Vacation Blues
New More and more individuals are finding it difficult to manage the complexities of their lives. The pace of work has become faster and the amount of work generated in a day is extraordinary. We become fatigued and we operate at less than optimal levels. We often bring work home with us whether mentally or in fact. Studies show that fatigue and stress directly affect our physical resistance and mental capacities. Our energy is not infinite and like any other organism, it needs rest and renewal to remain healthy. Vacations and holidays are essential in recharging our wellness bank account. Yet the thought of being a way for a week or two causes both joyful anticipation and stress.
Holidays and Happiness
Researchers from the Netherlands set out to measure the effect that vacations have on overall happiness and how long it lasts. They studied happiness levels among 1,530 Dutch adults, 974 of who took a vacation during the 32-week study period.
The study, published in the The Journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life, showed that the largest boost in happiness comes from the simple act of planning a vacation. In the study, the effect of vacation anticipation boosted happiness for eight weeks for those who were planning a vacation compared to non-vacationers. For most people, happiness quickly dropped back to the same levels upon their return as if they had never had a vacation. The only vacationers who experienced an increase in happiness after the trip were those who reported feeling “very relaxed” on their vacation. Among them, the vacation happiness effect lasted for two weeks after the trip before returning to pre-vacation levels. The study also indicated that it might be beneficial to take several small trips a year instead of one vacation since happiness is increased in the planning and anticipation stages.
Five reasons to take a vacation
1- Reduced Stress
Several studies have shown links between stress and significant health conditions, including heart disease and a weaker immune system. Constant stress leads to burnout. The adrenal system becomes overloaded behaving as if we were under constant attack. Mentally, stress impedes oxygen to the neo-cortex as we tend to hold our breath, which results in lack of clear decision making capabilities and a tendency to emotional outbreaks. Reducing our stress allows us to gain a different perspective and often find solutions that had previously eluded us. Think of all those marvelous ideas you have in the shower or while driving when your brain is active but relaxed. Similarly, holidays can engage the mind but in a positive and healthy way.
4- Service Opportunity
Mission or volunteer vacations have also been on the rise. Individuals who choose service while on vacation reap the additional rewards and satisfaction of making a difference for a community while learning about a new culture. These vacations can range from teaching English, to monitoring dolphin activity to building houses to participating in ocean research. A large percentage of baby boomers are committing to this kind of vacation, wanting to use their skills in service of others as a way to give back to the global community.
"Led by a generation of baby boomers with the time, the money and the drive to give back, an increasing number of world travelers are making trips such as these (volunteer vacations) the cornerstone of their early retirements or their time away from the office." ~ Thomas Farley, Town & Country Magazine
5- Reflective Time
For many, particularly introverts, vacations are a time to pause and be still – and alone. Overwhelmed by society’s demands, many individuals choose to take shorter more frequent holidays to reconnect to their sense of meaning and purpose. A cabin in the woods, a small house on a lake or a tent at the beach is enough to let nature work her healing on our over-worked and over-whelmed lives. Simple activities such as reading, walking, hiking, cooking and gardening ground us so we can continue to pay attention to grace in our lives. Taking shorter but more frequent vacations, during holiday season or even when it is not holiday season, renews the soul as well as the body and mind.
With the holidays upon us, consider what you will do to renew yourself. There are so many options! The world is full of wonder, adventure and beauty. Make time to enjoy it and your life.
By Claudia Schalkx
Claudia is a multilingual consultant fluent in Spanish, English, Italian, and Dutch with over 25 years international experience in communications, public relations & marketing. She was born in Venezuela from Dutch parents, has lived and worked in Venezuela, Colombia, Curacao, St. Maarten, USA, Italy and The Netherlands where she resides. She is Colors Chief Editor. Her duties include content selection, revision & editing, finding and attracting collaborators, and identifying new business opportunities for Liberty Publications. More info
Images: bridge2MORE (adapted from pictures by kiwinz/Flickr and Daniel Oines/Flickr- CC BY 2.0)
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