The Weird and Surprising Reasons Why Vacations Make Us Happy
With so many things on their plates, most often than not, entrepreneurs find themselves in a position where they decide whether to take that much-needed vacation or not. The idea of getting far from your desk to relax is tempting but makes you feel guilty at the same time.
The truth is, by not taking a break from your business, you are doing yourself a disservice.
As a solopreneur, I value and look forward to vacations. I admit to the fact that I love vacations, and I know everybody does - especially you. Vacations take your mind off of the stresses of work, opens up you up to new things, and may even boost your creativity.
Most of all, vacations make you a happier person. But exactly how do vacations help boost feelings of happiness? Here are weird and surprising ways.
Vitamin D and Sunshine
Did the doctor just order you a daily dose of sunshine? Exposing your bare skin to natural sunlight creates vitamin D. The process happens very quickly.
Vitamin D is an overlooked vitamin but does wonders for your mind and body. It regulates your mood and wards off depression by increasing your levels of serotonin - a happy hormone. No wonder why people in sunny beaches have more energy and vitality.
Sunlight also benefits your health in a way that it fights disease. Your chances of developing heart problems decrease and you're less likely to get the flu.
Office workers are vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency. In fact, a study from the University of Alberta reveals that 9 out of 10 office workers have insufficient levels of vitamin D. Spending time outdoors may be the simplest and most beneficial way to get sunshine, experience joy and a heightened sense of well-being!
Earthing or Grounding
What is earthing or grounding? It is the simple act of going barefoot or being in direct contact with the ground. It is scientific knowledge that the Earth's surface has a negative charge. Our modern lifestyle (exposure to electrical devices) makes our bodies more positively charged.
Here's a video that explains the concept of grounding:
DOWN TO EARTH from Big Picture Ranch on Vimeo.
Grounding helps you achieve a sense of balance. Being grounded to the earth has several benefits. It calms your mind and body, reduces inflammation, improves your sleep quality and speeds up your body's healing process.
Vacations are opportunities to practice grounding. For example, if you're on the beach, take off your shoes and sink your toes into the sand. In the park, sit or place your hands directly on the earth. You can even jog or run barefoot on your vacation mornings.
While you can practice earthing indoors, doing it in a natural environment maximizes the experience.
New Sights and Things to Try
Where's the excitement of going to a faraway destination if you have everything planned out? While plans are good to make, it's more wonderful to add in some mystery.
After all, humans like to try new things. Variety spices up your life. Realize that you live life only once and therefore deserve unique and engaging experiences.
Make the most out of your vacation by trying a new local cuisine or doing one thing that you had always wanted to do. Perhaps you'd like to experience skydiving, camping under the Northern Lights, or diving with the whale sharks.
Beautiful things happen when you pull yourself out of your routines once in a while. A routine can eventually make you feel bored and stuck. New things do not only create happiness, they also help you know yourself better - as a human and solopreneur. You become braver and more interesting.
Obligations and To-Do Lists Create Stress
A lot of professionals these days rely on to-do lists to get things done. While they can, in a way, remind you of your daily tasks, they cause stress and tension.
The problem with to-do lists is that they fail to recognize the difference between what's urgent and what's important. For example, you'll feel compelled to answer those emails because it's written on your to-do list instead of helping your kid prepare for school. To-do lists also fail to account for time.
At the end of the day, you'll be ruminating over the things you weren't able to check off.
An entrepreneur like you who's been working so hard to live the life you want, deserve a break. So go ahead and take that vacation. You'll come back happier, refreshed, and more ready to tackle challenges.