Going on vacation is the most expected moment of the year, especially if you have a trip in your calendar. It is the time to take a break from school activities (for those who go to school or university) and enjoy the time with your family or your friends.
Having this break is essential so we can return even more motivated and make our work more productive. But it is important to note that even on vacation we may feel tired, because travelling can be exhausting too, but a good kind of tired.
The difference between types of tiredness
At the moment that you are with your family or friends getting to know another country or culture your body may be tired from walking 30,000 steps per day, but your mind is clear. We can even learn new lessons, and at the end of the day, we go home happy and full of energy. This momentt of the year is amazing for creating memories that will stay with us forever.
It is different when we are stuck in our daily routine having to go to work or study. We feel mentally tired and just want the day to finish and to go to bed to rest.
Both types of tiredness are important, because travelling is really good but coming back to real life is awesome too.
Taking vacations is also important to our health
A large part of having good health actually comes from the taste of happiness and peace that vacations bring.
Researchers published recently in the Journal of Applied Psychology challenges previous ideas about how long the benefits of a holiday last. In this search, combined data from 32 studies examining changes in wellbeing before, during, and after a holiday.
As expected, wellbeing did decline moderately after participants returned to work — but, importantly, it remained higher than before their holiday. While previous research has suggested that post-holiday benefits vanish quickly, this study found that wellbeing stayed elevated even 21 days after returning. The researchers estimate that the positive effects could, in fact, last up to 43 days.
So while the wellbeing effects of a holiday don’t last forever, this study suggests they endure longer than we once thought. The biggest boost happens during the holiday itself, reinforcing the idea that stepping away from work meaningfully enhances wellbeing.
In the end, it is super important for everybody to have this break. You will be happy, at peace and your mind will be clear, but it is also good to know that after this really good time, you have somewhere to go back to.
———————-
The article above was edited by Larissa Vilapiano Prais.
Liked this type of content? Check Her Campus Cásper Líbero‘s homepage for more.