‘I need a break’. It’s a statement we all find ourselves saying when we’ve been at the coalface for a little too long. When we urgently need time away from our everyday stresses and routines. A holiday is often seen as the cure for stress and burnout, which is why Brits take 19.1 million visits abroad and 44.7 million staycations each year.
But beyond simply being relaxing, why is it exactly that going on holiday is so beneficial for our mental health? To shine a light on the part of your holiday you’ve probably thought least about, here are the top five benefits.
Relax and recharge
The most obvious mental health benefit of a holiday is that it lets you relax away the stresses of everyday life. As we go through our working, everyday lives without a proper stretch of time to kick back and relax, we can be more susceptible to mental ill health. Having a long period to really enjoy ourselves and what we love doing, away from the hustle and bustle, can serve as a recharge and reset.
Get active
Heading on holiday allows you to be more active, experiencing outdoor pursuits that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to experience at home. Whether you’re heading on an Italy tour to explore the Dolomites, cycling through France, or hiking in Peru, the endorphins released from physical exercise, coupled with wondrous sights far flung from the humdrum of home, make for a mental health boost like none other!
Boost your sleep
Holidaying can also help improve your sleep. According to a top sleep coach quoted by Stylist in 2023, the relaxation we feel while we’re on a holiday away can turn off the fight or flight response that can be triggered by lots of aspects of our daily lives. Less caffeine, less blue light from technology, and the opportunity to lie in as long as we’d like, can all also help improve and reset sleep patterns.
Strengthen your relationships
Poor mental health can be both caused and exacerbated by poor relationships with our close family and friends. Going on holiday can provide us with an opportunity to get to know each other better, spend more quality time together, and rediscover what we love about one another.
Improve your focus
In everyday life, our focus is continually tested and knocked by notifications, emails, phone calls and all the other distractions that happen in the day-to-day. If you’re finding these too much, or you need to up your focus to work on a personal project, like a hobby or interest, then going away can give you that breathing space to fully switch off and focus, boosting your mental health in the process.
What’s your favourite mental health benefit of going away?
The Urban Woman Magazine Editorial Team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who have a keen eye for detail and a passion for all things urban. We strive to create fresh, original content that appeals to the modern woman. Our mission is to provide a platform for women to share their stories, experiences and opinions on various issues affecting their lives.
