How holidays work - and how we find relaxation and recreation
Created: 2022-08-10Updated: 2022-08-10, 2:05 p.m
A break is good - and has a positive effect on your health.
What it takes for us to find good rest when traveling and at home.
Graz/Vienna – Close your laptop, open your suitcase, put your bathing suit in and off you go on vacation!
But even when you've traded your desk for the beach, relaxation isn't guaranteed.
Thoughts continue to revolve around problems, the boss calls and your partner has completely different ideas about vacation than you do. So how can you make the trip as relaxing as possible?
And how does such a vacation affect your health?
Why vacation is healthy
Be in the moment - if you manage to do this, you can switch off particularly well on vacation and not think about everyday life.
(Iconic image) © Christin Klose/dpa-tmn
Psychologist Barbara Horvatits-Ebner says it takes more than just relaxation to come back from vacation refreshed.
While relaxation initially only describes reduced activity, recovery has strong positive effects on body and psyche.
"Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol decrease, blood pressure drops, muscle tension decreases and sleep often improves," says the psychologist, who combines her passion for travel with her specialist knowledge on her blog "reisepsycho.com".
In order to stay relaxed and healthy on holiday, we recommend the right first-aid kit – especially for children.
For this effect to occur, one thing is important: being able to switch off.
That says Prof. Gerhard Blasche, who researches at the Medical University of Vienna - on the question of how leisure time, holidays and spa stays can promote health.
Off on vacation with no worries in your luggage
Distraction helps to block them out, especially when thoughts keep revolving around the same problem.
The first step there is often a change of location, says Prof. Blasche.
The time interval can also help: the longer something is in the past, the less acutely it concerns us.
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A big advantage of vacation: you concentrate more on the moment, you are in a more positive mood.
According to the psychologist, this makes it easier to switch off from everyday life.
It is at least as important not to be constantly reminded of work and everyday life.
"Not being available can be very relaxing," says psychologist Horvatits-Ebner.
Before going on vacation, you should therefore clearly communicate that you will not be available for this period.
Vacation: Relaxation is better with a plan
Stress factors can also be avoided when planning a holiday, she says.
This applies to arrival and departure as well as activities on site.
For example, when couples go on vacation with different ideas, quarrels or dissatisfaction can quickly arise, the psychologist observes.
Her advice: Allow yourself as a couple to experience something separately as well.
"If everyone can spend a free day, you're more balanced in the evening and have more to talk about."
Holiday planning: Challenges make you happy
Depending on your preferences, however, a holiday can sometimes include a challenge, says psychologist Blasche.
If you like hiking in your free time, you might dare to tackle a demanding mountain tour.
Because exercise in the mountains is balm for soul and body.
"Activities that confirm us and give us a sense of competence fill us with pride and satisfaction," says the Viennese professor.
Find relaxation – also at home
However, not everyone is able to travel to the sea or to the mountains, for example because they lack the time or money.
However, psychologists agree: You can also find relaxation at home.
“However, it takes a lot of self-discipline,” says Horvatits-Ebner.
Because often you let yourself be tempted to get work done.
You should therefore consciously organize your everyday life differently and plan day trips, advises Gerhard Blasche.
You can find even more exciting health topics in our free 24vita newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.
If you manage to switch off during the days off, the good news is: recovery can start on the first day, as Blasche confirms.
The effect is strongest in the first seven to ten days.
Memories that are good
The bad news, however, is that this recovery doesn't last long.
According to the health psychologist, three weeks after the holiday at the latest, you are usually back at the same stress level as before.
Nevertheless, regular vacations also have a long-term effect: In terms of well-being, you create memories that can still evoke pleasant feelings years later.
In addition, a trip can serve as an inspiration to bring that holiday feeling into everyday life.
Because even without a sea view, you can enjoy sunsets and visits to restaurants.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
