How taking Vacation Improves Your Well-Being?

I am an HR by Profession and a Traveler by Heart. We all work in a digital world today no matter what our work is. However our mind requires a short break which can be beneficial for us as an individual for been more productive at work.

Planning vacation for a short time not only relaxes your mind and body but also freshens you up when you are back at work. It also helps in your Mental well being and Mindfulness. Research shows that taking time off benefits employees in three ways: 1) Mentally. Taking a vacation provides greater opportunity for rest and better sleep (both quantity and quality), which can help unclutter your mind to boost creativity. 2) Body. Relaxing on vacation can reduce the levels of your stress hormones and allow your immune system to recover, making you less prone to get sick. 3) Soul. While it sounds hokey, answers to life’s big questions — like “What do I really want?” or “What’s most important to me?” — are more likely to come to us when there is some space and stillness

Vacation time increases mindfulness

Going on holiday makes you feel more present and stimulated. “When we travel we are usually breaking our normal routine,”?says Richard Davidson, professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds. 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,” he says.?According to another research study in The Journal of Positive Psychology, meditation and vacations appear to have overlapping effects. The report found that both meditation exercises and vacationing were associated with higher levels of well-being and?increased mindfulness.

Vacation time reduces stress

Stress raises levels of certain hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this can be helpful, triggering the “fight or flight” response that helps you deal with immediate threats. But over time, chronic stress can increase your risk for health issues, including heart disease.?A study released by the American Psychological Association?concluded that time off helps to reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with anxiety.

Vacation time boosts brainpower

Taking time off improves the capacity to learn. When your brain is completely relaxed, it consolidates knowledge and brainpower. “Neuroscience is so clear, through PET scans and MRIs, that the ‘aha’ moment comes when you’re in a relaxed state of mind,” says?Brigid Schulte, author of?Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time. That's why you have your best ideas on a walk, in the shower or on vacation

Vacation time improves sleep

Restless nights are a common complaint—often stemming from the fact that we have too much on our minds. Researchers say that time off from work can help interrupt the habits that disrupt sleep, like working late into the night or checking your cell phone before bed. Another reason your sleep improves while on holiday and extends after your return is that a new bed helps you dissociate from your negative sleep patterns back home

Taking a Holiday Makes You Productive

One professional and personal benefit of taking a holiday is the capability to disengage from work. According to experts, the inability to disengage from the job comes with signs of burnout that, of course, affect productivity and well-being.

On the other hand, detaching from a job when you’re not at work, the expert finds, makes you more resilient in the face of pressure and more productive as well as connected at work. Even three or four days of vacation can offer considerable work-stress recovery, while longer trips away offer more respite.

After a holiday, 64% of people say they’re excited and refreshed to get back to their work. It is a win-win for companies and employees alike, particularly provided that unused holidays cost US companies USD224 billion a year.

Time off is linked to a slew of benefits, including better sleep and improved mental health. So, what are you waiting for? Put the guilt aside and plan your next holiday. Your body and mind will thank you.