June 2025 Blog: Airplanes, Adventures, And Endorphins
I am writing this after just returning from a trip overseas. I am happy to report that the entire experience was just exhilarating! From the moment I landed, the sense of pure excitement of being in this faraway land for the first time was quite palpable. Having a concentrated time to immerse myself in the language, traditions, and culture of the country was beyond amazing!
While I was away, I felt as though every day was a new adventure with so much to learn. From sampling the food to visiting ancient ruins, taking in majestic views of nature, and being in the place where history was made produced a feeling of awe and excitement that feels as if it would be hard to match.
Even when I returned home, the glow I felt stayed with me for quite a while.
The Evidence Is In
It turns out that the emotional high I experienced is not uncommon when traveling. Scientists and researchers have discovered numerous benefits that can be gained from traveling. Unfortunately, many Americans do not take advantage of the benefits of taking time off. Each year, over half of Americans leave nearly 800 million days of unused paid time off. Of this, a third forfeited paid time off.
The benefits of taking a vacation are quite real. In one study of 12,000 men at high risk of coronary heart disease. Those who took a vacation every year for nine years reduced their overall risk of death by about 20 percent and their risk of death from heart disease by as much as 30 percent.
In one study of 749 women who took vacation less than once every six years, they were eight times more likely to develop heart problems compared to those who went on vacation twice per year.
Research reveals a connection between the frequency of vacations and improvements in conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, a large waist circumference, low HDL (or “good” cholesterol), and high triglycerides. These increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Taking vacations over several years reduced the risk of these factors by nearly 25 percent.
Leisurely travel activities help alleviate chronic stress and support our immune system, which helps keep us healthy and may even slow down the aging process. Engaging in recreational activities, including travel, helps release tension and fatigue in muscles and joints, as well as the release of hormones conducive to tissue repair and regeneration, which helps organs and tissues remain healthy.
Potential new experiences, whether in a far-off land or much closer to home, promote the same release of these neurotransmitters as we get excited about shifting from default mode to one of anticipatory excitement.
Research has shown that taking vacations can lead to reduced stress levels, increased feelings of happiness, and a decrease in depression. This is due to the release of chemicals in our brains associated with well-being. When we review flight options, local and exotic restaurants, and compelling excursions, these wonderful chemicals are released, and we benefit long before the trip.
Another potential benefit is that taking a break and stepping back from your job or routine allows you to tune out external noise. By allowing yourself to unplug and reconnect with yourself on a deeper level, you can experience a sense of peace and reconnect with what truly brings you happiness.
The Benefits Continue After You Return
A vacation can help you return to work more focused and productive, allowing you to think more clearly. This benefits both the employee and the employer. A large accounting firm noted that for every additional ten hours of vacation time that employees take, their year-end performance improves by 8%. Employees who took vacations more frequently were less likely to leave their firm.
Whether you are employed or not, you can keep the benefits of vacation going long after you return home by doing things such as:
· Keep a travel journal or photo diary. Writing about or looking at highlights helps extend the joy.
· Share stories with friends and family. It helps solidify the memories and reinforces positive feelings.
· If you enjoyed daily walks, morning coffee on a terrace, or evening strolls on your holiday, incorporate similar routines into your home life.
· Try cooking a favorite meal you had on vacation or playing the music you listened to while away.
· Do not dive back into overcommitment. Schedule buffer time in your calendar for the first few days back.
· Block time for rest and reflection, just like you did during vacation.
· Plan your next mini adventure—even if it is local. Having something to look forward to keeps the brain in “exploration” mode.
· If you were walking, swimming, or biking on vacation, try to maintain that habit. Incorporate similar activities into your weekly routine.
· Often, on vacation, we hydrate more and eat fresher foods. Try to keep up those habits—add more fruits, vegetables, and water into your daily life.
· If you got great sleep on vacation, replicate the environment: reduce screen time before bed, keep your room dark and quiet, and follow a consistent sleep schedule.
· Create a “Vacation Mindset” Ritual: Choose one small habit from your trip (such as morning journaling, savoring tea slowly, or walking without your phone) and make it a part of your daily or weekly routine. This acts as a bridge between your vacation and your everyday life—reminding your mind and body that peace and balance are not reserved only for getaways.
Researchers conducted a series of experiments in which 441 workers were instructed to spend a typical spring weekend. In contrast, the other group was told to treat the weekend like a vacation.
When workers returned on Monday, those who spent the weekend like a vacation reported more happiness, less negativity, and more satisfaction with the weekend than the other group. The vacation group reported being more attentive to the present moment and being more mindful. The vacation group felt like they took a break and enjoyed their time off.
It was not the activities these people did, as they varied greatly, but the mindset they approached the weekend with.
You do not have to travel significant distances to reap these benefits. A staycation will save you travel costs and avoid the hassle of airports and packing. You can be a tourist in your own town, visiting places such as museums or restaurants you may never have seen. It can also be easier to connect with hobbies you enjoy, such as gardening, cooking, and reading.
A Final Word
In a world that often celebrates hustle and productivity, taking a vacation can feel like a luxury—but it is truly a necessity for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Stepping away from the daily grind gives us space to recharge, reconnect with ourselves and others, and return with renewed clarity and energy.
However, the true power of a vacation is not just in the time away—it is in how we carry its benefits forward. By embracing the slower pace, the sense of wonder, and the intentional moments of rest that vacations offer, we can weave those same elements into our everyday lives. Ultimately, the goal is not just to escape life but to return to it feeling more alive,
Vacations give us more than just a break – they restore our energy, shift our perspective, and remind us what it feels like to truly live. The real magic happens when we take the feelings home and let them shape how we move through the rest of our days.
In the words of journalist Earl Wilson,
“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking.”
So, in the spirit of practicing what I preach, I will be stepping away from the keyboard and taking a summer break myself. I will be recharging, exploring, and hopefully gathering a few good stories to bring back in the fall. See you then—rested, refreshed, and ready!
Until then, enjoy your own well-deserved breaks this summer.
