Frankly, you don’t have to tell us twice that we should be booking a vacation as we speak, but scientists have some pretty solid, science-backed reasons we should all be planning some sort of vacation. And yes, staycations totally count. Let’s get started!
(image via: travel and leisure)
You Probably (Definitely) Need a Break from the Everyday Stresses of Life
Okay, this one is a no-brainer, of course we need a break from our everyday stresses; but studies have found that one of the best, most effective ways to lower cortisol, your stress hormone, is to go on a vacation. Studies have also found that it’s not uncommon for your body to need one or two days to start feeling that unwound vacay feeling, so be sure to take that into account as you plan a vacation.
Regular Vacations Can Lead to a Longer Life
Yeah, you read that right, studies in women specifically have found that those that do not take vacations are actually eight times likelier to have a heart attack or die of heart disease than those who plan one or two vacations per year. That’ll do it for us, we’re booking a resort as we speak.
(image via: travel daily news)
A Real Brain-Booster
Neuroscience tells us that all of those great ideas are more than likely to happen when our brain is in a relaxed state of mind. Hence all of those bright shower thoughts you probably have, smartie pants.
More Dopamine, Please
To give it to you straight, being on vacation makes you happy. And when you’re feeling happy, that means that somewhere in that big, beautiful brain of yours, you’re getting dopamine, the happy hormone! So if you’ve been feeling a little low or you just feel like you could use a dopamine boost, go on vacation!
A Sleep Reset
Vacation is a great way to reset your sleep schedule, the research says so. A study done by Air New Zealand found that not only do people have better sleep quality while on vacation, but they also sleep better once they get home from vacation. And it makes a lot of sense when you think about it, typically while on vacation you’re moving around in different ways throughout the day versus just a typical day at the office, hence the sleeping well while on vacation. Then once you get home you are once again getting used to a different routine, hence sleeping great once you’re back in the swing of things.
(image via: liberty travel)