Spring Break: 3 Reasons Why Vacations Matter
Although it may not feel like it, it is Spring Break.
It's a time where many of our clients, family and friends use to go on a vacation.
The truth is that vacations are not a luxury. They are actually a need in order to have a well-balanced, healthy life. Vacations are as important as eating well and getting exercise.
Here are e reasons to make them a priority in your life:
- Vacations Help Relieve Stress: Stress is a true physiological response originally meant to help us and keep us safe. It releases hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine for the fight or flight response that was necessary for early man. However, in modern society, chronic stress can be destructive to our bodies. Getting away for regular vacations and leaving our every day stresses give us a break from the constant high levels of these hormones and a chance to repair some of the damage.
- Vacations Help Prevent Heart Disease: Stress is one of the major contributors to heart disease and high blood pressure. Long-term studies in both men and women have shown that vacations can reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Men who vacationed regularly were more than 32% less likely to die from a heart attack. For women who vacation regularly, that figure jumps to 50% less likely to die from a heart attack. (2010 Framingham Heart Study)
- Vacations Help Maintain Focus: Studies find chronic stress can affect the part of the brain that inhibits goal-directed activities and causes problems with memory. Continuous work with no breaks or vacations can make people feel blocked and distracted, and have problems concentrating. Surveys show almost three-quarters of people who vacation regularly feel energized and more ready to tackle the tasks at hand.
Taking vacations can help keep you young as chronic stress is believed to accelerate the aging process. So do yourself a big favor, make yourself a priority and take some time off. Taking regular vacations is one of the most rewarding activities you can do to stay healthy!