If you think the primary benefit of a vacation is relaxation, think again. Not only do vacations offer individuals relaxation, but they can also help improve your decision making skills. Experts say that a vacation helps with stress reduction because you get away from your daily grind. And because you are in an unfamiliar environment, a vacation helps clear your mind, resulting in a more productive decision making process.
Scientific studies show that getting advice from friends and family can be more beneficial than taking your own advice. This is because they are more psychologically detached from the situation. Similarly, taking a vacation can give you a new perspective on a situation due to a more relaxed state and unfamiliar environment. Thus allowing an “outsiders view” on your dilemma or decision.
Immersing yourself in a new culture and unfamiliar place can also boost your creative thinking. Adam Galinsky, a professor with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, says that his studies have shown people who study abroad have a better understanding of themselves. Experts recommend being mindful of your new surroundings while you travel and notice the differences between your culture and the one you are experiencing.
Add a fresh perspective to your life and plan a trip abroad! If you don’t have the time or money to travel very far, take a trip stateside to a place you have never been. Either way, it will have a positive effect on your mental state.