Recent research shows one in five people in Ireland do not take their fullannual leave entitlement.
Some people have doubts about whether taking time out will allow for fullpsychological detachmentfrom work, for example.
The fear that thoughts of work will invade our minds encourages many people to just keep working.
Another reason people do not take time off is because they do not expect tofeel relaxedwhile on holiday.
This may be due to their circumstances or choices made about how to spend time off.
In particular, family holidays may generate a lot of conflict, sometimes becoming evenmore stressful than work.
Its unsurprising then that staying on at work instead of taking time out may be tempting for many.
Alternatively, some people fear thefinancial consequencesof annual leave.
Holidays are expensive, especially for large families, leading many to forgo their leave entitlement to save money.
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These benefits are only temporary, with stress often climbing again shortly after returning to work.
As such, regular respites throughout the year can help achieve the accumulative benefits of annual leave on health.
Taking time out is also essential forparents, as their children gain immense benefits from spending more time together.
But you dont need expensive foreign holidays to enjoy annual leave.
Here are three vacationactivitiesthat can improve wellbeing, whether you are away or on a staycation:
1.
Practice relaxation
Relaxation can involve simplebreathing practicesthat can help reduce anxiety.
An alternative that can have similar benefits is to use meditation techniques such asmindfulness.
Engage your brain
Take time off as an opportunity to develop your interests.
If you love reading, plan to read a few books over the holiday.
Research shows these activitiessupport our mindsand our moods,regardless of age.
There are additional benefits if you help yourchildren enjoy booksover the summer.
These are just a few ideas.
