School is out, the temperatures up, and it’s time to take off (work, that is!) Summer vacation: if you haven’t planned one yet, get to it. Doctor’s orders! Here are just a few ways in which a summer vacation actually benefits your health!

What Are The Top Health Benefits of Summer Vacation?

1. De-stress

The Japanese actually have a word for “death by overwork”. Karoshi, legally recognized as a cause of death in the 1980’s, has been on the rise ever since. Although this is THE EXTREME when it comes to work related illness and disease, it does help to remind us of the importance of balance in everything we do.

Time off means a decrease in stress! There is research to show that vacations can actually decrease physical symptoms associated with high stress, such as high blood pressure and high or chronically low cortisol levels. These stress-related changes have implications far beyond the occasional frazzled feeling. In fact, they are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Time away from work helps to prevent burnout, which for many individuals can lead to depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Worried about what your boss will think? Research also shows vacations make us more productive at work. Time away allows for new perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose upon return to work!

2. Fresh Air & More Exercise

Forget the elliptical for a week or two – use nature as your gym. Hiking, biking, swimming and more… not only will this variation in your normal workout routine rev up metabolism and serve as a catalyst for more efficient weight loss, but it may also help you to discover a new passion. Time and time again, we are told that the best way to stick to an exercise regimen is to find an activity (or many) we love. Here’s your opportunity.

Summer break with parents does not always mean more activity for the kiddies. Research has shown that many children are actually less active in the summer. This needs to change. Use a summer vacation to lead by example. Show your children that you can put down your cell phone, get off the computer, and miss your nightly TV shows. Plan a family hike, go swimming at the beach, or even spend a few days helping out at a local soccer camp. Modelling these healthy habits is the best way to encourage your kids to get and stay active – not just during vacation, but for life.

3. Sleeping In

What is one of the greatest things about summer vacation? We don’t have to get up and go to work! Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep we are getting and the amount of sleep we should be getting, and most of us are in the red. Short-term sleep deprivation leads to a foggy brain, worsened vision, impaired driving, and trouble remembering. Long-term effects include obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease. The good news is that with a little work we can catch up on sleep. Outside of holidays, we normally have weekends only to catch up on lost ZZZ’s, and it’s just not enough So tuck that alarm away for a week or two, go to bed when you are tired, and wake up when your body tells you to… and note how much better you feel!

4. Eating Healthier: More Fruit & Vegetables

Heading to the beach or camping this summer? Fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs make summer meals simple, affordable, and nutritious. Here are some seasonal favourites.

Berries - Berries offer fiber and antioxidants. These nutrients support heart health, blood sugar balance, and overall wellness.

Leafy Greens - Kale, spinach, swiss chard, and dandelion greens provide important nutrients. These greens contain vitamin K, calcium, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Leafy greens support bone, heart, and eye health. Salads also make easy, no-cook summer meals.

Watermelon - Watermelon provides lycopene, vitamin A, and vitamin C. These antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress. Traditional Chinese Medicine considers watermelon a cooling food.

Zucchini - Zucchini provides vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. These nutrients support heart, eye, and overall health.

Tomatoes - Tomatoes contain lycopene and beta-carotene. These compounds support cellular health and antioxidant defenses. Tomatoes also provide vitamin K for bone health.

Fresh Herbs - Fresh herbs add flavour and nutrients to meals. Parsley provides antioxidants and natural plant compounds for detoxification. Mint may help with digestive comfort, and cilantro and basil contain antioxidants

5. Increased Socialization

In elderly populations, lack of support or social ties is a major risk factor for cognitive decline and poor mental health issues. Social isolation has negative ramifications for our health, not only our mental/emotional health, either. There are even studies to suggest that loneliness can be tied to hardening of the arteries, inflammation and compromised immune defenses. We talked about the importance of a healthy relationship with activity and exercise; what about just a relationship… with the people we love? We live in a society that can and does conduct most of its business over the phone or Internet. Can you go a whole day in the workplace without a face-to-face interaction? When is the last time you spent an entire uninterrupted day with your family, completely cut off from your phone or email? If we allow it to, summer vacation can provide us with the real quality time we’ve been lacking – with friends and family… sharing old memories and making new ones.

The decision should not be whether to take summer vacation, but how you are going to make the most of the vacation you take! Enjoy!