How many times have we mumbled under our breath that we need a vacation?
Do we make excuses as to why we can’t take one? Constantly working and focusing on responsibilities can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated.
These feelings should be a wake-up call for us to realize that we need a break. Going on vacation gives us a chance to get away from life’s stresses, and when we get back, we feel refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.
Here are three reasons why vacations are good for our overall health:
1. They Reduce Stress.
Having to concentrate on daily responsibilities can leave us feeling stressed out and depressed. Before we can even applaud ourselves for completing one task, we’re addressing the next obligation. To make matters worse, we don’t have time to relax and enjoy life because everything is happening so fast around us. This is why we need to pause and plan our vacation.
Whether we’re going to Myrtle Beach or taking a Panama Canal cruise, going on vacation allows us to leave our worries behind. We can focus on ourselves and activities that we enjoy doing rather than our obligations. Just by temporarily getting away from people, places, and responsibilities that we associate stress with, we can feel like an anxiety-filled weight is being lifted off of our shoulders.
This stress relief can last for at least five weeks after we’ve returned home, which means that a vacation is worth it! If we can’t afford to take an entire week, a few days can suffice. Even a short trip is beneficial in reducing stress.
2. They Revitalize our Brains.
By the time we plan our vacation, we’re probably mentally wiped out. Doing the same routine tasks over and over again can put our brain on autopilot. We stop thinking about what we’re doing—we 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 we don’t overwork our brain in the same way, we need to take a vacation so we can regroup our thoughts.
Don’t be worried that taking a vacation will slow our ability or desire to perform well at either our job or other responsibilities. Interrupting practice for a week or two actually can have the opposite effect. Going on a vacation increases our productivity level. It is necessary to give our brains an occasional break from life’s monotony, as it is an essential part of the recharging process. Because we’re separated from our stressors, our mind can finally recover.
3. They Improve Physical Health.
Taking regular vacations might decrease 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 we don’t take time to recover from months of work and home obligations by taking a vacation, we could be putting ourselves at risk for severe illnesses.
The way we spend our vacation time is important as well. We won’t feel any better if we’re taking work phone calls or emails. Leave work at work. We should also drink plenty of water, get fresh air, and soak up some sun. The vitamin D we get from the sun’s rays helps to fight heart disease, which is an added vacation bonus.
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 we return back to real life. With a clear mind and relaxed body, we 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!
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