15
/ Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The Transformative Power of a Vacation Shared experiences as an antidote to pandemic stress
W
Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal
@Landi_Zoe
hat is it about a vacation that makes us feel so refreshed? Perhaps the answer depends on the destination - a beach getaway certainly restores a sense of peace and imparts a healthy glow, while touring a new city with a packed itinerary might stimulate a new kind of curiosity. More vital than the place, however, is the people that surround you. According to the results of a study conducted by UNICEF and Gallup in 21 countries, emotions such as uncertainty, loneliness, and sadness took over the lives of thousands of families. Children and adolescents were greatly affected by the radical changes in their routines, with their mental health and support being impacted. “Moving away from face-to-face interactions in social, academic, and family settings reinforced children’s isolation and insecurity. In addition, the lack of social, sensory, physical, and educational stimulation caused lags and deficiencies in their development, and lost many important vital
Marriott International taken in the Caribbean and Latin America, 40% of participants planned on taking an upcoming vacation with their family. “Following the pandemic, we saw a new focus on values, and spending time with loved ones is at the top of the list. Traditional family vacations have been expanded to become multi-generational and include the extended family, as our guests want to meet again and make up for lost time,” said Diana Plazas-Trowbridge, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America. Family vacations could be the ideal antidote Rubén la Rosa to the pandemic’s negative effects. Enjoying Psychologist beautiful moments as a family can bring lasting feelings of happiness to children. These types of vacations help to support opportunities for their growth,” increased rational, reflective, and said Rubén la Rosa, an infant critical thinking. New values and psychologist. emotional and social abilities can To revitalize your family’s be acquired as well, according to mental health, as well as studies by the pediatric Hospital your own, the transformative Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona. Nearly 90% of power of a vacation cannot be “The post-COVID family must Americans have underestimated. reconnect emotionally and enjoy trips planned. all together on a journey that Source: Destination will reinforce emotional ties and Family: The Key To An Analysts reported communication. Beyond this, Enriching Vacation children’s brains learn beyond a Nearly 90% of Americans have screen or the sheets of a book trips planned, despite widespread they learn by experience, by the concern over economic struggles enjoyment and safety of being with the family,” and global turmoil, researchers at Destination said Rubén la Rosa. Analysts reported. Furthermore, in a study by
The post-COVID family must reconnect emotionally and enjoy all together on a journey that will reinforce emotional ties and communication.
In fact,
