity to escalate their fitness routines, travelers may be more active than sitting in an office chair all day. Tourists may walk as much as ten miles a day while sightseeing in Europe or visiting Disney World. Travelers may also be more inclined to try new activities while in a new place, like paddleboarding or hiking. There are also fitness-centric resorts that encourage guests to get fit and try new workouts to boost physical and mental health away from home.
You'll Engage in New Surroundings
and Eliminate StressTraveling has many advantages, with
stress relief topping the list. There are lots of psychological
benefits from change of venue from home and work to 'third places'
devoted to just experiencing the environment. With a short list of
activities each day, freed up from the complexities of ongoing
projects and relationships, the mind can reset, as does the body,
with stress relief the main outcome. Humans thrive on novelty, and
travel offers the complete package with new faces, sounds and sights.
You'll Wind Down and Rest UpLittle
sleep mixed with high stress can lead to irritability
and negative consequences on your cognitive performance and
efficiency. Vacation is a great opportunity to catch up on sleep. To
feel more energized, it is recommended to get at least seven
hours of sleep per night for adults. Reserve that time. Make it
an important thing you need.
You'll Boost Your Mood
Many studies suggest that travel can improve our emotional state. A 2014 survey conducted by Diamond Resorts International found over three-quarters of respondents reported feeling happier when they planned a trip at least once a year. It's hard to sit on a beautiful beach somewhere and ruminate about paperwork or deadlines. That is why people reported feeling happier when they regularly vacationed. Periodic and regular vacations while taking time for yourself and your family lowers your stress level and decreases the release of all those stress hormones that contribute to degrading our mental and physical health. Plus, studies show reminiscing about pleasant vacation memories may trigger happiness long after your trip.
Many studies suggest that travel can improve our emotional state. A 2014 survey conducted by Diamond Resorts International found over three-quarters of respondents reported feeling happier when they planned a trip at least once a year. It's hard to sit on a beautiful beach somewhere and ruminate about paperwork or deadlines. That is why people reported feeling happier when they regularly vacationed. Periodic and regular vacations while taking time for yourself and your family lowers your stress level and decreases the release of all those stress hormones that contribute to degrading our mental and physical health. Plus, studies show reminiscing about pleasant vacation memories may trigger happiness long after your trip.