8 Health Benefits of Going on Vacation

There are very few things that are more enjoyable than booking your next vacation. Sadly, 53% of Americans are not using all their vacation time every year. There are so many vacations that you can go on and things you can experience such as surfing in Hawaii, walking through castles in Scotland, taking photos next to the pyramids in Egypt, etc. There are also many health benefits of taking a vacation and we will cover a couple of them.

1. Better Mental Health 

When you spend almost every day working and doing the same things, the grind can become quite draining. Now, no matter what your circumstances may be, going on vacation may be exactly what you need to improve your depression, lower anxiety, and improve your mental health. When you enjoy a much-needed break in a new environment, this can completely change your outlook. There are even studies that show that going on vacation would help you to feel much happier and rested. There are plenty of great places around Glasgow for a lovely break.

2. Wards Off Heart Disease 

Even if you don't want to go on vacation for your enjoyment, you should consider doing it to improve your health and your heart health in particular. Some studies indicate that vacationing can greatly lower stress levels due to work. This in turn helps to reduce your risk of heart attacks, lowers your risk of developing heart disease, etc.

3. Improves Happiness 

Even if you don't go on vacation, you can enjoy the benefits by simply planning a vacation or even thinking about one. This is backed up by research which clearly shows that you will get a huge happiness boost by simply planning or thinking about vacationing. You can feel this positive impact as much as 8 weeks before you go on vacation. Also, you will enjoy the mood boost during the vacation as well as after it. 

4. Higher Creativity & Productivity 

One great way to improve how you perform at work is to go on a luxurious vacation. This is backed up by studies that show that when you are exposed to new places, new cultures, and even new languages, it helps to improve your mind as well as your overall productivity and creativity over time.

5. Stress Reduction 

It may appear obvious, but it has also been proven. Vacations have been shown in numerous studies to reduce stress, which is known to have a negative impact on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other health measures. Even knowing that a vacation is on the horizon can help to keep stress at bay. The same Syracuse University researchers who studied metabolic syndrome examined what happened to people's heart rates when they were stressed in the weeks preceding a vacation. The closer they got to take off, the less work pressure they felt.

6. Brain Booster

Relaxation has long been known to boost creativity. "Neuroscience is so clear, thanks to PET scans and MRIs," Schulte says, "that the 'aha' moment comes when you're in a relaxed state of mind." That's why your best ideas come to you in the shower, on a walk, or while on vacation. Then there's the impact of immersing yourself in a different culture: One 2014 fashion-focused study compared the backgrounds of 270 top designers with their runway shows over 21 seasons. Designers who had worked outside of their home countries—the world's Karl Lagerfelds and Alber Elbazes—created more innovative work. Travel abroad if you want to stimulate new ideas.

7. Improves Your Mindfulness  

It wasn't your imagination if you've ever felt more present, stimulated, and tuned into the moment while away from home. "We usually break our normal routine when we travel," says Davidson, a pioneer in the science of mindfulness and meditation. That means we won't be able to operate on autopilot. "That decreased familiarity presents an opportunity for most people to be more fully present, to truly awaken," he says. While mindfulness can be a reward in and of itself, it has also been shown to reduce stress and increase compassion, resilience, and happiness. Another advantage of international travel, according to Davidson, is that it "can help people appreciate the common humanity and basic goodness that is present in all human beings." "Not just those who resemble us."

8. Vacation Time Promotes Better Sleep 

Restless nights are a common complaint, and they are often caused by having too much on our minds. According to the researchers, taking time off from work can help break the habits that disrupt sleep, such as working late into the night or checking your cell phone before bed. Another reason your sleep improves while on vacation and lasts after your return is that a new bed allows you to dissociate from your bad sleeping habits at home. A study conducted by New Zealand Air asked vacationers to wear a wrist device that monitored their sleep quality from three days before their trip until three days after they returned. They also kept a sleep diary and had their reaction times measured before, during, and after their trip. Researchers discovered that after two to three days of vacation, participants slept an hour more and had an 80 percent improvement in their reaction times. When they returned home, they had slept for nearly an hour long, and their reaction time was 30% to 40% faster than before the trip.

Last Word

Don't slack off during your vacation. Time off has been linked to a slew of advantages, including improved sleep and mental health. So, what are you holding out for? Set the guilt aside and start planning your next vacation. Your body and mind will appreciate it.