Fans will be Encouraged to Demonstrate How
They're Taking a Break for a
Chance to Win a
Getaway Courtesy of Hyatt's Inclusive Collection
NEW
YORK, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Points
Guy, the trusted media platform focused on maximizing travel
experiences while minimizing spending, is teaming up with
Healthline, the established leader in health and wellness
information, to launch the Take a Break Campaign to encourage fans
to pledge to use their vacation days this summer to benefit their
wellbeing.
According to a study conducted by the U.S. Travel
Association, over 768 million vacation days went unused in 2018 and
those numbers haven't improved since. In 2023, Pew
Research found in a survey that only 48% of Americans used all
of their vacation days. As a country with one of the worst rates of
using paid time off, we are missing out on the endless benefits
that taking time off provides.
A study released by the American Psychological Association
concluded that time off helps to reduce stress by removing people
from the activities and environments that they associate with
anxiety. It has been reported that even anticipating a vacation can
boost your mood in the long term.
The benefits of taking a vacation go far beyond mental health.
In a study published in Psychology and Health, researchers found
that those who took vacation time more often were less likely to
meet the criteria for a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome such as a
stroke or heart disease.
While many people associate using PTO with an extended vacation
to a faraway destination, you don't have to blow your budget to
reap the wellness benefits of taking time off. This summer,
Brian Kelly, The Points Guy, is
sharing his recommendations for maximizing your budget so you can
take some much-needed time off, while Healthline's Chief Health
Officer, Dr. Jenny Yu has shared
tips to make the most of that time away from work.
"We know that taking a vacation and traveling can be good for
your health - the time away can help you destress, build core
memories with friends and family, and enjoy activities that help
you relax," said Brian Kelly,
founder of The Points Guy. "However, you don't need to spend a lot
to reap the rewards – some of my most relaxing and rewarding trips
have been a car ride away. As many people are cutting back on
spending, I'm excited to show travelers how they can make a
vacation a reality this summer."
Brian Kelly's tips for planning a
stress free and budget-friendly getaway this summer include:
- Choose the right flight – flight delays and high prices
can cause unnecessary stress when planning a getaway. If possible,
take an early morning flight to avoid the domino effect of
potential delays and cancellations. Flying mid-week on either a
Tuesday or Wednesday is a great way to avoid the rush of business
travelers and leisure weekend travelers making it a more pleasant
airport experience.
- Maximize your points and miles – looking to take a
last-minute trip? You can typically get a better and lower rate for
your points and miles if you book your flight last minute as
airlines wait to publish the remaining awards availability. Also,
if you are traveling internationally, consider transferring your
credit card points to a foreign frequent flier program like Air
France to get a cheaper rate using fewer miles.
- Prepare for chaos – with more people traveling this
summer, preparing ahead of time for unforeseen hurdles like missing
luggage, unnecessary traffic and unruly crowds can help you enjoy
the journey more. Buy AirTags for your bags so you can track your
luggage, book flights and accommodations with a travel credit card
that has insurance and download apps for your airline or hotel,
like World of Hyatt, to be kept up to date on any last-minute
changes.
- Consider driving destinations – airfare might be out of
budget for some so consider a day trip within driving distance.
Even if you aren't traveling far, the benefits of taking time off
and unplugging remain the same as a bigger vacation. There are
plenty of amazing getaways within 2-3 hours of most locations.
- Explore destination dupes – travel can be expensive, but
it doesn't have to be. Instead of traveling to popular tourist
destinations, look into lesser-known locations with similar
experiences that offer fewer crowds and more approachable prices
for food, accommodations, and activities.
"Using your vacation time is not just about relaxation and
rejuvenation; it can also be a great opportunity to prioritize your
mental and physical wellbeing," said Dr. Jenny Yu, chief health officer at Healthline.
"Taking time off to disconnect from the day-to-day 'grind' creates
an energy that refuels and recharges by giving our brains a break
from the stress of our daily routines. Moving in nature,
reconnecting with yourself, and making space for unscheduled free
time are just a few ways to maximize the wellness benefits of
taking time off."
Dr. Jenny Yu has the following
suggestions for making sure you maximize your time off to really
reap the wellness benefits.
- Find the joy in planning – even planning a trip
has been shown to reduce stress so enjoy the process as much as
possible. Create a Pinterest board with inspiration, set aside a
planning evening with fellow travelers to chat about your itinerary
over a meal, and take your time while planning to reap the wellness
benefits.
- Schedule in some free time – during the vacation, allow
for some unscheduled time where you can explore at leisure, enjoy a
day at the pool, or just rest. This will allow you to explore
hidden gems you find along the way and come back from your trip
well-rested.
- Incorporate parts of your routine into your travel days
– unanticipated delays, packed days and a departure from
your routine can throw a wrench in your relaxing getaway.
Incorporate parts of your daily self-care routine like meditation,
journaling or stretching into your vacation to help you stay
relaxed.
- Unplug and reconnect – while scrolling can feel
relaxing, many studies show that engaging in social media can be
more taxing for your brain. Take the time on vacation to really
unplug from your daily life, limiting screen time and instead
reconnecting with yourself and your travel companions.
- Ease back into real life – when the vacation is
over, find ways to ease back into your routine. Book a flight home
on a Friday or Saturday so you can decompress when you get home and
slowly unpack and acclimate back to reality. Don't put pressure on
yourself to get it all done as soon as you get home.
To encourage followers to take some time off, The Points Guy and
Healthline are asking fans to share how they plan to "take a break"
for their wellbeing this summer via social media. Followers who
follow @healthline, @thepointsguy , and @secretsmoxche and tag a
friend they would take on vacation at this dedicated post will be
entered to win a luxury, all-inclusive stay at Secrets
Moxché Playa del Carmen, a AAA Five Diamond, adults-only resort in
Playa del Carmen, and part of Hyatt's Inclusive Collection. The
five-day, four-night all-inclusive stay for two will allow the
winners to fully unwind amongst the property's seven pools, eleven
dining options, world-class spa, palm tree-lined beach, and three
man-made cenotes. The contest will run from June 25th to July 9th. One lucky winner will be
randomly selected and notified on July
12th.
For more details on the contest and tips from Brian Kelly and Dr. Jenny Yu please follow @thepointsguy and
@healthline on Instagram.
About The Points Guy
The Points Guy (TPG) is a
trusted travel media platform that focuses on maximizing travel
experiences while minimizing spending. Through an informative,
clever point of view, TPG has become the leading online site for
all things points, miles and resourceful travel experiences. The
site's editorial content, newsletter and app consists of
firsthand flight, hotel and airplane reviews, curated travel guides
and immersive video components, as well as global event
activations. Since its launch in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a
distinguished editorial staff and extensive network of freelancers
around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly
visitors and more than 4.4 million followers across social media
platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok).
About Healthline
Over 51M information-seekers turn to Healthline every
month for medically-evidenced content, communities and solutions
when they need it the most. Healthline is a part of RVO Health, a
partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth
Group. Learn more at healthline.com.
CONTACT: press@thepointsguy.com
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SOURCE The Points Guy