We’ve all experienced that “feel-good factor” while on holiday, as a combination of relaxation, good weather and a break from the norm help the stresses and strains of daily life melt away. (Featured image by paolo bosonin)
But is this feel-good factor just in our heads, or are there genuine medical benefits to a holiday? According to one study, taking a holiday can do wonders for our long-term health.
A study by healthcare charity Nuffield Health and holiday company Kuoni has found that our annual getaway is about much more than getting some time-off.
It was found that a holiday can lower blood pressure, improve our stress management and help us get a good night’s sleep.
What’s more, the positive effects of a holiday can last for weeks and even months after we return – improving our overall health.
“This study backs up with evidence the long-held belief that holidays are good for our health,” said Derek Jones, managing director of Kuoni.
“I hope people will acknowledge not only a boost to their productivity, but to their longevity from taking full annual leave, preferably peppered throughout the year.”
The study tested participants who were divided into a travel group and non-travel group, on their stress levels and blood pressure.
Those in the travel group had 6 per cent lower blood pressure over the test period, while those in the non-travel group saw an increase in blood pressure of 2 per cent.
The ability to recover from stress saw a marked improvement among the travel group, increasing by 29 per cent. The non-travellers, on the other hand, saw a deterioration of a whopping 71 per cent.
“These results clearly demonstrate that on holiday our resilience to stress improves,” said Dr Lucy Goundry, medical director of wellbeing for Nuffield Health.
“Becoming more resilient to stress is hugely important as most of us will return back to stress when our holiday ends, but being more resilient to it helps lay the foundations for improved productivity at work, better energy levels and ultimately happiness.”
