How many times have you mumbled under your breath that you need a vacation? Do you make excuses as to why you can't take one?
Constantly working and focusing on responsibilities can leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and frustrated.
These feelings should be a wake-up call for you to realize that you need a break.
Going on vacation gives you a chance to get away from life's stresses, and when you get back you feel refreshed and ready to take on new challenges. Here are some reasons why vacations are good for your overall health.
Vacation Health Benefits
Here are some of the main reasons why taking a health vacation is a must:
1. Reduces Stress
Having to concentrate on daily responsibilities can leave you feeling stressed out and depressed.
Before you can even applaud yourself for completing one task, you're addressing the next obligation. To make matters worse, you don't have time to relax and enjoy life because everything is happening so fast around you.
This is why you need to pause and plan your vacation.
Whether you're going to Myrtle Beach or taking a Panama Canal cruise, going on vacation allows you to leave your worries behind.
You can focus on yourself and activities that you enjoy doing rather than your obligations. Just by temporarily getting away from people, places and responsibilities that you associate stress with, you can feel like an anxiety-filled weight is being lifted off of your shoulders.
You can take a trip by yourself, but it might be more meaningful to relax with your significant other. You can even bring your kids and make it a whole family get-away.
If you're worried about fights breaking out between family members, always remember that there are plenty of opportunities to find alone time. The relaxing scenery of a beach will likely help your family members unwind.
This stress relief can last for at least five weeks after you've returned home, which means that a vacation is well worth it! If you can't afford to take an entire week, a few days can suffice. Even a short trip is beneficial in reducing stress.
2. Revitalizes Your Brain
By the time you plan your vacation, you're probably mentally wiped out. Doing the same routine tasks over and over again can put your brain on autopilot. You stop thinking about what you're doing; you just do it.
Take an assembly line worker. If a man's job on the line is to hit a metal plate with a hammer as it goes by but he never gets a break from this work, he will eventually get distracted and end up smashing his hand instead of the metal.
To ensure you don't overwork your brain in the same way, you need to take a vacation so you can regroup your thoughts.
Don't be worried that taking a vacation will slow your ability or desire to perform well at either your job or other responsibilities.Interrupting practice for a week or two actually can have the opposite effect.
Going on a vacation increases your productivity level. It is necessary to give your brain an occasional break from life's monotony, as it is an essential part of the recharging process. Because you're separated from your stressors, your mind can finally recover.
Tip: Stressing about going on long vacations with your kids? Check out the Pros and Cons of traveling with your kids here.
3. Improves Physical Health
Taking regular vacations decreases the risks of physical ailments. This is likely because, as mentioned early, vacations combat stress, and stress can lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure, headaches, or stomach ailments.
If you don't take time to recover from months of work and home obligations by taking a vacation, you are putting yourself at risk for severe illnesses.
The way you spend your vacation time is important as well. You won't feel any better if you're taking work phone calls or emails.
Leave work at work! You should also drink plenty of water, get fresh air and soak up some sun. The vitamin D you get from the sun's rays helps to fight heart disease, which is an added vacation bonus.
Final Words
People take vacations for different reasons, such as enjoying family time and exploring the unknown. Whatever the reason behind your next trip, know that while you're having fun, your health is improving simultaneously.
The best part is that these health benefits are long-lasting once you return back to real life.
With a clear mind and relaxed body, you will be able to tackle the world again. So, stop making excuses for why you can't go. Put your health first, and take a healing vacation. You won't regret it!
Andrzej believes life to be a never ending adventure. Originally from Poland, he is a devoted husband and father. Dedicated and enthusiastic to chase all his dreams. Storytelling to entice other families to travel.
