Say “Hey” to a Vacay

Say “Hey” to a Vacay: Make Vacation a Time for Improving Your Mental Health

by Annabelle Harris Not everyone likes to take a vacation. Sometimes, people prefer staying close to home and just relaxing in front of the TV during their days off. Those that are desperate for an out-of-town vacation, on the other hand, may want to plan ahead for how to get the most out of it. Ruth for the Broken explains why vacations are good for you and how to make the most out of them.

Why Are Vacations Good for You? 1. Travel often relieves stress. Taking a break from daily life is a surefire way to relieve some of the stress that has been building up. When you’re not stuck worrying about work or bills, everything begins to look more positive. According to Verywell Mind, having a stress-free vacation can even keep you relaxed for up to five weeks after your return. The article also talks about how vacations improve our overall health, stating that people’s sleep and mood had improved after getting back from their vacation.

2. Travel increases our creativity. Whether you’re an artist, an accountant, or a restaurant manager, we all get stuck in the same old ruts in our day-to-day lives. Vacations are proven to re-energize the brain and help get those creative juices flowing once more. Forbes.com notes that employers often give days off to encourage workers to leave and come back with fresh new ideas and a can-do attitude. The fewer days that workers take off, the higher the chance that in the future, employers won’t offer as many vacation days. Take advantage while you can because, believe it or not, your employers want you to use them. How to Make the Most Out of Your Vacation 1. Prepare ahead of time. One of the biggest things that can cause stress while you’re in the middle of your vacation is not being prepared. Make a list ahead of time of things that you need to pack, and check them off as you pack them. Plan your travel arrangements in advance so it is one less thing to worry about on the day that you’re set to leave. Also be sure that your home will be taken care of when you go away. A smart home security system goes a long way in protecting your home from intruders (automatic locks, motion-detection lighting, etc.), plus you get the double benefit of saving on utilities when you schedule lights on/lights off that replicate homeowners still inside. Further utility savings can be seen when synced with smart thermostats. Ask a neighbor or friend to water your plants, and find a pet sitter if you have a dog or other pet that needs to be taken care of. If you think you may be nervous about your home while you’re away, consider simply asking a friend to stay at your place so you can be reassured that your home is well taken care of. 2. Disconnect from the internet. While you’re on your vacation, you may want to show off the sights and sounds around you to your family back home, but it’s important to also be present in the moment. Psychology Today suggests turning off your devices while you’re away or even leaving them at home, and also provides seven other steps on how to get the most out of your vacation. This gives you the opportunity to take everything in and increases the chances that you’ll have great stories to tell when you get back so you don’t have to rely on only pictures or videos. If you’re someone who works hard on a daily basis, it’s not wrong to want to take a vacation and relax. Most people, in fact, will tell you that it’s healthy to take a vacation once in a while. Consider the previous points when deciding whether or not you take some days off, and if you do, follow these steps to help make the most of them. Photo Credit: Pixabay.com The Ruth for the Broken blog traces Ruth’s long bipolar disorder journey with the goal of giving hope to other people suffering with a mental illness and to educate patients, family members, friends, co-workers, the public, and law enforcement officers about mental illnesses. Learn more today!