What does going on vacation do to your brain?

The main thing that a good vacation can do for our mental health is precisely to reduce chronic stress levels. When we are idle, our brain is able to reverse – at least temporarily – the negative effects of being under stress.



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The University of Pittsburgh's Mind-Body Center found that taking vacation increases positive emotions and reduces depression. And spending time in nature has been shown to reduce negative rumination and improves overall psychological wellbeing.

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According to the American Psychological Association, extended time off can increase life satisfaction, improve mental wellbeing, reduce heart disease risks and reduce anxiety and depression.

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More open to new things. According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, travel opens you up to new experiences and other things that you wouldn't usually try or even engage in and this can feed back into your normal everyday life back home.

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A positive, well-managed vacation can make you happier and less stressed, and you can return with more energy at work and with more meaning in your life. Positive vacations have a significant effect upon energy and stress. In our study, 94 percent had as much or more energy after coming back after a good trip.

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Take at Least 1 Week Off to Reap the Most Benefits
According to study co-author Ty Ferguson, PhD, a research associate at the University of South Australia, a week or two of vacation time “is long enough for a person to 'settle in' to the change in a new routine in how they spend their time.”

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Traveling promotes happiness and helps you take your mind off stressful situations. This leads to lower cortisol levels, making you feel more calm and content. “It also helps us reflect on our personal goals and interests,” adds Greenberg.

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Benefits of Travel Traveling can improve your mental health by: Helping you feel calm. Taking time from work to see new places releases the stress you've been holding onto. Relieving the tension and stress of your work life lets your mind relax and heal.

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You live at home with less effort than anywhere else, even a comfy hotel room, largely due to your memory. But memories fade. After only a week away, your home will appear slightly less familiar when you return. And the longer you're away, the stranger the feeling you'll get when you open your front door again.

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Studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and mental health benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.

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However, most studies agree that at least two vacations a year can do wonders for your mental and physical health. Two vacations a year might seem like a lot to some and not enough to others, but that's truly the minimum number of vacations we're talking about here.

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13 downsides to travelling for a long time
  • It's hard to get home during an emergency.
  • It won't always go to plan.
  • Travelling for a long time: You miss your family.
  • You'll probably lose friends.
  • People will think you're selfish.
  • It can get lonely while travelling for a long time.
  • You won't love everywhere you go.


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One study from earlier this year found that people who were able to travel frequently reported better mental, physical, and emotional health than those who stayed closer to home.

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The Impact of Going Too Long Without a Vacation. Even though your career focus seems bright, going too long without a vacation can have serious consequences. Stressful situations take a toll on your mental and physical health, leading to poor performance at work, exhaustion, illness, and depression.

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A social psychologist, Dr Michael Brein explained that travel, for many, becomes a means of physical and psychological escape from one's mundane routine. And so, many find the act of travelling rewarding and special.

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It increases serotonin production and provides a dose of Vitamin D. Travel is often outdoors and so offering plenty of daylight. Rather than dragging oneself off the couch for fresh air, we find we're raring to go.

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Going on a holiday — especially to new, exciting, and relaxing destinations like the Caribbean — can significantly benefit our mental health. There's nothing like floating on crystal clear cerulean waters and soaking up that vitamin d to boost your serotonin levels.

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According to neuroscientists, when we travel, we rewire our brains. This is because new experiences are the key to building new neural pathways in the brain. By rewiring your brain, you become more creative and accepting of new ideas.

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Dryness and air pressure changes can affect your ears, sinuses & taste. A 3 hour flight can shed up to 1.5 litres of water from the body. Aeroplane cabin humidity levels as low as 4% can cause the mucous membranes of your nose, mouth and throat to dry out.

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In conclusion, travelling can be a powerful tool for healing, personal growth, and well-being. It allows us to escape from our daily routines, explore new places, and connect with ourselves and others. Moreover, travelling can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance our mental and physical health.

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It usually takes a few days, but in extreme cases, the mood can last for several weeks before wearing off. Faster ways of treating post-vacation blues are for the person to share experiences with family and friends or to look at photos and souvenirs.

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