We hear that vacations are good for our health, but it's not just anecdotal. Research shows that vacations can help you live a longer, healthier life.
"Vacations are very important and we have a lot of [data about] vacations and stress levels," says Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic.
Why are vacations so vital to health? They're crucial to reducing everyday stress. A global survey by Gallup finds that we’re more stressed than ever. And according to Roizen, this is a serious health issue.
Stress impacts our overall well-being — contributing to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, dementia and even wrinkled skin. Stress also weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.
But there's good news, especially for those who like to vacation. Getting away, even for a few days, may be saving your life.
Plan your next vacation from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and read these six simple tips to reduce stress and boost the health benefits of a well-deserved break.
1. Go With People You Love
Our desire for a strong social network goes beyond followers on social media. Our relationships with family, friends, coworkers and community are vital to survival and well-being. People are at their best when they feel connected and cared for.
Numerous studies point to the health benefits of social connectedness, and a vacation can be a great way to nurture and strengthen those relationships. Social support can improve the ability to cope with stress, encourage healthier choices, improve quality of life and lower serious outcomes like heart disease, stroke and depression.
Vacations are a great time to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with loved ones. Consider staying somewhere with enough space to accommodate your social circle so family and friends can join you.
2. Exercise
There's no question that exercise reduces stress and improves health. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, exercise improves sleep and lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Plus, physical activity reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body — including cortisol and adrenaline — and stimulates the production of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and mood lifters.
Moving your body can be as relaxing as a walk on the beach or a local yoga class. You can also make the most of your break from your regular routine and start a new exercise habit—thanks to Hilton Grand Vacations’ on-property fitness centers. Or try out a new form of exercise from available amenities, such as swimming or pickleball.
3. Explore New Places
Vacations offer an escape, figuratively and literally. Sarah Pressman is a psychologist and professor studying the effects of vacation on well-being. For her, escaping to nature is a way to feel revitalized. “People often feel more energized after spending time outside. Lots of things are happening to our bodies, and psychologically we’re calmer and happier in nature.”
National parks offer a variety of environments to explore — from expansive desert vistas to towering, verdant forests — that help you focus on the present, disconnect from technology and get your body moving.
Seeing new locations can even help develop creativity. Anna Abraham, a professor and director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at the University of Georgia, emphasizes the relationship between creativity and openness. “Creative people have the kind of curiosity that draws them toward learning new things and experiencing the world in new ways,” she says.
Get out of your comfort zone and discover an unfamiliar destination with new sights and tastes to experience. You’ll feel rejuvenated physically and mentally.
4. Eat Well-Balanced Meals
Experts at the American Psychological Association say stress can kill your appetite and spike cortisol, causing fat and sugar cravings. These cravings, along with substances like alcohol, may seem to relieve stress in the short term but don’t solve the root of the issue.
However, there’s no need to start a new diet on vacation. Try to incorporate a rainbow of fruits and vegetables on your plate, which are high in the nutrients your body needs to maintain health and help your body deal with stress.
Eating out for every meal can become tiresome, so consider staying someplace with an accessible kitchen. Plus, a kitchen gives you more control over what you eat, making it easy to add some color (and nutrients) to your meal. Not to mention, cooking with friends and family can be a fun bonding experience.
5. Catch Up On Sleep
Most people's daily lives are packed with non-stop activity from sunup to sundown, leading to a constant state of stress and difficulty sleeping. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in three adults get less than the recommended amount of sleep, increasing health issues.
Sleep tourism is emerging as one of the year’s biggest travel trends as vacationers prioritize catching up on quality shut-eye. Practice healthy bedtime habits like limiting electronics and late-night meals or winding down before bed with a meditation or relaxing music.
6. Find Flexible Options
Find ways to vacation that give you options about who to bring, where to go and what to do. One of the benefits of Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare is flexibility. Enjoy spacious accommodations with home-away-from-home comforts wherever you go.
Hilton Grand Vacations' flexible Points system makes it easy to travel the world your way. Return to your favorite destination, or branch out and explore the world.
Regardless of how you choose to get away, experts agree that vacations are good for your health. “Nutrition, exercise, getting enough sleep… all of those things you can do on vacation,” says Roizen. “Maybe even better because you control your time on vacation.”
Read “Unlocking Adventure: How One Couple Enjoys The Flexibility Of Timeshare With Hilton Grand Vacations.”