Psychological effects of the vacation stage

The holidays are a period eagerly awaited by a large part of the population, especially those who are active during the rest of the year both academically and professionally. The vacation stage represents a few days where we can get away from the established routine and enjoy of time to carry out activities that are more difficult to carry out during the year.

There is evidence that supports the importance of these days out of routine for our physical, mental and social health. In fact, it is known that vacations are necessary to alleviate the fatigue and health of workers. Going a step further, vacations are positive for the worker and also for the company, since it helps to reduce the work stress of its employees.

The fun and beautiful part of the holidays is more than portrayed and we all listen year after year to the desire that most of the people around us have for those days to arrive. However, what psychological effects does the vacation stage bring? Is everything "pink"? If you are interested in the answers, you have come to the right place. In today's article, we will talk about

the positive and negative effects that vacations have on our health.

• Related article: "Psychologically healthy daily habits, and how to apply them to your life"

Benefits of vacation disconnection

The complete disconnection that is generated by separating ourselves from our daily lives and having all the time for ourselves brings certain benefits that we will analyze below:

1. More time to have fun

On vacation you have all the time in the world to do that activity, exercise or meet those friends you never have time to see due to the day-to-day routine. The holidays they allow us to prioritize our fun and make us feel positive emotions and therefore improve our mental health.

2. Increases motivation

Separating ourselves from the "loop" of every day, means that we can disconnect in terms of the academic or work area. We rest, we do other activities and this is an ally to come back full of energy and motivation.

3. Reduce stress

Holidays are clearly related to a decrease in stress level. Resting, having fun, connecting with our loved ones and, in general, putting anything we want to do during those days first, definitely reduces cortisol in the blood.

4. Less sedentary

As a general rule, when we get home from school, university or work, we are usually so tired that the only thing we feel like is sinking into the sofa to watch something on television or on our mobile. During the holiday season, it is more pleasant to focus attention on recreational activities, in outings, walks, etc., instead of investing moments lying on the sofa or playing on our devices electronics.

• You may be interested in: "Sedentary lifestyle causes changes in the brain"

Disadvantages of disconnection

There are also some disadvantages of the vacation stage that should be mentioned in order to be aware of them and thus be able to manage them properly. We list them below:

1. lack of routine

The lack of having a calendar with schedules and routines makes us get used to it and therefore, returning to our daily tasks becomes extremely complicated. Getting used to not having schedules and suddenly having to restructure everything is quite shocking and generates stress and even anxiety in many people.

2. Decay associated with loneliness

The heat and the feeling of loneliness can lead to a state of separation anxiety, depression or discouragement.

3. Postvacational syndrome

This syndrome refers to a "post-vacation depression" that brings a psychological reactivity characterized by tiredness, disappointment, inhibition, anhedonia, sadness, malaise, anxiety, social phobia, etc.

4. Resume the "stand by"

The return to the routine entails dealing with all the "stand by" that you had left before the holidays. This feeling of taking everything back again generates a lot of stress and anxiety in individuals. For this reason, it is important to find a balance between rest and a return to routine during the holidays.

How does the holiday season affect families?

Family vacations can be very beneficial as they are a good excuse to strengthen family relationships and spend quality time with your loved ones. The vacation stage is a positive experience when you increase your free time and dedication to your children, playing and enjoying with them, facilitating other types of learning, improving communication, among others things. It is also a good time to strengthen the relationship as a couple, taking time to do activities and hobbies together.

On the other side of the coin, it also tends to become a source of frequent tension and conflict. We spend the year thinking about the holidays and how good they do us and therefore, we tend to idealize them. To such an extent that this idealization generates frustration, stress and even anxiety if what is desired is not met. On vacation, due to mismanagement of emotions, often increase misunderstandings and intrafamily conflicts.

In addition, many times the extended family (grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc.) is included in the holidays, and this makes the privacy of the family and partner disappear, prevents them from spending quality time with each other and therefore negative emotions they bloom.

In order to alleviate the conflicts that arise in families on vacation days, it is important that each member has their space to be able to express their needs, intentions and desires without feeling court. Always within a climate of understanding, it is vital that each individual communicate to avoid misunderstandings. It is also important to lower expectations and recognize that there will be better days and worse. Not every day can be idyllic. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is for all family members to disconnect, enjoy and be able to remember a pleasant and peaceful vacation.

In addition, it must be understood that the change in routines and schedules affects the mood of people and this can generate bad answers, bad faces, reproaches, fatigue, etc. that lead to a sense of frustration and conflict. And finally, of course, you should avoid comparing the vacation period with that of other years or even with the vacations of other families. Each family unit deals with its problems and its differences just like you do with yours.

In short, keeping an open mind and flexible to possible changes, respecting the tastes of each member of the family and living this stage as a challenge where you are carrying out a new and different project is the best way to face the holidays in family. Live in the moment and take the opportunity to grow both individually and collectively.