Vacations are a period eagerly awaited by a large part of the population, especially those who are active during the rest of the year both academically and professionally. The vacation stage represents a few days where we can get away from the established routine and enjoy the time to carry out the activities that are more complicated to do during the year.
There is evidence that supports the importance of these days outside the routine for our physical, mental and social health. In fact, it is known that vacations are necessary to alleviate fatigue and the health of workers. Going one step further, vacations are positive for the worker and also for the company since it helps against work-related stress among its employees.
The fun and beautiful part of the holidays is more than portrayed and we all hear year after year how eager most of the people around us are for those days to arrive. However, what psychological effects does the holiday season bring? Is everything “rosy”? If you are interested in the answers, you have come to the right place. In today’s article, we will talk about the positive and negative effects that vacations have on our health
The complete disconnection that is generated by separating ourselves from our daily lives and having all the time for ourselves brings with it certain benefits that we will analyze below:
On vacation you have all the time in the world to do that activity, exercise or meet those friends that you never have time to see due to the day-to-day routine. The holidays They allow us to prioritize our fun and make us feel positive emotions and consequently, improve our mental health.
2. Increase motivation
Separating ourselves from the “loop” of everyday life allows us to disconnect in terms of the academic or work area. We rest, we do other activities and this is an ally to return full of energy and motivation.
3. Reduce stress
Vacations are clearly related to a decrease in stress level Resting, having fun, connecting with our loved ones and generally putting whatever we want to do during those days first definitely reduces cortisol in the blood.
4. Less sedentary lifestyle
As a general rule, when we get home from school, university or work, we are usually so tired that the only thing we feel like doing is sinking into the sofa to watch something on television or on our cell phone. During the vacation period, it is more pleasant to focus our attention on recreational activities, outings, walks, etc., instead of spending time lying on the couch or playing on our electronic devices.
Disadvantages of disconnection
There are also some disadvantages of the vacation stage that should be mentioned in order to be aware of them and thus be able to manage them properly. We list them below:
1. Lack of routine
The lack of having a calendar with schedules and routines makes us get used to it and consequently, returning to our daily tasks becomes extremely complicated Getting used to not having schedules and suddenly having to restructure everything is quite shocking and generates stress and even anxiety in many people.
The heat and feeling of loneliness can lead to a state of separation anxiety, depression or discouragement.
3. Post-vacation syndrome
This syndrome refers to a “post-vacation depression” that causes a psychological reactivity characterized by fatigue, disenchantment, inhibition, anhedonia, sadness general malaise, anxiety, social phobia, etc.
4. Resume “stand by”
Returning to routine means facing all the “stand by” that you had left before the holidays. This feeling of going back to everything again generates a lot of stress and anxiety in individuals. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between rest and returning to your routine during the holidays.
How does the holiday season affect families?
Family vacations can be very beneficial since they are a good excuse to strengthen family relationships and spend quality time with your loved ones. The vacation period is a positive experience when you increase free time and dedication to your children, playing and enjoying with them, facilitating other types of learning, improving communication, among other things. It is also a good time to strengthen the relationship as a couple, taking time to do activities and hobbies together.
On the other side of the coin, it also tends to become a source of frequent tension and conflict. We spend the year thinking about vacations and how good they are for us and consequently, we tend to idealize them. To such an extent that this idealization generates frustration, stress and even anxiety if what is desired is not fulfilled. On vacation, due to poor management of emotions, Misunderstandings and intra-family conflicts tend to increase
Furthermore, many times the extended family (grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc.) is included in the vacations, and this causes the intimacy of the family and the couple to disappear, prevents them from spending quality time with each other and therefore , negative emotions flourish.
In order to alleviate the conflicts that arise in families on vacation days, it is important that each member has their space to express their needs, intentions and desires without feeling judged. Always within a climate of understanding, it is vital that each individual communicate to avoid misunderstandings. It is also important to lower expectations and recognize that there will be better days and worse ones. Not every day can be idyllic. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is for all family members to disconnect, enjoy and be able to take a pleasant and peaceful vacation with them.
Furthermore, it must be understood that changing routines and schedules affects people’s mood and this can generate bad responses, bad faces, reproaches, fatigue, etc. leading to a feeling of frustration and conflict. And finally, of course you should avoid comparing the vacation period with that of other years or even with the vacations of other families. Each family unit deals with its problems and differences just as you deal with yours.
In short, keeping an open and flexible mind to possible changes, respecting the tastes of each family member and experiencing this stage as a challenge where you are carrying out a new and different project is the best way to face family vacations. Live in the moment and take advantage to grow both individually and collectively.
