The kind of car you drive and the number of carats you wear are classic status symbols, but more and more it seems that how busy you are is the biggest signifier of importance in 2018. Hustling hard, on the grind, Americans are working more than the English, Germans, and recently, even more than the Japanese. Not only that, but we work longer days, retire later, and take less vacation — not exactly the American Dream. But if you happen to have an abundance of unused vacation days, highly consider taking them. Numerous studies have shown that travelers feel less anxious after taking even three days off and that these benefits tend to linger for weeks after the trip has ended. Additionally, according to a Cornell University study, people also experience a direct increase in happiness from just planning a trip.
Here are a handful of other benefits from travel according to verywellmind.com:
Promote Creativity
A good vacation can help us to reconnect with ourselves, operating as a vehicle for self-discovery and helping us get back to feeling our best.
Stave Off Burnout
Workers who take regular time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and productive than their overworked, under-rested counterparts.
Keep Healthy
Taking regular time off to recharge your batteries, thereby keeping stress levels lower, can keep you healthier.
Promote Overall Well Being
One study found that three days after vacation, subjects’ physical complaints, their quality of sleep and mood had improved as compared to before vacation. These gains were still present five weeks later, especially in those who had more personal time and overall satisfaction during their vacations.
Strengthen Bonds
Spending time enjoying life with loved ones can keep relationships strong, helping you enjoy the good times more and helping you through the stress of the hard times. A study by the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services found that women who took vacations were more satisfied with their marriages.
Help With Your Job Performance
According to a study by the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services, the psychological benefits that come with more frequent vacations lead to increased quality of life, and that can lead to increased quality of work on the job.
Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.