This Is Your Sign to Book a Vacation

Many of us barely took any time off over the last 18 months. Today, feelings of burnout, anxiety, and depression are at an all-time high. Research shows that taking a designated vacation—even if you don't go far—can be a boon to your mental health.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind This Is Your Sign to Book a Vacation   Even throughout the life-altering pandemic, many of us shifted our focus to work as best as we could and continued the "daily grind." Add stay-at-home orders to the equation, and the reality is that many of us barely took any time off over the last 18 months. Today, feelings of burnout, anxiety, and depression are at an all-time high.   Science says that taking a designated vacation—even if you don't go far—can be a boon to your mental health. Vacations allow us to recuperate from the stress of daily life and work-related obligations. It can fuel our creativity, allow us to flex new muscles, and better enjoy life.     "Our ability to respond to challenges, stay on task, and control our emotions and behaviors can be replenished with rest and the positive emotions we naturally feel from taking even brief vacations and engaging in fun and meaningful activities." — SCOTT HYMAN, PH.D.. What This Means For You A vacation doesn't have to mean a lavish getaway to a remote island. It might mean a screens-free staycation at home, a long-weekend road trip, or a simple change of scenery.   This week, set aside time to look at your calendar and schedule some time off work. Use the PTO you have and consider ways you can make the most of long holiday weekends.      On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us Like we said, you don't have to go too far to switch up the pace. National Geographic's 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do offers plenty of fun travel ideas even within your own state. Products to Help You Feel Your Best Have a getaway on the horizon? Consider using a travel planner and journal to help maximize your time off (and remember it well). Erin Condren's Petite Travel Planner allows you to jot down travel details such as your flight schedule and a packing list, and even has journaling prompts. Allow your mind to really "get away" from work-related thoughts by dabbling in a new hobby. From printable embroidery patterns to cyanotype kits to looming sets, there's no shortage of craft projects on Etsy. Consider allocating some of your time off to a meditation retreat. We've rounded up the seven best options for 2021. Read These Next How Vacations Can Affect Your Stress Levels READ NOW Why You Need to Take a Break From Work (and How to Do It) READ NOW Make Your Staycation Truly Relaxing READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy