Many people dream of taking a vacation. What if we told you that a weekend getaway is more than just a fun vacation, but is also beneficial to your health? Getting away for just a couple of days and taking some time for yourself is incredibly important. And here at River House Inn, we’re big fans of the weekend getaway.
Whether you take advantage of our Romance Package, Golf Package, or just reserve a room for a couple of nights and explore the coast freely – getting away is good for you. Here’s why.
1. A Weekend Getaway Improves Mental Health
One of the most popular reasons that people take short weekend getaways is to refresh their mental health.
In a 2017 survey conducted by Enterprise Rent-A-Car of 1,015 people aged 25 years and older, there were four primary reasons to want to travel for the weekend. Forty-three percent of survey participants said they would go to escape stress, 39 percent wanted to escape the news, 38 percent wanted to escape the current political climate, and 24 percent said they wanted to escape social media.
Another good reason to get out is to boost your brain’s creative levels. Adam Galinsky, a Columbia Business School professor, has done multiple studies on how traveling can impact your brain’s creativity levels, but he is not the only one. Many other researchers have found the same positive correlation between the two topics.
A weekend trip can significantly improve your mental health by tamping down your stress levels, boosting your creativity levels, and lowering your worry levels.
Our prescription? A weekend, or a midweek escape, to this area known as Oregon’s Coastal Playground.
2. Quick Trips Improve Your Physical Health
Your physical health is just as important as your mental health. People who take vacations, even short weekend ones, typically have lower stress levels and lower risk of heart disease.
In a 1992 study by Eaker Epidemiology Enterprises, which used information from the Framingham Heart Study, numerous physical health benefits from taking vacations were identified.
The study showed that women who took a vacation once every six years or less were nearly eight times more likely to develop heart disease or have a heart attack than those who took at least two vacations a year. The study also showed that men who failed to take at least one vacation a year were at a 21 percent higher death risk in general, and 32 percent of those men were more likely to die of a heart attack.
While regular vacations can lower your overall stress level, which can impact all areas of health, it also specifically reduces your chances of being diagnosed with heart disease.
3. Vacations, Even Short, Help You Disconnect From Society
Another way to significantly lower your stress levels is to disconnect from society, and weekend getaways, especially here in Florence, are a great way to do that.
People in today’s world are constantly on social media platforms, and taking a break from the digital world can help your brain recuperate from constantly processing information on a screen. Most workplaces utilize computer screens in order to communicate with coworkers, and stepping away from technology not only lets your eyes rest, but also makes you physically and mentally rest, as many employees treat themselves as workhorses – pushing themselves to the point where they have to take multiple days off due to health reasons.
This is the same for taking breaks from being around people, as being around others all day every day can be mentally taxing. Taking some time to step away from the crowds allows your brain to stop thinking about other people and their needs, and focus on you and your needs.
4. Weekend Getaways are Cost Effective
Cost is usually a significant factor when it comes to planning a vacation.
Big vacations can make you say “goodbye” to relaxation because they can quickly become very costly. If you’re worrying about money, your vacation will be more stressful. You may be tempted to cram as many activities as possible into your trip, in order to get the most bang for your buck.
Small vacations are not only easier to plan than longer ones but can cost far less. Because the cost is significantly lower, short trips are also much easier to save up for. These savings may mean that you can afford to take a few weekend trips per year, rather than only one big vacation.
Call us to get the lowest possible rate on a great room, and we’ll help you plan your trip by suggesting lots of fun activities, attractions, and food/drink options for you to choose from.
5. Getaways Help Strengthen Your Relationships
Weekend getaways are also great for strengthening relationships with your loved ones.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” is a common phrase when referring to being away from your partner. Taking a solo weekend getaway allows you to not only have time away from your partner, but also allows you to focus on yourself rather than anyone else.
On the other hand, taking a mini-vacation with your partner can also be a lot of fun. Couples retreats are popular options for couples looking to get away from real life for a couple of days. Many hotels recognize this and offer “romance packages.” River House Inn is one of those that offers a romance package, and if you are looking to purchase something to make your couple’s getaway extra special, they are more than happy to connect you with a local business for bouquets, chocolates, gifts, and more.
Even if you choose to spend your weekend in the hotel, and not out and exploring the town, taking time for yourself with or without company allows you to relax and recharge for the week ahead.
6. Getaways Maximize Your Time with New Experiences
Stay-cations and mini-vacations to another town in your state give you the chance to experience things that you may not normally experience. Playing tourist in your own town, or even somewhere else in your own state, can be lots of fun. Our innkeepers know where to find all the fun Florence has to offer.
Are you a golfer? Whether you are or not, staying at a hotel that offers golfing packages like ours is a great option if you want to try it out. River House Inn offers two golf packages: the Florence Golf Links Package, and the Ocean Dunes Golf Links Package. Both packages include an 18-hole round of golf for two and an overnight stay at River House Inn.
Have you ever been sandboarding? If not, a mini-vacation to somewhere like Florence, Oregon, is a great place to try sandboarding for the first time, as Florence is known for its sand dunes. Florence is home to the world’s first sandboarding park—Sand Master Park—and they offer lessons and will suggest a variety of locations with slopes for any skill level.
Either way, a short stay somewhere that’s not home is a great opportunity to try something new, and who knows, you may even find a new favorite food or a new activity you enjoy.