How Often Is It Healthy to Take a Vacation?

Vacations are one of those things you cherish (or should cherish). After facing intense burnout and stress from work, you understandably want to take a break and relax. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the importance of taking a break.

Taking two or more 45-day vacations is a healthy rule of thumb for how many vacations you should take each year. By doing this, you get adequate rest, allowing you to come back to work feeling refreshed and able to perform better.

This article will explore this answer in more detail and include useful tips on the best times to take a vacation. Let’s get started!

What Is the Best Time to Take a Vacation?

The best time to take vacations is during shoulder seasons. These are seasons where the weather is most manageable for tourists. Also, the airfare and lodging fees are neither too high nor too low during this period.

Shoulder seasons are right between the peak and off-peak seasons. It’s the best time to relax since you get moderately priced fares and you beat the crowd of people that would otherwise be there during peak seasons.

There are other factors you need to consider before choosing when to take a vacation. Here are two of the most important ones.

Don’t Go During Off-Seasons

If you’ve been going on vacation abroad, you might have noticed a not-so-small issue: Seasons vary by location in the world, so off-seasons also vary. Many places have off-seasons where the weather is terrible. During these periods, the weather can get so bad that you won’t be able to enjoy your stay.

The lodging and airfare prices are the cheapest during these periods, but don’t be fooled: The low prices are due to lower traffic and reduced tourist hours.

Going during these periods can be a huge waste of time and money if you don’t care for the weather. Different locations have particular off-seasons, so check the off-season of your desired destination.

Consider Work Engagement or School Schedules Before Going

How Often Is It Healthy to Take a Vacation?

Do you have any pending work to do? Can it be delayed until you get back? If not, try to delegate this task to other coworkers. You wouldn’t want a situation where you’re worrying about all the work you have to do while on your vacation, would you?

Also, if you’re a student, look at your school schedule before planning when to go for your trip. You’ll miss crucial exams if you leave in the middle of a school year.

Whether you’re a working adult, student, or both, wrap up your engagements first. Try to set a timeline to complete your work and take your vacation after that timeline.

How Do Vacations Improve Your Physical and Mental Health?

Vacations improve your health by relieving stress. Stress can build up with time, work, and daily activities, causing problems like hypertension. In addition, a good holiday can help optimize serotonin and dopamine levels, making you feel much better.

They Reduce the Chance of Contracting Heart Diseases

Heart diseases are widespread, and a good part of the population is at risk of contracting this condition. Right now, about 48% of U.S adults suffer from cardiovascular disease. So if you’re an adult living in the U.S., you have a nearly 50-50 chance of getting a heart-related ailment.

Granted, living a sedentary lifestyle has its benefits in terms of comfort. However, extended periods without physical activity can increase the possibility of heart disease.

Fortunately, taking regular vacations allows your body to get more active. So take advantage of your holiday to get moving! Keep your body active, and exercise your mind too.

You don’t have to be particularly sports-minded to stay active. Even a quick walk in nature can make a big difference in your physical and mental health. If you can find a place that allows you to get around safely on foot, that would be best.

They Keep Your Mental Health Stable

Neuroscientists have done multiple studies on the effects of stress on the brain. In many of these studies, it was discovered that being constantly exposed to stress alters your brain chemistry and increases your chances of getting mood and anxiety disorders.

Vacations help to correct this problem. When you relax and get away from the demands of your life for a while, it’s much easier to take a load off and finally get the rest you need.

Furthermore, taking regular vacations improves your general well-being. You don’t have work hanging over your head, so your mind and body have more time to heal. One study suggests that even a short vacation has a positive effect on you.

Vacations Keep You Motivated

Depression is one of the most deadly and widespread mental health disorders. It affects about 280 million people worldwide and often goes undiagnosed. This disorder often messes with your productivity, focus at work, and other areas of your life. With time, your overall performance suffers, and your motivation to do things drops even more.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for depression, there are a few activities that can help. One of the best ways to get back on track and improve is by taking a much-needed vacation.

Taking a vacation can give you a much-needed change of scenery. This short period of relaxation can give you the clarity of mind you need to take charge of your life once you return.

Also, vacations can improve your cognitive abilities and functioning, making it easier to handle complex tasks. It can also improve your memory retention and ability to perform your most important To-Dos.

Of course, if you do have depression (diagnosed or otherwise), it’s best to seek professional help. But I will say that vacations will help mitigate your condition, even for just a little while.

Final Thoughts

Vacations are extremely important activities everyone should have at least twice a year for at least 45 days. Taking these vacations is crucial to preserving your physical and mental health. That said, make sure you time your vacations well to avoid complications. Book trips when work and life permit. Also, ensure you avoid vacationing during off-seasons to keep stress at bay.

Sources

Allina Health: Importance of taking a vacation