Why A Vacation Is The Perfect Cure For The Winter Blues

We’re now a week into the brand new decade! But don’t be surprised if you hear a few “Happy New Year” greetings continue to be doled out. Many people utter the wondrous welcome well into February. However, for many Canadians, 2020 hasn’t started out so wonderfully. Especially, here in the Greater Toronto Area, flu symptoms are rampant. This past holiday season was fraught with sneezing, coughing and runny noses.

Are you still trying to overcome the winter blues?

For most people, the winter blues are only just beginning. The holiday season is generally such a joyous time. So, it’s the combination of the post-holiday let down and the cold weather that often contributes to the flu-like feelings so many of us can’t avoid. Don’t assume that the whole concept of “winter blues” is a just a myth. It’s a reality known as seasonal affective disorder.

Also known by its entirely appropriate acronym, SAD, the disorder refers to the depression felt when the seasonal temperatures change from warm to cold. Traditionally, SAD kicks in as fall becomes winter right up until spring or early summer. Symptoms include zapped energy and feelings of moodiness. While treatments for SAD include everything from psychotherapy to a litany of prescription medications, there is a recommended cure that, quite honestly, can’t be beat.

A vacation is the ultimate cure for seasonal affective disorder.

On his website, Dr. Norman Rosenthal admits that, following the completion of a writing project, a vacation in the Bahamas was necessary for him to subdue his winter blues. “The moment I walked off the plane, I drank in the sun’s rays,” he details, “My eyes drank in the photons, and my brain turned them into pure high-octane serotonin or some other mood-sustaining chemical. Even my skin contributed to this heady brew of chemicals, converting the sun’s rays into beta-endorphin despite being smeared with a generous coat of sunblock.”

Vacationing, it should come as a surprise to no one, is one of the top choices for stress-relief by people from all walks of life. Going on vacation has proven mental health benefits, as affirmed by psychologist, Shannon Torberg on AllinaHealth.org. She reveals that neuroscientists have found that brain structure is altered by chronic exposure to the stress hormone, cortisol, which can be a major contributing factor to anxiety and depression.

“Feelings of calm arise from time away from work and relieve stress, which allows the body and mind to heal in ways that it couldn’t if it were still under pressure,” she writes.

Dr. Torberg also highlights the physical health benefits of taking a vacation. “Stress can contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure,” she notes, “For both men and women, the New York Times reported, taking a vacation every two years compared to every six will lessen the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks.”

How can Taitam Technology Vacations help to cure your winter blues?

With a Taitam vacation membership you have access to one of the most appealing vacation programs available. As a Member, you are connected with an extensive collection of resorts, properties and exciting experiences including ocean and river cruises, adventure travel, ecotourism and special guided and historical tours. And yet, there’s more to discover!

With just a few minutes of your time, one of our Vacation Advisors can provide you with information to guide you in acquiring a Taitam Membership plan. Please don’t hesitate to call Taitam Technology Vacations at 416-234-0202 today!