Why is it important to go on vacation with your family? 

As a busy family taking a vacation can help refocus your energy, bond your family and reap the psychological benefits of travel.   Many different fields of science have proven that a family vacation has incredible benefits for your health.

When I looked into the psychology of vacation and the mental health benefits of vacation, I found studies from a variety of scientific fields all pointing the same direction.

Taking a family vacation is good for the mental and physical health of each person and the family as a whole.

I learned the hard way that cutting vacation could be disastrous for your family.  During a really difficult time in our family, we stopped traveling together.

We thought family trips were too stressful and expensive. But guess what.

We found out that family vacation was the glue that held our family together. Dissolving that glue had negative consequences.

The aha moment was when we were talking about the things we enjoyed doing as a family. And …. drum roll…. everything on the list involved travel or happened on family vacations.

Aha!! Travel became a priority in our family. We didn’t understand the science behind it but we couldn’t deny the benefits of  a family vacation.

Science has already proven why family vacation is good for your health.

Studies point to the direct benefits of vacation for your health.

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, found, that men with regular annual vacations had a lower risk of death in the 9-year study than those who did not take a vacation. In fact, they were 32 percent less likely to die from heart disease.

The Framingham Heart Study compared the data about people who took a vacation at least twice a year and those who didn’t take a vacation for several years. The women who didn’t take vacations were 8 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease or have a heart attack.

Yikes – moms make sure you are getting your R&R!

Studies at the Marshfield Clinic and the University of Pittsburg’s Mind and Body Center concluded taking vacations contributed to better mental health and positive emotional levels and less depression.

Worried about lost time at work?

An internal study at Ernst & Young found that for each additional 10 hours of vacation employees took, their year-end performance ratings improved 8 percent.

Boston Consulting Group reported that of high-level professionals, those who took vacation time were significantly more productive than employees who spent more time in the office.

Psychology of Vacation

The psychological benefits of family vacations have as much to do with alleviating the negative impacts of stress as the continued enjoyment of the vacation.

Vacation Alleviates Stress

Chronic stress wreaks havoc on our mental and physical health. When you in a stressful situation, your brain releases chemicals called Adrenaline, Cortisol, Norepinephrine

Adrenaline (epinephrine ) and norepinephrine give you an immediate reaction or burst of energy, also called the fight or flight response. Your heart rate increases and breathing patterns quicken. You have more energy, become stronger, and have increased focus.

You think of the story of a mom lifting a car off a child with super-human strength.

Cortisol is another stress hormone that maintains your blood pressure regulated glucose in the blood. In an emergency or dangerous situation, it down-regulates non-essential body functions to support functions needed for flight or flight.

Immunity, digestion, and growth can wait a few moments in an emergency.

Short term emergencies that require emirate action are different than daily stressors. Chronic stress is a problem when these hormones are continuously released causing you to be in permanent survival mode.

How Does Vacation Relieve Stress?  

The answer is in the happy chemicals that are released in your body. 

The antidote to the damage caused by stressful situations is relaxing and fun times that help you enjoy the happy chemicals.

Your brain, in all its brilliance, releases chemicals responsible for happy feelings.

These happy chemicals are oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is the love hormone.  It creates intimacy and the feeling of love from physical touch. You know that blissful feeling when holding your newborn baby or cuddling your kids on the beach.

Neuroeconomist, Paul Zak, believes oxytocin is responsible for trust, empathy, and wellbeing.

Serotonin

Serotonin is is another important chemical and neurotransmitter because it contributes to happiness, well-being and helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. There is a link between low serotonin and depression.

So, to ward off depression, let the serotonin flow with fun times on your family trip.

Even the anticipation of laughter or recalling fun times increases serotonin and reduces stress. So just planning a family vacation or fun times together is good for your health!

Dopamine

Dopamine is another neurotransmitter that is related to positive feelings and productivity. It motivates us to take action towards goals and reinforces us when reaching them.

On the other hand, procrastination, anxiety, and depression are linked to low levels of dopamine.

Researchers say the feel-good chemical, dopamine, is released when we have done fun things and have positive experiences together. The brain is rewarded by creating a sense of euphoria or the high you feel on vacation

Due to dopamine and serotonin release, the benefits of vacation together include improved immune functioning, stress relief, increased tolerance for pain, improved cardiovascular health, reduced anxiety, and improved mood.

Endorphins

Endorphins are feel-good neurotransmitters released by the brain in repose to pain or extreme exhaustion. They help you feel amazing (the runner’s high) and alleviate anxiety and depression.

Both looking forward to and reminiscing about a family trip together releases endorphins.

In fact, some research indicates, that the anticipation of an upcoming vacation can be more exciting than being on the trip itself.

Experiencing fun times together releases the powerhouse of happy chemicals and stops the release of other stress chemicals.

This is why, according to science, a family vacation is good for your health and wellness.

So yes, Doctors’ orders are to start planning a family trip!

Read More from Family Travel Fever about vacations:

• 60 inspirational family travel quotes
• Secrets to stress-free holiday travel
• Conquer your family vacation anxiety
• How to plan an unforgettable family vacation (with planning template)  

Once you start planning the benefit is immediate and long-lasting. Your investment in a family vacation will have metnal health benefits for as long as you sit around and reminisce about the fun times you had together.

Convinced? Where are you planning on going with your family?