Why are the holidays good for the brain?
Because the holidays are good for the brain? Because they slow down cognitive decline. But there is more. The mere thought of a vacation has a beneficial effect on our brain. This is the finding of an international study involving two major research centres, including the University of Vigo in Spain and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The ideal vacation They are a mixture of new experiences, long hours of doing nothing and even food rewards, without exaggeration of course.
It’s a little surprising that there are very few studies on the effects of vacations on the brain, although our experience tells us that a break and a relaxing moment has a significant positive effect on our mental abilities.
Why are the holidays good for the brain? It increases its flexibility
Researchers analyzed all available sites. The most important one dates back to 2016. This research looked at the activities of some workers employed in the Netherlands. The experts asked the workers involved to indicate what and how many uses they might have for specific work items such as hammers and various tools.
Workers who had enjoyed two or three weeks of vacation reported the greatest number of uses compared to those who had declared their vacation prior to departure. This was because their cognitive flexibility was significantly increased. Cognitive flexibility in particular is enhanced by vacation and the expectation to take it.
Inactivity allows the brain to regenerate
Another defining element is the reduction of chronic stresswho has clear symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty managing anger. Relaxing, being in nature, or just doing nothing helps the brain recover.
That’s why we shouldn’t think about work when we’re on vacationWe also do not respond to emails or phone calls related to our profession. Experts argue that this now widespread practice negates most of the beneficial effects of vacationing on the brain.
Benefits already when we think about vacation
As for the benefits associated with waiting for the holidays themselves, here the lion’s share is omitted dopamine. As many know, it is a crucial neurotransmitter for psychological well-being. Thinking about the holidays allows the body to release dopamine, increasing feelings of joy for the future.
Why are the holidays good for the brain? They slow down cognitive decline
Cognitive decline is a natural process that accompanies aging and affects a person’s mental abilities. This phenomenon leads to a gradual decrease in ability:
- Storage,
- Attention,
- Argumentation,
- Solve problems.
Cognitive decline is a natural process, but lifestyle can accelerate it
Importantly, cognitive decline is an integral part of the normal aging process and can vary from person to person. However, there are some lifestyles that can speed up this natural process.
- One of the main factors are bad habits such as lack of exercise,
- an unbalanced diet,
- excessive alcohol consumption,
- the smoke from cigarettes
- little intellectual stimulation.
Or slow it down
These behaviors can cause cognitive function to deteriorate more quickly and increase the risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Therefore, adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, maintaining active social relationships, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities can help maintain cognitive ability through the years.
