Ever wondered why you feel so much lighter after switching on that out of office reply? Removing yourself from your everyday environment and enforcing a physical separation from any stress or worries helps reduce rumination, which is that daily loop of (not always pleasant) mental chatter. 

There are no obligations to be found on a sun lounger, and reducing your body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone) is beneficial for your mind and physical health.

Studies have shown that chronic stress can cause the dreaded brain fog and taking breaks is crucial for cognition and productivity – so you’ll be reaping the benefits of that holiday for a long time. 

2024 travel tip: the peaceful Caribbean island of Aruba has been tipped as the destination to watch by the travel industry and the perfect place in which to soak up all the R&R, with its miles of white sand and crystal waters among the best beaches in the world. You can settle into the pace of island life with calming activities such as paddlesurf yoga and Aruban aloe vera body scrub-making workshops worth adding to your itinerary. Plus, British Airways now offers year-round direct flights between the UK and the island, for a stress-less travel experience. 

Not only does reduced stress on holiday quieten your mind and promote the conditions necessary for better sleep, but taking time away from your usual routine can also help you catch those Zs.

Stepping into unfamiliar territory on holiday can halt bad habits that may have been impacting your usual night-time routine, such as working overtime or doom scrolling mindlessly before bed.

Even a new environment – hello, king size bed – can help you escape negative slumber patterns and relearn better sleep hygiene for your return home. 

It’s been proven that spending at least 120 minutes a week in natural environments (such as parks, woodlands and beachy enclaves) promotes good health and wellbeing.

And when it feels like we live in a perma-state of vit D deficiency in the UK, the wellness benefits of getting abroad for a proper holiday are really stacking up.

2024 travel tip: the Arikok National Park in Aruba is the perfect trekking site after you’ve soaked up your dose of Vitamin Sea – an exploration of the area uncovers breath-taking caves, original Indian rock drawings and staggering land formations made from lava, quartz diorite and limestone. There are also 350km of bike trails that follow the north coast of the island, offering scenic views en route.

If you feel like you’re stagnating right now, a holiday could be just what the doctor ordered.

Research has suggested that the very act of adapting to new cultures may help facilitate creativity. Whether it’s making connections with new people or experiencing a new foodie scene, these situations stimulate the mind.

Holidays offer more opportunity than our day-to-day lives for experiencing moments of wonder, which can immeasurably boost mood and creativity.

Swapping slogging away in the gym for saltwater swimming is a no-brainer – and there are so many ways to make exercise more enjoyable on holiday.

Studies show that five minutes walking outdoors can reduce stress and increase your motivation to stay active - so the key is to lean into the kind of activities that don’t really feel like a workout, because they’ll bring a greater sense of fulfilment than traditional exercise.

2024 travel tip: the island of Aruba offers a whole range of water activities that won’t feel like exercise – sailing, snorkelling and water skiing in the crystal blue waters are favourites to experience. Aruba also welcomes the Hi-Winds windsurfing competition each year, the longest-running annual sporting event in the Caribbean, and the calm waters of Fisherman’s Huts make the event accessible for amateur athletes.