Those good vibes seem to disappear immediately, but it’s possible to extend them.
After I returned from a recent family vacation, I was struck by just how much time my husband and I spend discussing our paper towel supply. Are levels getting dangerously low? Is it time to restock? Our recycling bin comes up a lot, too.
During our weeklong stay in Europe, we had actual conversations. We were chattier, more relaxed versions of ourselves. Vacations are not real life, of course, but still I wondered if there was anything we could do to keep that feeling going all year long.
Researchers have spotted connections between vacations and lower stress, a healthier heart rate and increased creativity. And there’s some evidence that those benefits can linger for weeks.
But research also suggests that they do wear off eventually, particularly if you have a high-stress job, said Sarah Pressman, a professor of psychological science at the University of California. But, she added, you can build in habits to prolong that well-being.
Here’s how to do it.
Do a “mini version” of your favorite thing.
The first step, Dr. Pressman said, is to reflect on your vacation: What did you love doing the most? Was it family dinners with great conversations? Was it daily naps?
Then, she said, “try to find a mini version of that.” If you loved biking on vacation, she said, start with a weekly bike ride. If you loved exploring, she said, meet a friend in a new town or neighborhood and act like a tourist.