Five Ways Vacations Benefit Your Health

With not just physical health but emotional well-being at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days, taking a much-needed vacation could be just what the doctor ordered. While you may have certain budgetary constrictions or other limitations that make taking a trip abroad out of the question, even getting away on a weekend road trip is beneficial. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of what type of getaway you can take, let’s look at the ways that taking time off benefits your health.

They Are Mood-Boosting

Life is filled with all kinds of responsibilities – parenthood, work, social obligations, and so much more. It can feel like a lot to juggle for many people. Throw into the mix an unprecedented global pandemic over the last couple of years, and it’s not surprising that the number of Americans with mental health issues like anxiety and depression are skyrocketing.

Vacations help with that by letting you get away from your day-to-day responsibilities and boost your mood. Holidays are meant to be stress-free experiences where you can relax by a pool or beach and just breathe. So, perhaps it’s time to invest in some designer swimwear and show yourself some self-love by getting out of town.

They Are Heart Healthy

Numerous studies have shown that taking a vacation can positively impact your cardiovascular health. As mentioned above, taking time off reduces your stress, so making sure you get on vacation annually will significantly reduce your stress and cortisol levels, leading to a healthier cardiovascular system. This information isn’t to scare you but to motivate you to use your paid time off for a health-conscious reason on top of just the fun of vacations.

They Get You Moving

Literally and metaphorically, vacations get you moving. Physical health affects your mental health, and what better environment to get your workout on than on a beautiful beach? While it’s essential to relax and enjoy your vacation, that doesn’t mean you need to abandon the regular workout routines that you keep at home. Most resorts and hotels have gyms you can utilize during your stay.

Additionally, there are so many types of excursions to take advantage of while you’re on your trip. You can swim with dolphins, ride horses, hike magnificent trails – the world is truly your oyster. And, the best part is, you’re making lifelong memories by improving your physical health at the same time.

You Can Get Your Beauty Rest

Nothing feels quite as amazing at the end of a long day while vacationing as your crisp, clean hotel sheets. While there may be something to the thread count, a lot of it is actually psychosomatic. When we’re at home, we have worries about all the things that happened in our days that we’re contemplating. We’re also thinking about projects that are due, events in our children’s lives, and so on.

When you’re on vacation, you can truly relax because your home and your office seem like a world away. You also have the opportunity to sleep in because there is no alarm chirping to get you out of bed and on with your day. Sleep is vital for significant restoration of your body and your mind. So, when you’re traveling and getting in those extra hours, not to mention you can achieve a deeper state of sleep, you will only benefit your health that much more.

They Lead to Increased Longevity

We all know how fast the years fly by, and we wish we had more time than we do. Especially as we age, we realize how quickly time passes by. With all the health benefits mentioned above, it’s not surprising that you are extending your longevity when you take vacations. One of the easiest ways to live a long and happy life is making healthy food choices, reducing stress, and getting routine physical exercise. Adding vacations annually helps you accomplish everything on that list and more.

When you look at your list of responsibilities and items on your schedule, it may seem like taking time to get away from it all is impossible. It would be best if you prioritized this time regardless. By carving out times of the year to relax, unwind and get to know new corners of the globe, you are impacting your health tremendously. Happy Trails!