It’s not as if anyone needs an excuse to go on holidays, but
when you think about the preparation and potential costs associated with taking
a trip, it not always something we can fit in or afford. Obviously getting away
from the hustle bustle of day-to-day life and relaxing is something we all
enjoy, however research has shown that there are actually many other benefits
that come with holidaying that we may overlook.
Health Benefits
Obviously, the extent to which your holiday brings you good
health depends upon the type of holiday you’re having. A vacation where you are
partying every night and not getting enough sleep might have some negative
effects on your physical health. However, a relaxing getaway that involves
plenty of good food, ample sleep, a bit of sun and exercise (people often walk
and cycle more than usual when they’re away) can be amazing for you both
mentally and physically.
Interestingly, research shows that listening to waves
breaking has a profound effect on our brains, in the same way that meditation
does. Sea water calms us and the salt draws out the body’s impurities, so there
are clear health benefits simply from taking a trip to the beach, let alone
planning an entire holiday.
Happiness
We often underestimate the effect that being overly stressed
can have on a person’s overall wellbeing. Taking time out to relax and enjoy
yourself is crucial for a balanced lifestyle. Laughter in particular, which you
should be doing plenty of if you’re away on holiday, is very important aspect
of happiness. It releases endorphins that have a significant effect on our mood
and general outlook, but some studies also suggest that laughing regularly can
help reduce the risk of disease.
Memories
A holiday is ultimately a brief experience that quickly passes
us by. We all know that feeling of coming back from an amazing trip and having
to get back to reality and they seem to over before we know it! A holiday isn’t
an investment item that we can hang onto and sell, but there’s something of
much more valuable that it leaves us with - the memories of such a fantastic
time.
We often think back to holidays that we’ve had; associating
certain smells, music and people with the experience and taking comfort in
these memories months and even years later. Psychologists advance the idea that
recalling these happy times has a positive effect on our wellbeing.
Affordable
Holidaying can actually be relatively cheap if you plan well
ahead of time and think carefully about your destination. Planning with a
budget in mind is important, particularly in terms of your spending money, but
accommodation is fairly adaptable according to what it is you’re after.
Further, nowadays there are websites devoted to comparing accommodation costs
so finding the best deal has never been easier!
Image Source: starscientific, 4alifewelllived, kotodamaglassware, bpmforreal
Image Source: starscientific, 4alifewelllived, kotodamaglassware, bpmforreal
