Recent studies have revealed holidays are imperative for physical and mental well-being. Apart from being an important bonding time, holidays also diminish the risk of heart disease and other stress-related illnesses by up to 32% in some cases.
Holidays are really the only time during the busy year the family can spend quality time together, share exciting experiences and create new memories that will last a lifetime.
African tours are synonymous with excitement as visitors not only get to see wild animals in their natural habitats but also get to meet new people of diverse and interesting cultures.
No technological diversions to much needed R&R
The vast majority of game lodges that host guests on southern African safaris do not have television, cell phone reception or any other interruptive technology, so ‘getting away from it all’ means exactly that.
There is little point in going on holiday if one is constantly in touch with the office. This simply elevates stress levels to new heights purely because one is so far away from the action and can really do nothing about a problem should one arise.
The other reason to consider safari travel for the complete holiday experience is the value of ‘real relaxation’. Many tourists who travel to far flung places effectively forget the trials and tribulations of their day to day lives and, instead of worrying about the millions of jobs that need doing around the house, their entire field of concentration is on R&R and what’s next on their holiday agenda.
Holidays as important as sleep
Leading psychotherapists claim a holiday away is as important as sleep. Studies have shown that people who do not go on holiday have difficulty thinking clearly, acting decisively, absorbing information effectively and exhibit an inability to see a situation in its totality.
The physical impact is also worrying. People who fail to make full use of their vacation time have a lower resilience to disease and are often unable to ward off infection.
A study conducted in the USA in 1992 revealed women who took time out only every 6 years or so were eight times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who enjoyed a holiday at least twice a year.
32% more likely to die of a heart attack
In another study conducted in 2000, men who failed to take an annual vacation were found to have a 21% higher risk of death from all causes and were 32% more likely to die of a heart attack.
Interestingly enough, it is the American population who are most at risk. With the recent economic woes and the fact that 25% of American workers do not get paid time off, there is a growing worry as to the negative effects of an overworked population.
Best the Americans take heed, don the pith helmets and head for an ultimate African safari experience. With the local African currencies at all time lows, it won’t cost an arm and a leg either.
