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Don\u2019t skip that trip. New research shows that a vacation is more than just fun; it has unexpected health benefits.<\/p>\n
According to a recent report<\/a> from The Wall Street Journal<\/em>, going on a trip and getting out of your usual surroundings may be good for your mind, too.<\/p>\n The Journal<\/em> pointed out that travel demands more than the usual day-to-day routines. At home, much of life runs on autopilot. People wear familiar clothes, take the same route, see the same colleagues and make countless small decisions without much thought.<\/p>\n A new place disrupts that rhythm, forcing a traveler to navigate unfamiliar streets, try different foods, meet new people and figure things out as they go. The extra engagement can build confidence and leave people feeling more energized.\u00a0<\/p>\n No doctor is likely to prescribe a week in Italy anytime soon. But the evidence that vacations support mental well-being is growing. A recent study<\/a> published in the Journal of Travel Medicine<\/em> found that some benefits of travel, including better mood and sleep, can linger after the trip ends. Simply having a trip on the calendar may also improve people\u2019s outlook on their family life, health and finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n The destination may not be the only thing that matters. A meta-analysis<\/a> of 55 controlled clinical trials involving more than 4,400 participants found that activities often associated with a good vacation, such as quiet time in nature or more active pursuits such as hiking, can benefit mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\n The study, published last year in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management<\/em>, found that the things that make a getaway feel restorative may be doing real work for your well-being.<\/p>\n Research<\/a> by Rory Mulcahy, an associate professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, suggests that a trip can create an initial lift in happiness. That boost may, in turn, strengthen psychological resilience, or your ability to cope with stress and adapt when things go wrong.<\/p>\n The vacation glow may fade after you return to regular life, but the resilience people build from travel can stick around. They do not need a complicated, expensive itinerary to see an effect: Mulcahy\u2019s research suggests even one night away from home can help.\u00a0<\/p>\n An additional study<\/a> found that travelers scored about 15% higher on a standard measure of well-being after a trip than people who stayed home. Mulcahy\u2019s research suggests that a post-travel high can last for as long as four months.<\/p>\n That could be particularly valuable for someone dealing with major stress, Mulcahy said. A quick getaway could help people worn down by the more ordinary pressures of work and family life. \u201cIf you\u2019ve been putting off your next holiday, it\u2019s worth making it a priority even if it\u2019s just one day,\u201d he told the Journal<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Don\u2019t skip that trip. New research shows that a vacation is more than just fun; it has unexpected health benefits.<\/p>\nPost-travel high lasts up to four months<\/h2>\n
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