Maintaining the Vacation Ambiance: Strategies for Eco-Friendly Leisure Activities
In the bustling world of work and daily life, taking a break for a vacation can be more than just a chance to unwind. According to research, a well-planned and enjoyable holiday can have profound and lasting effects on stress reduction, well-being, and health.
Work psychologist Carmen Binnewies emphasizes that it's not the length of the vacation that determines relaxation, but the experiences during that time. Self-determination, or designing the vacation to meet one's own needs, is an important factor for individual relaxation experiences.
The anticipation of the trip plays a significant role in reducing stress hormones like cortisol weeks before the vacation, contributing to lower stress levels overall. A break from daily stressors allows the body's stress hormones to normalize, reducing burnout and anxiety.
Engaging in joyful and relaxing activities during vacation, such as spending time with loved ones or exploring new environments, enhances mood and well-being. The benefits of these experiences can last weeks or months after returning.
Social connections and authentic interactions are another key factor. Travel encourages social interaction and supports emotional well-being, mitigating risks of loneliness that contribute to aging and mental health decline. Incorporating physical activity, whether it's walking, hiking, or swimming, improves cardiovascular health and promotes healthy aging.
Vacations also offer an opportunity to practise relaxation and mindfulness, which can amplify stress reduction and health benefits. Combining vacation with mindfulness or meditation can strengthen immune function and reduce depression symptoms.
Maintaining a positive mindset and routines cultivated during vacation can continue to support mental health after returning home. Integrating relaxation techniques or social activities from the trip into regular life helps sustain benefits.
Several shorter vacations a year can be beneficial, as scientific studies show that people who go on vacation more often are more satisfied. Regular breaks are crucial for regeneration from work, and taking one to two days off after the vacation to readjust can help make the relaxation last longer.
The type of relaxation that is most beneficial can vary depending on individual stress factors and professional demands. The German Institute for Tourism Research at the West Coast University of Applied Sciences evaluated 92 scientific studies from tourism research, psychology, medicine, and social sciences to determine the effects of vacation on recovery, health, and subjective well-being.
Further research is planned for this year by the German Institute for Tourism Research. Eudaimonic well-being, the feeling of meaningfulness and personal growth, plays a significant role in finding the ideal relaxation holiday. Challenging activities during vacation, like trying a new sport or immersing oneself in a foreign culture, can boost eudaimonic well-being.
Good planning, such as avoiding unnecessary stress during arrival and departure, is crucial for a relaxing vacation. Preserving vacation feelings by looking at photos and videos, or incorporating vacation routines into daily life, can help extend the positive effects of the vacation.
In essence, to maximize and prolong vacation benefits, one should look forward to the trip, fully disconnect from stressors during the vacation, engage in enriching social and physical activities, and incorporate relaxation or mindfulness practices. These combined factors support lasting reductions in stress, improved mood, mental health, and physical well-being well beyond the vacation period.
A well-designed vacation, whether it involves a home-and-garden retreat, travel to a foreign locale, or a lifestyle focused on self-improvement, can have profound effects on one's health and well-being for weeks or even months after returning. Engaging in joyful and relaxing activities, such as exploring new environments, spending time with loved ones, or practising mindfulness during the vacation, significantly enhances mood and well-being.
