Family Vacations Spur Joy: Start Planning One Today!
When was the last time you went on a family vacation? Did it feel like a worthwhile expense or a pricey overindulgence?
If you often struggle to justify the cost of a vacation, you’re in luck.
We all know that family vacations spur joy, but there’s actually tons of research showing that vacations offer an even wider range of benefits, from reducing stress to boosting healthy brain development.
Want to find out more about how vacations can benefit your entire family for years to come?
Keep reading.
-
Vacations Create Happy Memories
Spending hundreds of dollars on a weekend break or a few days at a resort might seem pricey.
However, that’s not all you’re paying for.
Family vacations spur joy because they’re so memorable – it’s very rare to forget what happened during a vacation, while it’s easy for everyday memories to get lost over time.
Creating happy memories with the entire family present is really valuable, as it gives you something positive to refer back to during difficult times.
Next time you’re arguing with your partner, yelling at your kids to finish their chores, or stressing about money, you’ll be able to think back to a happier time, which helps you to keep going when things are tough.
If you don’t take time to create these positive memories, it’s hard to truly appreciate your family and value the time you spend with them.
-
Vacations Reduce Family Stress
Did you think you were the only one feeling stressed?
Nope – stress can affect kids just as much as adults, and having a break from the usual pressures of life is important for the entire family.
With schoolwork, weekend jobs, and extra-curricular activities becoming more demanding than ever, having some time away to relax is really beneficial for kids.
They’ll be able to focus on playing, exploring, learning, and just having fun!
Seeing you feeling less stressed should also help to put your little ones at ease, which will make you feel even better – it’s a win-win.
- You May Like – Top 10 Most Beautiful Countries in the World
-
Vacations Increase Kids’ Confidence
Do your kids enjoy trying new things and chatting with new people, or do they shy away from the unfamiliar?
Travelling to a new place is a great way to gently boost your kids’ confidence, without the usual pressures of everyday life.
You could explore a new location together, encourage them to take a swimming class, or help them to make friends with other families.
After a week of tackling new challenges, your child should be much more confident in their regular life.
There’s no need to push kids too far – simply being in a new place helps show them that they can adapt to different situations, which is valuable throughout life.
Even if your kids are already pretty confident, there’s always room to add an extra challenge. You could visit an adventure park, a climbing wall, or a ski slope!
Seeing your kids succeed at new activities should also make you feel more confident about their ability to be independent, which is essential to a healthy family dynamic.
- Also Read – Top 10 Best Places to Visit When In Australia
-
Vacations Boost Brain Development
We all know that family vacations spur joy – but did you know that they can literally help your child’s brain develop faster?
When your child spends time in a new place, the PLAY and SEEKING areas of the brain are activated, helping to boost development and prepare them for life as they grow up.
So, next time you explore a rock pool together, build a sandcastle or climb a tree, know that you’re helping keep your child’s brain healthy.
If your child doesn’t get enough chance to play and explore during their early life, you might notice that they reach important developmental milestones more slowly.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your child some really valuable new experiences. Even traveling to a new town an hour or two away is enough to provide plenty of adventures.
For the biggest boost, be sure to fully engage with your child when playing, give them the freedom to use their imagination, and let them explore independently when it’s safe to do so.
-
Learn New Skills Together
Vacations aren’t all about relaxing on the beach – they’re also a great chance for the entire family to learn new skills.
Depending on where you’re traveling to, you could try your hand at:
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Surfing
- Rock climbing
- Snowboarding
- Skiing
You can even invest in cool gadgets to use while you experiment with new activities, like underwater headphones.
If you don’t fancy anything too adrenaline-packed, try looking into local arts and crafts clubs, cooking classes, or book readings. When you look hard enough, you’re sure to find something for everyone.
If you pick up a new skill or hobby that you really love, you could carry it on back home, giving you a little taste of your vacation every single week.
- You May Like – Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities in the USA
-
Spend More Time in Nature
What are your kids doing right now? Staring at screens?
And so are you, since you’re reading this article online!
Getting a break from technology and spending some time in nature is really important for the whole family, and vacations offer the perfect escape.
You could enjoy long walks on the beach, adventurous hikes through the forest, or fun days playing out in the snow.
Even if you’re planning a city break, there’s a good chance you’ll find some pretty parks that are perfect for family outings.
Spending time in nature helps to reduce stress and boost the immune system, so it’s great for your health and well being.
- Related – Top 10 Best National Parks in the World
How Do Family Vacations Spur Joy?
Family vacations spur joy by allowing you to create happy memories that you’ll hold onto forever, even during difficult times.
They offer you the chance to really connect with the rest of the family, have fun learning new skills together, and spend some time away from technology.
Kids who go on regular vacations will be healthier, happier, more confident, and more likely to develop at a healthy pace.
Ready to get some inspiration for your next trip? Check out the travel section of our blog.
