Weekend Getaways Are Good for You, According to Science

A nice, long holiday always sounds tempting. Unfortunately, most people don’t often have enough vacation leaves for a lengthy break. Saturdays and Sundays are usually all we get. But don’t count these two days out. Weekend getaways offer many advantages for your health – perhaps even more than drawn-out trips.

The effects of unplugging from work and using up those VLs are well-known. Forbes even went out to say that holidays are essential to employee survival. The American Psychological Association reports that separating yourself from your anxiety triggers (think deadlines or your toxic boss) can help reduce stress. Breaks also help your mind and body recover, allowing you to return to the workplace with improved well-being and enhanced focus.

But there’s a downside to these retreats, especially if you’ll be away for some time. Advancing the work you’ll miss is no walk in the park. In the weeks prior, you’ll have to ask colleagues to cover for you, finish turnovers, and ensure everything goes smoothly in your absence. This level of meticulous planning ensures a happier guilt-free vacation where you don’t have to keep checking your phone for notifications.

According to Jonathan Alpert’s Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days book, short trips, such as weekend getaways, offer the same advantages as an extended trip without the work anxiety. These micro-escapades refresh your mind while exempting you from the challenges of the pre-leave grind.

Do you think you’re more of a long-haul holidaymaker? You may change your mind when you learn the long-term perks of short travels.

A long leave of absence may involve stressful preparation: first, in your transition strategy for when you’re away, and second, in drawing up your travel itinerary (reservations and bookings can be tiring, too).

A weekend getaway requires none of that because you wouldn't be working those two days anyway. Even the actual vacation requires minimal planning. You can just drive to Tagaytay when you feel like it.

Everyone needs a holiday – and vacation leaves are mandated by law, so yes, you do deserve that break. However, such trips can cost a pretty penny. A long-term lease on Airbnb will still make a bigger dent in your wallet than an overnight stay in a hotel.

Apart from being easier on the budget, weekend getaways are also more sustainable for your mental and emotional health. In Alpert's book, he compares a long vacation to a sleeping binge. It’s fun but won’t make up for months of late nights. On the other hand, short trips are snacks that fuel you just enough to push harder in your daily grind until your next brief LOA.

Moreover, the success of your vacation depends on several other factors beyond booking an ocean-view room. You need to unplug (no chasing targets on the beach!) and turn off your devices (even Instagram notifications can be taxing) to reap the benefits! Let’s be honest. It’s hard to get away from the pull of social media for so long.

Do you live in Manila and want to escape the city for a bit? Whether your mini vacay is an overnighter or a long weekend, make the most of your time off with these fun suggestions:

Cavite

Bataan

Batangas

Laguna

Subic

Pangasinan

La Union

Zambales

Pampanga

Rizal

If you fancy a short plane ride, you can also consider these options:

Cebu

Bohol

Bicol

Boracay

Ilocos

For a weekend getaway to be truly effective, make sure you’re packed well and ready for everything on your itinerary, from lounging under the Puerto Galera sun (sunscreen, please) to spelunking in Sagada (lots of mosquito repellent). Don't sit on your kikay kit, either, especially if you want to maintain healthy (not to mention IG-ready) skin.

Remember to bring Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Aerosol. This gentle deo has the essentials you need, nothing more, nothing less. It has no alcohol or aluminum, contains 1/4 moisturizing cream, and provides odor protection – so you can be kind to your skin while keeping it fresh.

Still, alcohol is a must these days, particularly for hygiene purposes. Having an all-around antiseptic can help you feel safe and clean wherever you are. And to help you truly relax on your vacay, end every adventure with a nice long bath using Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Body Wash. Thanks to Microbiome Gentle Skin Prebiotics formula that purifies and protects your skin, it has the benefit of keeping you fresh and relaxed all at once.

So much science supports weekend getaways. Even University of Illinois researchers demonstrated that diversions, such as mini breaks, can boost productivity, lower anxiety, and renew focus. Meanwhile, a 2018 Austrian paper also confirms lowered stress levels in managers after a short vacation. So what are you waiting for? Plan that road trip now!