5 Health Reasons Moms Should Book A Vacation Now!

Planning a vacation, when you are busy being a mom, may seem selfish or practically impossible, but studies have shown that time away on a vacation can improve a person's overall health and well-being significantly. It is important, that as a mom, you try to maintain some semblance of balance in your life. Taking care of everyone else and neglecting YOU, can have serious health, social and emotional/psychological repercussions. Self-care isn't selfish, it is neccessary. You can only be the best possible mom you can be if you are healthy and happy. That's why vacations with your significant other or preferably alone are a great way to truly unwind and focus on "self". Here's why:

1. Relieves Stress

Mommy life is a non-stop, round-the-clock job. We go to work, we get the kids ready for school, we cook and clean, plan play dates and even find the time to do our side hustle. That's why, breaking up your daily and sometimes monotonous routine can really be a huge stress reliever. Several studies done on the effects of vacation and overall well-being has shown that positive vacations do improve overall health and happinness and can last weeks after. A study done by the American Psychological Association showed that vacations do relieve stress because it removes persons from activities and environments that they relate to as being "stressful". Taking a much needed vacation will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and ready to take on your usual activities with a more postive outlook and a refreshed feeling and perspective. 

2. Better Sleep

If you are a mom like me who sometimes experiences sleep issues, then you will want to hear this. A vacation can help you reset your sleep pattern by eliminating interruptive sleep habits like working late or watching a computer screen or tv before going to bed. With these sleep inhibitors nowhere near your vacation, you can finally tune out everything. Being on vacation can help you turn your mind off and release tentions and anxiety which will in turn reinforce better sleep.

3. Increases Productivity

Studies have shown, that with more postivie vacations there is an increase in the overall quality of life. You will find yourself better able to focus, more creative and in turn better able to produce higher quality of work on the job and even at home. Productivty leads to happinness and when you are happy you are better at what you do. Even your mood will improve.

4. Decreases Chances for Heart Disease

Medical studies have shown that women are more likely than men to suffer with cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks. This phenomenon is closely connected to women suffering from higher levels of stress and depression. According to a feature story by Inc.com, women who took a vacation once every six years or less were almost eight times more likely to develop heart disease, have a heart attack, or die of a coronary-related cause than those who took at least two vacations a year. These statistics are not to scare you but to persuade you that time off is important to your health in the long run.

5. Improves Mental Health

A study conducted by the Wisconsin Medical Journal studied the effects of vacation on mental health in women and found that those women who took more vacations frequently were found to be less trense, less prone to depression, and more satisfied with their marriage. Moms who go on vacation can engage in "health promoting behaviors"  and allows time for tension release, personal involvement and much needed sleep and rest, all of which carry over into your overall quality of life. 

Consider a mommy retreat where you can relax and unwind with other like-minded moms and be inspired to live your best life!