Chances are you have a tough job or jobs and you’ve overworked yourself more than once. This stems from having too much to do and not enough time to do it. The more we work, the more important it is to take a break, despite feeling as though vacations will just put us behind. The following is a list of activities to improve your mental health while on vacation.

1. Fishing. Many avid fishermen will tell you that there’s nothing more relaxing than heading out for a fishing trip. In an article from freewatersalaska.org, they have a long list of the mental health benefits of fishing, including how fishing can be meditative, encourages independent thought, and gives you great satisfaction when you’re able to catch something. Plan a fishing trip by yourself if you need some time alone, or take your family along to get some quality time together.

2. Activities with your dog. If you’re not fond of the idea of leaving your dog behind when you go on vacation, why not take him with you? Dogs are known to improve mental health, and they’re great companions, especially when you’re traveling by yourself. When you bring your dog with you on your trip, you guarantee that he’s being taken care of properly, and in most cases, you’ll save money not having to have someone at home to watch him. Thespruce.com features a pro and con list for bringing your pet along on your vacation as well as a very helpful etiquette list, if you do bring your dog along. Bringing your pet along will make the trip that much more enjoyable for you both.

3. Read a book. Of course while you’re on your vacation, you’ll want to take in the sights and sounds, but if you don’t often get the opportunity to read, doing so is a great idea. Realsimple.com has a list of eight scientifically proven ways that reading improves mental health. Reading increases intelligence and helps you relax, which is just what you should be striving for while on your vacation.

4. Get out of your daily routine and do nothing. One of the top reasons that people decide to take their vacation days off from work is to get away from the stresses of their daily life. Whether you’re overworking yourself, suffering from something more serious like addiction, or are simply in need of a break from your repetitive daily routine, doing nothing can actually be extremely beneficial to your mental health. The more things that we try to cram into each day, the more overexerted our brains become. Shutting off once in awhile is an essential part of keeping your brain happy and healthy.

For those recovering from addiction, taking a vacation is a great way to start working toward sobriety, but if you plan too many activities, it may become overwhelming. Plan ahead, and if you decide to go out for a few activities, make sure to give yourself plenty of downtime in between to cool off. For others who simply need a break from work and things going on at home, turn off your devices and spend some time by yourself. Meditation is a great way to relax and let all your stresses melt away.

Even if you’re not one to use all those vacation days, reconsider if for no other reason than to gain the real mental health benefits of taking time off. You deserve a chance to shut off, wind down, and regroup so you can go back to work energized. Consider doing some of these activities on your next vacation to get the most out of your time off and work toward improving your mental health.

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