“People often say, ‘Rest is for walking a longer road.’ Therefore, many people take breaks to temporarily leave work and rest. However, experts suggest that not all vacations can make us feel fully rested or revitalized, which is due to improper vacationing methods.
Economist Rebekka Grun von Jolk, who specializes in behavioral economics, sociology, and empirical psychology, wrote on Psychology Today website about what kind of vacation can help people regain vitality, providing some clues to help design a truly effective holiday.
Research has shown that vacations are related to emotional improvement, health improvement, and reduced fatigue. When you rid yourself of the trivialities of daily life, you indeed feel better and more energetic. However, these benefits are often temporary and fade away within two to four weeks after the vacation.
During holidays, mentally disconnecting from work is crucial; it is one of the determining factors for the quality of vacation. This means not only physically distancing yourself from work but also mentally—when you sit on the beach, don’t constantly check your email inbox or dwell on negative work scenarios.
Interestingly, maintaining a positive outlook on work—such as recalling a meaningful project or reflecting on your strengths—appears to help in regaining vitality.
Another influencing factor is combining relaxation with engaging and moderately challenging activities. The best vacations often include rest and activities that are captivating, enjoyable, and mildly challenging—whether it’s learning paddleboarding, taking a photography class, or exploring a new city.
Studies suggest that these novel, positive, and social experiences may be more rejuvenating than purely passive leisure activities.
Furthermore, quality sleep during vacations is also crucial. High-quality sleep during holidays seems to indicate higher happiness and a stronger sense of recovery. Similarly, experiencing low stress while away is equally important. If your vacation is filled with stress, tight schedules, or interpersonal conflicts, you are unlikely to feel revitalized no matter where you are.
Lastly, the quality and engagement level of a vacation are more important than its duration. Even shorter vacations, if utilized wisely, can help people recover vigor. Research indicates that frequent short breaks that truly relax and rejuvenate may be more effective than longer vacations taken once a year.
Rebekka Grun von Jolk points out that while research cannot guarantee a perfect vacation plan, it provides us with valuable guidelines. Here are three secrets to enjoying the best vacation:
– Completely relax, not just temporarily setting aside work.
It is crucial to mentally detach from work. Set clear boundaries, declare your offline status, and allow yourself to avoid thinking about work. Do not check emails or messaging apps ‘just in case.’
– Combine relaxation with engaging and enjoyable experiences.
While sleeping, relaxing, and doing nothing are important, vacations that combine rest with novel, learning, and fun activities often result in a deeper sense of rejuvenation.
– Focus on quality rather than duration.
Even brief respites, when they help you relax both mentally and physically and engage in meaningful activities without pressure, can revitalize you. After the vacation, maintaining brief daily breaks can also be helpful.
In conclusion, vacations are not a luxury but a vital part of maintaining our energy and achieving meaningful work and life. When planning a vacation, consider how to arrange it in a way that truly restores vitality.
Previously, travel experts said that if you have 10 clear signs, you should go on vacation. These signs include trouble sleeping, frequent irritation, making mistakes often, loss of vitality, feeling jealous and disappointed when others are on vacation, etc. (For more details, click here: [link to be inserted]).”