11 Ways Holidays Have Been Proven To Enhance Your Mental Health
Here are all the ways holidays can improve your mental health and give you a fresh perspective on life.
Up until now many of us probably just thought about sunny escapes as some hedonistic approach to self-care. But, did you know that holidays can improve your mental health in so many ways?
Neuroscientists have discovered that holidays can help calm rising stress levels which can lead to depression and feelings of anxiety.
That might be a good enough reason on its own. But why don’t we take a deeper dive and discover even more benefits to taking a break?
11 Ways a Holiday Can Boost Your Wellbeing
There is a laundry list of physical, mental, and emotional benefits attached to going on holiday and we’ll prove it to you.
- Vitamin D
- Getting your creative juices flowing
- Making memories
- Spending quality time with family and friends
- Getting more Z’s
- Fitness centres
- Spa breaks
- Stress reliever
- Working your way through a good book or podcast
- Help the economy
- Trip planning
1. A Dose Of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for ensuring you stay in top physical and mental health. A good dose of vitamin D can prevent muscular and skeletal soreness.
Generally, in the UK, our largest source of vitamin D comes from the sun – remember that mythical burning yellow dot in the sky that pops out to say hello every once in a while.
Heading to sunnier climbs can give you a much-needed shot of vitamin D. So if you’re feeling a little low or tired, then getting out on a sunny city adventure or beachfront escape could be your cure. Even just planning a trip can improve your mental well-being – see point 11.
At this point, it’s also important to say that you should make sure to enjoy the sun responsibly. Always use suncream and don’t stay out in the heat for prolonged periods.
2. Going On Holiday Can Boost Creativity
Hear us out on this… with modern technology playing such a huge part in our lives, it can be difficult to get away from work. Especially if you’ve recently found yourself needing to work from home even more.
But having a break from the routine can have a positive effect on your creativity & productivity.
Which could mean you get noticed more by the boss. Which could, in turn, means you impress more, which will lead to a promotion. So technically going on holiday could result in you earning more money. #Logic
3. Making Memories
Holidays stick in your mind. We all have that amazing holiday you float back to in daydreams, you’re thinking about it now aren’t you! Now imagine having more of those memories… ahh bliss. Everybody loves some escapism, especially in these tough times.
4. Spending Quality Time With Friends & Family
There’s nothing better than meeting up for an overdue catch-up with your bestie. Even better if you arrange for that catch-up to happen on a stunning beach somewhere in the world.
Holidays are an incredible option for pulling you closer together with your loved ones. All-inclusive adults-only escapes are perfect for spending some time with your partner or best friend.
On the other hand, a stunning family escape is just what the doctor ordered for strengthening that familial bond. Alongside the obvious benefits of building memories and having more time to play together, a family break can also have a lasting impact on your physical and mental health.
The natural increase in physical activity which comes with taking the kids away can actually improve your mood, boost confidence, and even enhance your immune system by helping your body produce more virus-fighting white blood cells.
5. Getting more Z’s
Getting enough sleep is imperative to living your best life. Sleep levels can affect everything from your mood right through to your memory and even your ability to lose weight.
So, whether you’re slipping into slumberland after a couple of cocktails on a paradisical beach. Or whiling away a few hours of self-isolation, sleep is critical for encouraging positive mental health.
6. Fitness Centres
On the theme of losing weight, there are plenty of resorts which feature fitness centres as part of their all-inclusive offering.
So, next time you feel like getting a break on the cards, why not think about booking a resort with a gym? Then, rather than starting every day with a full English, treat your body to an energising workout instead.
Or, think about booking a sunny stay in Lanzarote. Not only is it a cheaper destination option, but Lanzarote is also awesome for sports lovers. With everything from diving to hiking on offer around this awesome Canary Island you can have more fun with your holiday workout.
Keeping your body healthy is a great way to keep your mind healthy. In the meantime, if you’re feeling up to it, a few jumping Jacks in the living room will suffice.
7. Spa Breaks
If there’s one place on earth we all associate with chilled, indulgent vibes it’s a spa, right?
Retreating to the spa while you’re away can leave you feeling like a brand new person. The positive effects a few spa treatments can have on the body and mind is astronomical. Check out our 5 benefits to taking a spa and wellbeing break blog now to find more about these benefits and some resorts you might want to think about. Let’s face it who wouldn’t want a spa break after the start we’ve had to 2020.
8. Stress Reliever
As we covered earlier, modern life is full of stressful situations. But going on holiday is full of good times and good vibes. So why not dial down the stress and start looking at getting some breaks on the books?
9. Working Through Your List Of Must Reads Or Must Listen Podcasts
Now, you don’t even need to be on a sunlounger for this one, admittedly it does help. But, getting lost between the pages of a great read has amazing health benefits.
Reading gives your memory a workout and broadens your mind. For example, reading the top LGBTQ+ novels could expand your mind to a growing literary genre.
Another, more modern, way to expand your mind from your sunbed is a podcast. Find a topic you love and download the lot! Whether you’re into fishing or rebuilding WWII tanks, I bet there’s a podcast out there for it.
10. Help the economy
Tourism forms the biggest part of some global economies. In fact, it makes up 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Mexico and 5.7% of employment. It also contributes 28% of GDP in the Maldives, and a whopping 65% in St Lucia.
So, if you think about it, you taking some time out on a stunning beach in the Caribbean is actually helping stimulate some of the smallest economies in the world. You’re such a good person.
11. Trip Planning
Probably the most important point in this whole piece. It’s not just lying on the beach that helps improve your health. Studies have shown that even the act of planning your trip can have a positive effect on your mental health up to eight weeks in advance of your break! So start planning now! Forget about self-isolation, social distancing and other terrible terms. escapism’s where its at!
Where Do You Fancy?
We could go on forever about how good for your mind, body and soul holidays are. But we thought these 11 were the best points we could muster.
So, why not make a decision for you this year and get a stress-busting break on the calendar? The first step is getting the annual leave booked. We can help you there too.
Just click the button below and we’ll tell you how you can more than double your days off in 2023.
