Vacation and Meditation: What The Two Have In Common

So lately you've been feeling a tremendous amount of stress. Work has been piling up and your home’s a mess. You haven’t been able to get your hair done in months, and what’s worse, your loved ones can sense your newly developed temperament. Your responses are shorter than usual, you’re easily annoyed, and any time left during your day, you prefer to spend it alone, away from the world or anyone else. It’s clear you need a break. You’ve been given two options: begin a 15 minutes a day meditation practice, or go on a luxury beach vacation at a 5-star hotel? Well, the commonly known benefits or even appeal of one over the other are quite obvious, especially if you enjoy the heat. Escaping to the beach to relax, listening to the sounds of waves trickling onto the shores of white covered sand can feel like the perfect getaway. While, vacations are often viewed as the ideal way to rejuvenate and refresh, similar feelings can be achieved by adopting a regular meditation practice, producing longer-lasting effects. 

A 2020 research study in the Journal of Positive Psychology, examined and compared the impact of 15-minutes mediation versus a vacation on the mind, and the results were enlightening. It was found that both have similar effects to relieving stress, improving quality of life and increased well-being and positive outcomes. To study the two, researchers brought together a group of individuals for an 8 week study. Group 1 participants were asked to meditate for 15 minutes a day in addition to other wellness and mindfulness activities. The second, vacationed, engaging in no work or pre-planned activity during the time. The study found that those who mediated had an increase in mindfulness effects (such a relaxation, less ruminating thoughts, life satisfaction) that lasted even a month after the study finished. While both activities reduced depression symptoms and decreased stress; the effects of a vacation had a stronger impact in the moment, but the impact lasted for a shorter period of time. 

This study is a great basis for understanding the importance of intentional rest, but even more so, how a daily meditation practice can help you manage stress, and negative emotions on an ongoing basis. Vacations often require months of pre-planning; and depending on the type can be expensive. To experience the on-going benefits of a vacation, you have to actually be on vacation itself, often creating a desire to take multiple vacations throughout the year. Of course, none of which are necessarily bad, that is, if you have the time and money to pay for your travels or time off. But a much more cost-effective option that neither requires the level of pre-planning or relocation would be to build a regular meditation practice.  

So, what should this meditation practice be like? Meditation is a form of a mindfulness practice that requires you to quiet your thoughts by focusing on an object or phrase or even by simply sitting in silence, while doing deep breathing exercises. The practice of meditation exists within many religious, most notably in Buddhism and Hinduism, but also very much apart of Christianity, Islam and Judaism in their own individual forms. Mainstream forms of mediation practices that aren’t religious based include instrumental or meditation music, guided talks and breath work. Meditation can also be done in the form of mindfulness activities like art, knitting, journalling and even walking. Developing your own meditation practice is a deeply personal experience, one that should feel right for you and what you’re trying to achieve.

So, the next time you are craving your next vacation, think about what you’re looking to get out of the trip or time off. While vacations can and should be apart of a regular wellness routine, daily maintenance of the mind through a mediation or mindfulness practice can also help deliver similar, longer-term results that lead to a higher quality life and increase your ability to overcome life’s challenges.