If you’re like many hard-working Americans, there’s a decent chance that you have some vacation days piled up. They may even be close to expiring. You may not think you need to take them. You may think you need the money. The simple fact is that we all need a break, and travel is one of the best things you can do for your overall mental health.
Travel and mental health
Above all else, travel is a known stress reliever. Our daily lives fill us with stress. Work, school, kids, finances, relationships – they all can negatively affect our mental health when they become too taxing to handle. Stepping away from your everyday life and giving your brain a chance to relax and enjoy something that’s pure entertainment (like travel) can work wonders.
How important is that stress relief? Well, stress can negatively affect almost every aspect of your body. As Psychology Today points out, stress makes you “more likely to become ill, your arteries take a beating, and you’re more likely to have an accident. Your sleep will suffer (and] you won’t digest your food as well.” Inability to destress can also lead to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Beyond the proven stress relief, travel also boosts our creativity and broadens our horizons. It is mentally stimulating, as it forces us to learn new things and exposes us to cultures that we are unfamiliar with. In the end, it’s like pressing a giant reset button for your brain – the importance of which cannot be overstated.
How to make the most of your traveling
Not all traveling is the same and not everyone is as skilled at making the most of their time off. Anyone can reap as much benefit as possible out of their vacation, however, if they create a trip intensity balance.
First, you should work to create a trip itinerary that is a good balance between relaxation and exploration. Travel that is jam-packed with too many activities doesn’t really feel like a vacation at all and can actually add to your stress level. Travel that is too unstructured can simply feel boring. In short, you don’t have to be sightseeing 100% of the time and you don’t have to be lying on the beach 100% of the time. Find a balance that stimulates you and also provides some much-needed relaxation. Think about the current trend of “slow travel,” or “spending more time exploring fewer destinations, thereby creating a more intimate travel experience” according to SmarterTravel.com.
So, where to go?
So you’ve decided to use up those vacation days. Where should you go for the most stress-busting vacation?
The beach is a fairly common choice for this – and with good reason. Researchers say that being around water can reduce stress by giving our brains a rest from overstimulation and even inducing a meditative state. The beaches around Gulf Shores, Alabama and the Florida panhandle offer this type of serenity but with some added excitement provided by nearby beach towns. Other calming travel locations include the mountains of the American West and Northwest, the beautiful hillsides of Iceland, and the ruins, beaches, and mountains of Vietnam.
Before you leave
Before jetting off to your destination, protect your home from potential incidents to ensure a worry-free vacation. Start with the outside of your home; think about any weather-related hazards that could occur. If it’s winter, insulate the pipes, clean your gutters, and inspect the roof to avoid ice buildup. Also, make sure your patio doors are locked to keep out uninvited guests, and move your car and any loose yard items into the garage to protect them from the elements. Inside the home, the doors and windows should be locked and sealed. If you don’t have fire detectors, install one on each floor. In case of a power surge, unplug any electronics that don’t need to be left on while you’re gone. Finally, ask a neighbor to check on the house for you, or download a home security app if you’re still worried about your home’s safety.
In the end, using up your vacation days and traveling won’t just give you some necessary stress relief. It will also make you better at your job when you return and improve your family life as well. Putting off using those vacation days doesn’t make you hardworking and dedicated. It’s a bad decision that negatively affects your overall health.
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