IF WE WERE to tell you that taking a holiday is good for your mental health, we wouldn’t expect you to be too surprised. A few days away from the workplace to do absolutely whatever you want, with no deadlines, commutes or tyrannical bosses? Yeah, that probably would make anyone fairly happy.
The wellbeing benefits aren’t limited to the holiday itself, however, as new research has shown. Having a holiday on the horizon is apparently a powerful tool for improving mental health and wellbeing. And don’t we need it, with the data showing a staggering 78% of Australians say they need something to look forward to now more than ever. What’s more, 87% of Australians feel happier, 69% more confident, and 59% more productive in their personal lives when they have a holiday to anticipate. Seventy-five per cent of Aussies also agree that booking a holiday reduces stress.
According to wellness advocate Dr. Gina Cleo, the anticipation of a holiday, or what she calls the ‘pre-holiday glow’, plays a significant role in boosting mental health. “Having a trip to look forward to is proven to boost mood and overall wellbeing. Anticipation of a holiday triggers the release of dopamine, which makes us feel more joyful. Advanced planning also helps to reduce our stress hormone, cortisol.”
There is a way of optimising the benefits of booking a holiday too, as Dr. Cleo says that booking six months in advance is the sweet spot. “This time frame between booking and going on holiday allows for a healthy level of anticipation,” she says. “It eliminates planning-related stress so we can focus on all the positives a holiday can bring.”
So, where to go on this mental health-boosting holiday, you ask? Well, as far as we can tell from the data, the location of the holiday doesn’t really matter, so long as you’re booking it early and have something to look forward to. Although, there are a few standout options, like a voyage on a Carnival Cruises vessel, for example.
Carnival Splendor, one of the premier ships in the Carnival Cruises fleet, recently sailed into Sydney after a transformative dry dock in Singapore, with an array of new features in tow. Men’s Health was on deck for a tour of the upgraded ship to soak in all the modifications. Updates include enhanced dining venues like Mad Sizzle and the expanded Masala Tiger, as well as refreshed staterooms, whirlpool tubs in suites and refurbished amenities.
The onboard Carnival WaterWorks waterpark has been revamped – always the best part of a cruise, in our opinion – along with a new-look mini-golf course and upgraded gym facilities, because gains don’t have to be put on hold while you’re on holiday.
Ultimately, we can’t guarantee that booking a holiday will improve your mental health – but the data is certainly in favour of such an occurrence. Besides, on board a ship like the Carnival Splendor, it’s difficult not to be happy.
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