Traveling can sometimes pose risks: are you adequately prepared for your summer getaway?
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's not uncommon for people to arrive at their vacation spot feeling anything but relaxed and refreshed. However, with a few strategic steps, it's possible to manage stress and find inner balance during your time off.
Dr. med. Klaus Ebenburger, a vaccination expert from Amberg, emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation for a stress-free vacation. Vaccinations against hepatitis A and diarrhea-causing bacteria are always recommended when traveling to the Mediterranean.
To relieve stress and find inner balance, treating even a staycation as a true break is crucial. Commit to unplugging, create a loose itinerary with joyful experiences, and prioritize relaxation such as massages or visits to mineral hot springs. Incorporating wellness activities like yoga, hiking, or spa treatments that incorporate local healing traditions can nurture both body and mind, fostering calmness and positive wellbeing.
Active outdoor pursuits like cycling or water sports combine physical exercise and nature exposure, which help reduce tension by focusing your mind and improving physical health. For managing stress and anxiety directly, mindfulness meditation practiced regularly can interrupt the stress cycle by fostering awareness and calm responses. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing lowers heart rate and blood pressure to induce relaxation. Sensory grounding techniques, expressive journaling, and "earthing" by physically connecting with nature may also promote a comforting sense of stability.
It's recommended to take at least three weeks of vacation for lasting recovery. A change of scenery is important, but chasing bargains to tolerate an unfavorable climate is not beneficial. Those who have fought through work until the end may find suddenly shutting everything down dangerous due to their bodies being doped with their own cortisol. It's advisable to have a doctor-patient conversation beforehand to identify stressors and reduce them.
The first vacation day should not also be a travel day, whether by car or plane - a day or two to wind down is recommended. Keep in mind that a very long flight can strain the body and increase the risk of thrombosis, especially for women who smoke and take the pill.
Sources:
[1] Psychology Today. (n.d.). How to De-stress During Your Staycation. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201307/how-de-stress-during-your-staycation
[2] Healthline. (2019). 12 Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/relieve-stress-and-anxiety
[3] Mind. (2018). 5 ways to manage stress and anxiety. Retrieved from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/manage-your-stress-and-anxiety/5-ways-to-manage-stress-and-anxiety/
[4] HelpGuide. (2019). Deep Breathing. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/deep-breathing.htm
- To maintain mental health during vacation, consider incorporating mindfulness meditation into your daily routine, as suggested by Psychology Today.
- For a holistic approach to relaxation, engage in wellness activities such as yoga, hiking, spa treatments inspired by local healing traditions, as outlined by Healthline.
- To foster a sense of calmness and positive wellbeing, prioritize physical exercises like cycling or water sports, which offer the added benefit of nature exposure, as recommended by Mind.
- In addition to physical activities, deep, diaphragmatic breathing can induce relaxation, lower heart rate, and reduce stress, according to HelpGuide.
