Chasing Sunshine, Finding Serenity: A Journey to Emotional Wellness
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, the idea of a vacation often acts as a beacon of tranquility, promising a temporary escape from the demands of routine. However, the significance of vacations extends far beyond just a break from work or a change of scenery. Exploring the realm of wellbeing, the connection between enjoying vacations and nurturing emotional health becomes increasingly apparent.
Here some important American tourist statistics: In 2019, American tourists spent around $144 billion on international travel; in 2019, the United States had approximately 93 million outbound tourist; the average length of an international trip taken by Americans was 17 days; 76% of American tourist preferred to use a mobile phone to plan their trips in 2019; in 2019, about 42.5% of Americans traveled abroad to Europe for their vacation [1] .”
How does a vacation improve your wellbeing? Harvard Business Review [2] affirms, “the cognitive impact when you are overwhelmed with work can include cognitive fatigue, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and impaired problem-solving ability, among several other effects. Taking a vacation provides greater opportunity for rest and better sleep (both quantity and quality), which can help unclutter your mind to create more mental space.”
Forbes [3] considers “going on holiday makes you feel more present and stimulated. When we travel, we are usually breaking our normal routine. That means we can’t operate on autopilot. That decreased familiarity is an opportunity for most people to be more fully present, to really wake up.”
How to enjoy your vacation? Here some easy steps [4] :
- Don’t be so hard on yourself to begin with.
- Start the relaxation process before you leave.
- Make sure all your vacation goals are achievable.
- Use vacation time to kickstart healthy new routines.
- Keep up your new habits for at least 10 days after you return.
In conclusion, this article underscores the intrinsic connection between vacations and emotional wellbeing. Throughout our exploration, we have looked into how taking time to rest and disconnect not only offers a well-deserved physical break but also significantly contributes to mental and emotional health. From stress reduction to an overall improvement in life satisfaction, vacations emerge as a crucial component in fostering emotional wellbeing.
[1]https://gitnux.org/american-tourist-statistics/
[2]https://hbr.org/2023/07/how-taking-a-vacation-improves-your-well-being
[3]https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2021/05/23/why-taking-vacation-time-could-save-your-life/?sh=2bcac82824de
[4]https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/how-to-enjoy-vacation