Holidays are taken for a whole host of reasons, but ask most people and they will tell you that reduced stress is one of their main criteria. They’ve been working hard all year and just want to get away from it all to blow off a little steam or just forget about it all for a couple of weeks whilst sipping martinis around a pool. It doesn’t often enter people minds however, just how the holidays are helping and by how much? Here we take a closer look at why exactly vacations can sometimes be what your body is crying out for.

Sun. Considered a healer even by earliest man, the sun continues to benefit our health in many ways. There are some real medical advantages to being in the sun, aside from the more behavioural ones such as being able to swim outside or relax and read a book without have to wear four layers of clothing. The eyes are very sensitive to light levels and if there is not enough of it around, they will trigger the body to release melatonin in to the blood stream. This makes us feel tired, lethargic and sleepy. When the sun is beaming however, when you’re enjoing hot Canada holidays for example, the eyes take in a lot of light, less melatonin is produced and we feel more energized, happy and less stressed.

Worry less. When we worry or are anxious about things like work, money, relationships etc, there is a chemical chain reaction in the body. High levels of cortisol and epinephrine flow around the body after the hypothalamus tells the adrenal glands it is needed. This then increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and a whole host of other bodily functions. If these go on working overtime for any great period then there can be harm done to the body at almost every level. By going on new and fun trips like fun Orlando holidays in Disney Land or maybe beach based American holidays, you’ll get some time away from your problems, get some distractions, and give your body a chance to rest. This ‘break from stress’ effect of holidays is actually underrated and it is now being included in the suggestions of medical experts all over the county.