Now that Halloween is over, the rest of the year always seems to fly by. We’ve officially entered the holiday season. Well, that’s debatable, but it’s safe to say you’ll start seeing festive decorations from November 1st through the end of the year here in North Carolina. Thanksgiving will be here in several weeks, and then well, you know the deal. It will be time to start pulling out the tinsel and mistletoe. I love the holidays, I really do, but there’s no denying that this can be a stressful time of year for many people. Before you’re consumed by all the festivities, I encourage you to make a little time for yourself. Read on to learn about the health benefits of taking a vacation before the holidays.
Disconnect to reconnect.
Research shows that it can take at least three days to begin to really decompress on vacation. If you don’t have three days, you can still make the most out of whatever time you do have by simply unplugging and disconnecting. Don’t bring work with you on vacation, and of course try to spend a little less time on your phone. The more you can unplug, the quicker you’ll start to feel the positive effects of your vacation. We like to call it disconnecting to reconnect.
Consider wellness travel.
At the Horton, we advocate for “wellness travel,” which is a blend of rest, relaxation, and exploration. This is one of the best ways to reboot and refresh your mind. Gaining a fresh perspective by exploring a new area combined with taking things slow can work wonders for the mind, including boosting creativity and productivity. “Wellness travel” traditionally involves making time for nature, too. The Horton is just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, so it’s safe to say you’ll have access to lots of outdoor activities.
Vacation happiness is contagious.
This might be my favorite health benefit of taking a vacation, especially right before the holidays. Psychologists have observed that the good energy you bring back from your vacation tends to rub off on all the people around you. Got a full house for the holidays? Some extra good vibes might be exactly what you and yours need. According to a study published by NPR, happiness really is contagious! “They found that when a person becomes happy, a friend living close by has a 25 percent higher chance of becoming happy themselves. A spouse experiences an 8 percent increased chance and for next-door neighbors, it’s 34 percent.” That’s pretty powerful stuff. Read more about how happiness is contagious here.
Take the same advice that you’d give to a friend.
If you have the time, take it. If you don’t have the time, make it. Do it for you. If it’s hard for you to splurge on yourself, think about what you’d encourage a friend to do, and then take that advice yourself.
If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We often send out specials, and perhaps there will be a few “pre-holiday getaway” packages. Click here to sign up. What are you waiting for? Start planning your pre-holiday vacation. Even the planning phase has positive health benefits!
Author: Megan Biddix
