How to Give Your Mind and Body a Vacation Without Traveling
With the holidays fast approaching, many of us have vacation on the brain. Many of us look forward to taking a vacation so we can truly relax, but there never seems to be enough time, resources, or opportunities for travel. Also, not everyone can take a week off work and hop on a plane. Why wait for the holidays to roll around to get the many mental health benefits of time off? Taking a break from everyday life has a variety of benefits. It can help your overall wellness and well-being by reducing stress, lowering stress hormones, decrease the risk of heart disease, boost creativity and engagement, and decrease burnout.
You can still reap the benefits of a vacation without getting on a plane, traveling outside of your state, or breaking the bank. Think of the key elements that we enjoy and experience while on vacation and look at incorporating some of these things into your day-to-day lives right now. That means you must intentionally put practices in place to engage your mind in new and different ways. When we encounter new experiences, ranging from smells to foods to places, our brain is stimulated in a different way. Look for simple activities, places, and foods to try to keep your brain stimulated in new ways. This activity can theoretically adjust the way we think. Here are some ways to relax and take a local mental health vacation!
1. Unplug Your Devices
Instead of staring at your screen and waiting for the next email or text message to come in, take in your surroundings, no matter where you are.
2. Try a Digital Detox
Although stepping away from the computer and putting your phone away can be quite challenging, it can be highly beneficial to unplug completely and try a digital detox. Your brain needs to experience different kinds of rest for optimal health. This can range from reading to exercising. Essentially, taking a break from the activity you spend most of your time doing can be considered restful for your brain.
3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
When we travel, we’re often forced to get out of our comfort zone by putting ourselves in places we’re not familiar with, so why not try something totally new? You can try to learn a new language, go to a restaurant that has a type of food you’ve never tried, order something on the menu that’s completely out of the ordinary and new, and/or strike up a conversation with a stranger at a coffee shop.
4. Lighten Your Workload Beforehand
Try to get as much done as possible before you head out on “vacation,” so you won’t have to spend your free time dreading playing catch-up when you return to work. It’s worth it to work a little bit harder and longer before your time off so you don’t have to think about it as much during your break.
5. Explore Somewhere New
You don’t have to go far to see someplace new. Ask friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Just because a new spot isn’t in a faraway land doesn’t have to make it less exciting. You just may find a new favorite spot.
6. Treat Yourself
When you’re on vacation, you’re more likely to spoil yourself. It could be something as simple as sleeping in an extra hour or making reservations at a nice restaurant.
7. Nap
Napping can feel so luxurious, and there’s certainly no reason why you can’t take one at home. A quick 20-minute power nap can leave you feeling recharged and relaxed, and ready to face the rest of the day.
8. Listen to Music
Music can energize you and it can also relax you depending on the songs you play. If you’re in need of some relaxation, pick some soothing songs. You might also want to choose some island or calypso music to transport you to a favorite time and place. The sounds will help calm the activity in your brain. Close your eyes and lose yourself in the music, even if it’s just for one song.
9. Enjoy a Fabulous Meal
Half the fun of going to a different country is learning about the culture through the cuisine. So be an explorer in your own city. Try a new restaurant or revisit a favorite familiar one. What’s not relaxing about having someone wait on you and bring you a meal with no cleanup involved?
10. Laugh
Doesn’t laughter seem to flow whenever you’re on vacation? It can be because you’re relaxed and not quite as stressed and serious. Laughter can reduce blood pressure, boost your immune system, and help create better connections with others.
Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We offer in-person and online remote therapy sessions. Contact us today to change the way you feel.