That Vacation State of Mind

Photo by Saiph Muhammad 

Summer is here! Day dreams turn to fantasies of lounging on the beach, strolling through forests or exploring exotic destinations.

Vacations are essential for our mental health. In this 24/7 world, we need time to detach from day-to-day life and embrace varying vistas, fantastic foods and exhilarating experiences. The types of vacations that are restorative range from quiet staycations to site seeing escapades.

As much as we would love to be on a continuous vacation, for most of us that isn’t possible. Luckily, we don’t have to wait for traditional vacations to reset and recharge. We can incorporate activities into our regular routines that allow us to drift off into other worlds and shrug off daily stress. And even better, they don’t require packing a bag or navigating airports.

So, as you are planning your summer, we wanted to share some suggestions to incorporate into your routine so you can embrace that vacation state of mind every day.

Create Something

Creativity uses a part of the brain that is not always activated in our work life. Adding some creativity to your day can provide stress relief and lead to feelings of accomplishment.

Learn a textile craft: Knitting, crocheting and quilting have been linked to helping relieve long term chronic fatigue, depression and other illnesses. These are all pursuits that can be easily learned and finished products are completed quickly.

Find your inner artist: Some people feel intimidated by the word artist, thinking they have to be able to draw, paint or sculpt like Da Vinci or O’Keefe. While we highly recommend giving these endeavors a try, there are also artistic outlets that are accessible for all including adult coloring books, finger painting and doodling.

DIY your own spa day: What could be better than making something that you can then use to relax your muscles and mind?  You can easily create bath bombs with Epsom salts combined with your favorite essential oils. 

Nurture Something

We are social beings and research continually demonstrates that cultivating relationships in our natural world soothes our psyche.

Get a fish: Research shows that simply looking at a fish tank can induce feelings of tranquility. In one study, it took only five minutes of looking at an aquarium to lower blood pressure and increase reports of positive feelings.

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Get gardening: Like artistic endeavors, gardening can feel intimidating to some. Studies show that connecting to the earth relieves stress and reduces depression. Seeing beauty arise from nothing can lead to a sense of inner peace. Afraid you don’t have a green thumb? Start small with something that is forgiving. We recommend a peace lily. We have one in our G2 office and when we come back from vacation it often looks beyond dead. A little water and it brightens right up.

Pet a puppy, a cat or any animal: The calming power of our connections to animals has long been documented. A study published in the journal Science showed that dogs and humans both have spikes in oxytocin (the love hormone) when they look in each other's eyes.

If you aren’t a traditional animal person, check out this study from the periodical, Gerontology. Researchers gave older adults caged crickets and asked them to care for the insects. Eight weeks later, the study participants reported feeling much better than those in the control group who did not care for crickets.

Don’t want to own a pet? Think about volunteering with animal related charities or find a friend who will allow you some pet time.

Indulge in Something

There is a joy that comes from indulging in something delicious or delightful. It can make us feel pampered and special. It can also reap long term health benefits.

Enjoy some chocolate: This is going to be easy advice to take. According to registered dietitian Mary Ellen Phipps, dark chocolate has antioxidants that can reduce stress hormones and lower blood pressure. This is the part you’re really going to love! She recommends not waiting until you are stressed to grab that chocolate bar. Plan to eat 1 ounce of 70% cacao chocolate every day to keep tension at bay.

Boost your mood with food: In addition to chocolate, finding a culinary adventure, especially if it is shared with friends, can stoke endorphins. It can be anything from trying new recipes together, seeking out fun new food trucks or indulging in a luxurious culinary experience.

Make naps a regular part of your routine: Research shows that individuals who nap regularly experience a lower risk of heart disease and more effectively balance their stress. Daily naps between 20-30 minutes provide the benefit of improved alertness and cognitive function without that foggy feeling often associated with a longer snooze.

We hope that all of you will be able to get away and take a lovely revitalizing vacation. We also wish that in the in-between times you will add some of these activities to keep you perpetually in that vacation state of mind.