IMPORTANCE OF VACATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

Victoria Falls-Zambia

The 1992 Framingham Heart Study, which still stands as the gold standard for long-term health studies, tracked workers over 20 years. It found that "men who don't take vacations were 30% more likely to have heart attack and for women it went up to 50%," These numbers hold true even after researchers took into account other health factors like diabetes, cigarette smoking, income levels and obesity. The conclusions from the study have been backed up by other similar research studies.

In today’s hyper-connected smartphone world, we’re often working 24/7. Our minds are constantly switched on, constantly online. That leads to fatigue-metal and physical and when the fatigue is there all the time, you don’t even realise you’re fatigued as it has become the order of the day.

That’s why, now, more than ever, it’s so important to take vacations/sabbaticals. Taking time off is a fantastic way to recharge and recalibrate your career goals. The disconnect allows then to see the bigger picture and realign your compasses for the next big target or goal.

Traveling improves on relationship via spending quality time with family and Friends.

With amazing friends-Zimbabwe

Spending more time away from the office with your family and friends is very essential.  By the way, work is a never-ending process and life is not only about work, office, meetings and customers. Sometimes in our efforts to provide for our families, we miss a key point: quality time with them.  That meeting is important but so is your family and friends. On our death bed, we will not wish to spend more time in the office or checking emails, writing reports or minutes but spending time with family and friends. That’s why, its important to disconnect regularly and experience real life with those that matter most to you.

Travelling Reduces Stress

Researchers have also found that vacation is also valuable for mental health and well-being. "Vacation is essential to reset and remind yourself that career is not the be-all and end-all. There are other facets to a healthy existence [outside work]," said Sherry Amatenstein, a New York City-based Therapist.  Those who don't take time off are "sicker, less productive, stressed, and more anxious and depressed—that affects your work as well."

Emotional Agility

One of the benefits of travelling is enhanced emotional agility, or the ability to not react immediately to emotions, but to observe those that arise, carefully collect information to understand the possible causes, then intentionally decide how to manage them. In a study of 485 United States adults, exposure to foreign travel was linked to a greater ability to direct attention and energy, which helps us function effectively in diverse situations and display appropriate verbal and nonverbal signals of emotion. By spending time in unfamiliar towns, cities, or countries, you become tolerant and even accepting of your own discomfort and more confident in your ability to navigate ambiguous situations.

With amazing friends-India

Increased Empathy

Empathy also increases when your travels thrust you into new territory. In that same study of Americans, those who’d traveled abroad showed a greater ability to suspend judgment about a person until acquiring information beyond surface qualities (age, sex, race, or ethnicity)

People who travel to more countries develop a greater tolerance and trust of strangers, which alter their attitudes toward not only strangers but also colleagues and friends back home. They became more appreciative of people with new knowledge, philosophies, and skills. I can resonate with this as few times I have traveled , it has enabled me to respect other cultures, enjoy other food stuff, music and language. My perception of certain ethnicity has drastically been altered after interacting with them and am now more tolerant than before.

Increased creativity.

A study of 46 Dutch workers found that after going on an international holiday for two to three weeks, they were able to generate more and more-diverse ideas for alternative ways to use everyday objects, such as bricks, tires, spoons, and pencils. Researchers in Singapore have likewise found that greater exposure to other cultures through traveling, having international friendships, studying languages, and consuming music and food from other countries is linked to unconventional problem solving.

Highwire adrenaline adventure on the Victoria Falls

You have heard for yourselves, therefore start by writing in your calendar beforehand when to schedule time for a your next vacation. Once the vacation is in your schedule—even if it's six or eight months from now—you can organize around it. 

Next booked trip-Macau

As for me with my family and friends, we plan and have already planned our trips through a proven systematic, convenient and affordable system (leave a comment or drop email: bmchishimba@gmail.com for more details about this system). You too can do yours and get the benefits of traveling. Start viewing vacation time as a non-negotiable—like nutritious  food, it's a vital part of your health care, so start treating it as such.

Enjoy your next vacation!

TravelwithBrighton

InspirewithBrighton

(References: CNN Travel, HBR, 2018)