The power of vacation
2020 has thrown a lot at us: a pandemic, fires, a stressful election…. and most of us have been more anxious this year.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls monthly, 53 percent of adults said that “worry and stress” related to the pandemic have negatively affected their mental health.
And for many Americans, one big factor in managing mental health is travel – something many of us don’t feel comfortable doing yet. In fact, according to a July LinkedIn survey, two-thirds of people are not planning to take or don’t know whether they will take a vacation in 2020.
Yet regular breaks from work are essential to mental health, especially during a pandemic. Research has shown that the pandemic has made the average workday 48 minutes longer. And now that many people are working from home, it’s more difficult to disengage at home and unplug from work.
Vacations are essential for your health and mental well-being. According to the largest running study of cardiovascular disease, the Framingham Heart Study, men who didn’t take a vacation for several years were 30% more likely to have heart attacks compared to those who did. Women who only vacationed once every six or more years were approximately eight times more likely to develop coronary heart disease compared to those who vacationed at least twice per year. Other noted benefits include a decrease in the rate of depression, less stress, and greater productivity.
The message is clear: Take every minute of vacation you are owed. And, it may even help you be more productive when you return – just like the logger who stops to sharpen his saw ends up felling the tree faster than the logger who kept on continuously with a dull blade.
Vacation is good for the entire family.
You will find that taking a vacation helps not just you, but the entire family. According to a survey of British households, family vacations are considered “happiness anchors” for kids. Happiness anchors are defined as positive childhood memories, and guess which memories are most often fondly recalled? You guessed it – family vacations! Additionally, opting to take vacations over buying gifts teaches children to value experiences over things, and produces a strong bond within the family. It’s also good for brain development, as it stimulates the brain’s centers for creativity, curiosity and social intelligence.
How safe is travel?
Some people are starting to feel more comfortable with travel and as the airlines learn more, it’s looking like travel on some airlines can be fairly safe. Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses don’t spread easily on flights. But it’s important to maintain distance between you and the other travelers. Some airlines, that follow the CDC guidelines for cleaning, requiring masks, and blocking middle seats, are safer than others. Here is a list of the top 10 safest airlines from Safe Travel Barometer who released its Safe Travel Scores for airlines around the world.
If air travel isn’t for you, you can still get away by driving. With enhanced cleaning procedures and less interaction with hotel guests and staff, short-term rentals like Airbnb are looking like a safe way to getaway. See here article about Airbnb’s safety standards and policies.
What about a staycation?
Still unsure about travel? A staycation at home can still do you some good. You can reap the benefits of a vacation while staying at home by following some simple guidelines:
- Clear your schedule: take time off of work, do your chores ahead of time, act just as if you were going on a normal vacation and make sure you’re set up so that you can take some real time off.
- Schedule some activities: visit nature, do some outdoor dining, do some crafts at home. Schedule whatever it is that makes you happy that you haven’t had time to do.
- Cook a great meal: take the time to cook a great meal that will make you feel like you’re away. And set the table as if you’re in a restaurant with candlelight and cloth napkins. Make it feel special!
- Pamper yourself with a home spa: Do a meditation, take a long bath, or put on the face mask you’ve been meaning to use. Scented essential oils in the shower can make you feel like you’re somewhere tropical.
Can’t take a vacation? Take a break.
If you can’t take a full vacation, try to take a break. Taking a couple hours out of your day to do something you enjoy will relax your mind so that you can focus when you need to and make better decisions. Even better, take frequent mini breaks. Another tip is to separate your work life from your personal life in small ways such as keeping work email off your phone and not doing work during your off days. If you are able to, get out of the house for the day. Just 24 hours spent out of the house enough to reap the benefits.
If you’re one of the 49% of Americans who doesn’t take a vacation, maybe you should start. Your body and mind will thank you, and if you have kids, they will also be grateful later in life for having those experiences to fall back on. And if you’re not able to take a vacation, there are other options for keeping your mind and body feeling well.
Still feeling stressed? We can help. Chiropractic not only helps to relieve pain, it also reduces stress! Give us a call to schedule an appointment: 510-922-1579 or schedule online at www.corewellnessfm.com.
Use your HSA or FSA benefits before they expire!
This is a friendly reminder that you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) debit cards for all chiropractic, massage, and/or supplement orders through Fullscript. If you have an FSA account, your funds will not roll into next year, so take advantage now before it’s too late.
Want to feel better? Let us help you?. Call our office at 510-922-1579, text us at 510-692-4428, or email us at info@core-wellnessgroup.com.
One last thing
We offer gift certificates for chiropractic and massage services. You can purchase gift certificates and schedule your appointment by email or over the phone. Please consider treating yourself or a loved one and schedule relief that you can look forward to.
You can email us at info@core-wellnessgroup.com to purchase a gift certificate or a package of chiropractic treatments.
