Self-care Examples Include Vacation!

Feeling stressed? Self-care examples include vacation!

Here at Regular Girl Devos, we have been working hard on our self-care, learning new ways to improve our mental health. Let’s take a break with, well, another self-care tip: vacations are essential!

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling, from the Harvard School of Medicine, wrote, “Taking a break from the daily grind is not only a treat but a necessity for our mental health. Long-term stress can rewire our brain, leading to negative emotions like anxiety and depression. However, by stepping away from work and taking a vacation, our body can finally relax, and stress levels decrease.”

When we disconnect from our daily-life routines, our bodies recover from the pressures of stress and we feel refreshed and rejuvenated—a perfect self-care example.

But taking a break doesn’t require a lot of time or money. Studies show we can get the same benefits with regular weekend or even day trips. There are lasting benefits from going somewhere new and experiencing a new environment. We can find beautiful places nearby. We can step out of our comfort zone by experiencing a new restaurant with unusual foods. Destress by finding a B&B at the lake or other natural area and unplug.

Self-care examples include staycations too!

Another study found that staycations can have as much benefit as travel. In fact, for those of us who get stressed from travel, staycations are even better. 

The key is to get away from your routine as much as possible. If we are always on the go, sit still and spend a day reading. If we usually listen to rock or pop music, try listening to classical. Usually drink coffee? Try tea. Get the idea? Doing something completely different from our norm will trigger a break in the stress cycle and allow us to relax.

What would you enjoy most? A road trip or an adventure in another country? Finding a little place to put your toes in the sand and watch the waves roll in? Being surrounded by towering trees and mountain views?

Like Dr. Seuss wrote, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Psalm 121:8