For this Wine & Wellness Wednesday, having just planned a single vacation day for later in June, I’m thinking about the health benefits of taking vacations.
Take a vacation. Yes, I know, you don’t have time. Or you don’t have the money for three weeks in Tahiti. Or whatever the reasoning may be.
Take a vacation anyway. Even if you only take a day off and you only go a few hours away, or if you simply stay home but don’t do much other than relax, take a vacation.
It seems an obvious thing to talk about at this time of year as schools are letting out for the summer and many people plan big family trips. (I’m also fairly certain that some people will say, “A family vacation is not healthy! It’s stressful and we eat too much! That’s a different conversation entirely.) So why is it a health topic?
When you’re on vacation, your brain is relaxed (hopefully) and processing things differently. Things you’ve learned at work or have been working on may suddenly come into clearer focus and make more sense. (Make sure you spend the vacation actually vacationing, and not checking your work email!) Going somewhere new or seeing new things while you’re on vacation could give you new ideas to take back to work with you.
Working too much is a fabulous way to get run down. When you’re on vacation and sleeping better, your body can heal and regenerate. You can even take that benefit back with you when you go back to your regular routine!
Planning a vacation, even if it’s just a day, can give you a short break from the run-of-the mill. And that is a benefit that everyone could use!
Cheers! Here’s to your health! :)