Family First

Family First Can A Vacation Save Your Life?

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(BPT) - If you've ever wondered whether there are benefits to taking a vacation or traveling, there is good news. Research shows that vacations can help you live longer and improve your mental and physical health. According to a 2016 Harvard study, when travelers planned out their vacations at least a month in advance, traveled far from work and met new people, there was a 94% improvement in energy and outlook when they returned to work. Conversely, the study also found that poorly planned and stressful vacations have the opposite effect. They will eliminate the benefits of a vacation. Beyond the mental health benefits of travel and vacations, another study found clear health benefits to taking a vacation. In fact, men who took less than three weeks of vacation time annually had a 37% greater chance of dying than those who took more than three weeks. But not all vacations are created equal. The vacation experts at Hilton Grand Vacations, a vacation ownership company, offer these six smart ways to maximize your time away. 1. Go with people you love. Numerous studies point to the health benefits of having a strong social support network, and a vacation can be a great way to nurture and strengthen those relationships. According to the Mayo Clinic, social support can improve the ability to cope with stressful situations, alleviate emotional distress, enhance self-esteem and lower heart attack risk factors such as high blood pressure. "To give yourself the flexibility to expand your social circle, stay somewhere with enough space to accommodate extra people so you can invite friends or family to join you," recommends Kian Conley, with Hilton Grand Vacations. "With vacation ownership, also known as timeshare, you can swap the confinement of traditional hotel rooms and the uncertainty of private home rental for spacious multi-bedroom suites with full kitchens, living and dining areas, and laundry facilities. That gives you and your guests plenty of space to spread out and enjoy each other's company." 2. Eat well-balanced meals. One of the great pleasures of going on vacation can be trying new and exotic foods, but remember the basics of good nutrition. Consider staying somewhere with a kitchen, because while you may enjoy eating out at restaurants some of the time, eating out for every single meal every single day can become tiresome. Plus, having a kitchen gives you more control over what you eat because you know the ingredients. Not to mention, cooking with family and friends can be a fun and relaxing bonding experience. 3. Exercise. There's no question that exercise reduces stress and improves health. According to Harvard Health Publishing, exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body, including cortisol and adrenaline. Additionally, it stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers and mood lifters. So, whether it's walking on the beach, working out at the fitness center or attending a yoga class, a vacation - especially one in a resort setting with workout amenities - gives you a great opportunity to take care of yourself. You can also take advantage of being away from your normal routine to start a new exercise habit that you can continue long after the vacation is over. 4. Explore new places. According to research reported by the American Psychological Association, vacations can improve mood and reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with stress and anxiety. Getting away and exploring new places stimulates your mind and may also give you an attitude boost. The APA says that even a short vacation can reduce stress, citing a small Japanese study that found just a three-day trip lowered perceived stress levels and lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol. 5. Catch up on Zzzs. Many people pack daily life with non-stop activity from sunup to sundown, which can lead to a constant state of stress, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. According to the American Institute of Stress, being overworked and overstimulated without enough time to wind down can confuse the body about when it's time for action and when it's time to rest. Use your vacation to reset your body clock and get the rest you need. You may even want to sneak in a nap or two. 6. Plan ahead but be flexible. "Find ways to vacation that give you options about who to bring with you, where to go and what to do," recommends Conley. "As an example, timeshare from Hilton Grand Vacations offers flexibility by letting you choose bigger accommodations with home-away-from-home conveniences. We also offer flexibility around where to stay and time of year to travel, so that you can go back to your favorite tried-and-true destination again and again, or branch out and explore the world."

Cover Story Meet Carissa Lovvorn, Author Of Seeds For Sharing

- by Ali Elizabeth Turner tions can improve mood and continued from page 1 reduce stress by removing people from the activities and ciate with stress and anxiety. Getting away and exploring new places stimulates your mind and may also give you an attitude boost. The APA a relative surprised her with the following tribute to the woman as well as her work, and asked to write the article remain anonymous. Enjoy, and lend your support to this talented new author. As a young lady of unique detion can reduce stress, citing termination, Carissa Lovvorn a small Japanese study that was greatly influenced by the found just a three-day trip authors that she read and the - characters in their respected els and lowered levels of the books. In particular, the independent tomboy Jo March in the Louisa Mae Alcott novel, Little Women affected CaMany people pack daily life rissa. In the same spirit of Jo, with non-stop activity from Carissa lives her life to create sunup to sundown, which and inspire those around her. can lead to a constant state The grandaughter of Chrisof stress, making it difficult tian missionaries who worked to fall asleep and stay asleep. tirelessly to establish a church According to the American in poverty-stricken Eastern Institute of Stress, being Kentucky, Carissa also grew to appreciate the compassionlated without enough time to filled lifestyle of people who wind down can confuse the live selflessly to help others. body about when it's time Combining the imagination for action and when it's time and fierce passion of Alcott’s to rest. Use your vacation to Jo, and the real-life lessons reset your body clock and get learned through her family’s the rest you need. You may mission of continually giving even want to sneak in a nap back, there is little surprise that Lovvorn’s first work as a published author would be "Find ways to vacation that give you options about who to bring with you, where to ample, timeshare from Hilton a charming children’s book that will launch on February 23. Seeds For Sharing is a beautifully presented message of moving forward with the purpose of helping those around you. ibility by letting you choose Lovvorn, who was born and bigger accommodations with raised as Carissa Behel, grew - up in the small farming com- munity of Harvest, Alabama. ibility around where to stay Along with her younger sisand time of year to travel, so ter and two brothers, the that you can go back to your Behel children shared many - adventures in their rural settination again and again, or ting. Their days were spent branch out and explore the playing in creeks, climbing trees, fishing, and any number of youthful activities that one may expect in this pastoral setting. Carissa and her siblings were raised to understand the value of hard work, honesty, and determination. They were also taught to believe in themselves and to never give up on their dreams. Now, with a wonderful purpose in mind and a multitude of creative opportunities in her midst, Carissa Lovvorn is inviting everyone to share in her Godly gratitude and the belief in the ability to change things right where you are. Along with writing children’s literature, Lovvorn is also a gifted singer who regularly performs the National Anthem and the Alma Mater for graduation ceremonies at Athens State University. Carissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from ASU and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has been involved in non-profit organizations, such as United Way where she was the president of the ASU student chapter. She was involved with Habitat for Humanity in Athens, Alabama, first as a volunteer and then later as the affiliate’s first ReStore manager. Carissa decided to capitalize on her nonprofit experience and attended the University of Western Kentucky, where she received her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management. She was also a member of the WKU campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Mrs. Lovvorn, who is married to husband Garth Lovvorn, also enjoys playing piano and writing music. She is a mother of two daughters, and works miracles in their lives daily as most supermoms do. She enjoys painting, reading, hiking in the woods near her house, and gardening. Carissa has been inducted as a member into the Psi Chi Honor Society for Psychology Majors, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and also the Golden Key Honor Society. She is active in her church by teaching Sunday School to four and five year olds, and has worked on church plays using her creative spark to design sets and costumes. Carissa is an active member of the Athena League. She is a dear friend and counselor to all who know her, and truly devotes herself to making things around her genuinely better for everyone. The book, entitled Seeds for Sharing is based on Lovvorn’s experiences during the current COVID-19 pandemic. When the local school that her daughters Isabelle (7) and Ella (4) attended had to close due to the need to socially distance and remain at home, a new adventure was awaiting the three as the spring season moved in and it was time to plant! Initially the backyard garden was created as a means to grow food for the family and minimize trips to the grocery store. What followed was an education in using the seeds that God provides, along with soil, water, and a little patience. Soon there was an overflow of fresh vegetables coupled with an overflow of love and blessings to neighbors, relatives, and many throughout the community. Seeds For Sharing is the first in a series of many books to come, and Carissa intends to use these literary works to inspire people to start where they are and to do something to make a difference in the lives of others. Seeds For Sharing can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. Please visit www.carissalovvorn.com to view her website, the inspiration behind the story, and her new blog Simply Growing in Grace.