Vacationing is more than simply a nice getaway from the routine of everyday life. As it turns out, travel has lots of benefits that can affect your health and wellness too.
Beyond stress reduction, vacations can improve heart health, mental health, and private relationships. In fact, men who took annual vacations were 32 percent less likely to die from heart disease, according to The Journal of the American Medical Association. Women benefit, too: Those who take two or more vacations per year “are less likely to be tense, depressed, or tired, and more satisfied with their marriages,” according to the Wisconsin Medical Journal.
Health travel is growing 50 percent faster than travel overall, according to a survey from the Global Wellness Summit. This includes spa, adventure and wellness themed trips. But that doesn’t suggest you must join a yoga retreat to reap the health benefits of the trip. Consider these five tips for adding a healthy dose of wellness to your next vacation.
Disconnect on purpose:
Forty-two percent of employees feel obligated to check e-mail during the vacations and 26 percent feel guilty even taking up their entire vacation, according to Randstad. Make sure to focus on the moment and ignore your phone or limit checking it to once a day. If e-mail or social media is difficult to resist, leave those apps during your vacation.
Relax by the water:
Water is a natural element that inspires relaxation but also provides many opportunities for play. For example, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, offers visitors an incredible 60 miles of ocean to explore, including the famous Intracoastal Waterway. Visit visitmyrtlebeach.com to learn more about how to relax on the sand during the day and fall asleep under the relaxing ocean waves at night.
Try a new activity:
Trying something new can have positive mental and physical benefits. Never tried kayaking or rowing before? Spin. Want to join a yoga class? Sign up for an introductory lesson on the beach. Feeling brave? Parachuting, zip-lining, or parasailing. Whether you have finally found a new hobby or simply gone on a one-off adventure, you are sure to fully enjoy the experience.
Get into nature:
Many health studies have shown the benefits of being outdoors, so make sure to plan plenty of time to explore Mother Nature on your trip. As well as fresh air, go hiking in local parks and explore new sights. While in Myrtle Beach, for example, you could go for a morning jog through Huntington Beach State Park, meditate at Brookgreen Gardens, or plan a family bike ride at Myrtle Beach State Park.
Eat well by eating right:
Going out to eat is a fundamental part of vacationing for most people, but that doesn’t suggest you must indulge so much that you feel sluggish the entire trip. To eat well, plan reasonable meals featuring fresh, local ingredients, such as fruit, vegetables and the daily catch of fish. You’ll enjoy the tantalizing flavors of the region without the heavy meals that tire you out.
Article provided by BPT
