Life has never been busier. As technology has developed, the ease with which we can communicate means that we’re always on the go. We expect a lot from ourselves each day, and when we do have those spare moments to ourselves, we manage to fill them with some of the things we hadn’t gotten to just yet.
Taking the time to step back, and literally retreat from our everyday lives, is something that many of us struggle to do, and in some cases, we feel guilty about. But the importance of taking the time for ourselves has never been greater.
Many of us prioritise our work, and while there is sound reasoning for this, the less time we take out for ourselves, the more this can impact our ability to, and the quality of our work.
But it’s not just the quality of our work that can suffer, it’s the quality of our everyday lives. Self-care is a word you’ve likely heard before, and it’s so much more than a buzzword. Self-care is taking the time out for ourselves, and it’s something we need to practice because the benefits of taking a break are numerous.
The Benefits of Taking a Break
Life has never been busier. As technology has developed, the ease with which we can communicate means that we’re always on the go. We expect a lot from ourselves each day, and when we do have those spare moments to ourselves, we manage to fill them with some of the things we hadn’t gotten to just yet.
Taking the time to step back, and literally retreat from our everyday lives, is something that many of us struggle to do, and in some cases, we feel guilty about. But the importance of taking the time for ourselves has never been greater.
Many of us prioritise our work, and while there is sound reasoning for this, the less time we take out for ourselves, the more this can impact our ability to, and the quality of our work.
But it’s not just the quality of our work that can suffer, it’s the quality of our everyday lives. Self-care is a word you’ve likely heard before, and it’s so much more than a buzzword. Self-care is taking the time out for ourselves, and it’s something we need to practice because the benefits of taking a break are numerous.
1. A break improves your creativity and problem solving abilities
When we take time out from our busy lives, and manage to switch off and relax, it gives us a chance to free our minds and focus on different things. Facing the same routines, tasks, and places each day can hamper our thought processes and creative abilities, which can make it difficult to see the bigger picture.
One of the best ways you can switch off from the normal life and become inspired is by visiting a new place. As we learn about a new area, and experience a different culture or way of life, our thought process broadens, our perspectives widen, and it’s these new thoughts, perspectives, observations, and experiences that help us be more creative, productive and have a new zest for our ordinary lives.
2. Helps to strengthen relationships and encourages quality time
There is a difference between spending time with someone and spending quality time with them. And while we may try to take the time out for partners and loved ones in our normal lives, it can be difficult to harness that quality one-on-one time.
A break away from the real world gives us a chance to reconnect with our loved ones while we experience new things with them. And without the distraction and errands of everyday life hanging over you it allows you to explore together and create new memories.
3. Increases self-confidence and self-esteem
There is a difference between spending time with someone and spending quality time with them. And while we may try to take the time out for partners and loved ones in our normal lives, it can be difficult to harness that quality one-on-one time.
A break away from the real world gives us a chance to reconnect with our loved ones while we experience new things with them. And without the distraction and errands of everyday life hanging over you it allows you to explore together and create new memories.
4. Improves immunity and fights stress
There is a difference between spending time with someone and spending quality time with them. And while we may try to take the time out for partners and loved ones in our normal lives, it can be difficult to harness that quality one-on-one time.
A break away from the real world gives us a chance to reconnect with our loved ones while we experience new things with them. And without the distraction and errands of everyday life hanging over you it allows you to explore together and create new memories.
5. Helps you increase mindfulness and live in the now
Do you ever drive home from work and by the time you’re safe and sound in your driveway, you wonder how you even got there? When we’re constantly exposed to the same things every day, where we follow the same routines, the autopilot comes on. We stop observing, we stop noticing and we stop being as present.
When we visit a new place, whether it’s a town city, country or even just a new suburb, we become more aware of our surroundings because we’re away from the familiar. This makes us become keen observers again and truly be present and live in the now. It’s a way for us to improve our mindfulness unintentionally, while also broadening our experiences.
6. Allows you to connect to yourself
Just like a holiday can strengthen the connection in your relationship with your loved one, it can help you connect with yourself. Time away from your everyday life gives you a chance to gain or adjust your perspective, your goals, and re-prioritise without the pressure of the everyday hanging over you.
Having the time to relax and re-focus on your wants and needs can provide you with a positive outlook for all areas of your life. It can change how you see yourself, and the world around you.
A holiday can also be the best time to break some bad habits and work on creating new ones without the distraction and excuses of your normal life. Immersing yourself in a relaxing and luxurious settings can have an incredibly motivating effect and push you to reassess your life and work on improving any negative behaviours.
7. Benefits can be ongoing and long-lasting
The last benefit we’ll mention today is that each of these benefits, and many others, have actually been shown to have long lasting effects, in many instances for more than a month after the holiday. It’s also been shown that these positive effects are not only experienced by you but can also rub off on colleagues and those around you. So, while finding the time to take the break might seem like a challenge, the effects of having the time off can last longer than the trip itself.
So, now that you know some of the benefits of taking a break, where do you go?
Where to take a break
Home to sun, sea and sand, Tropical North Queensland is rich with attractions and activities for you to experience at any pace. The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics provide endless experiences, while the beaches and spas give you ample places to relax and unwind. But it’s not just the activities and attractions that make Tropical North Queensland the ideal place for your break.
There’s something in the air in TNQ that cannot quite be replicated quite as well anywhere else. The focus in this part of the world is about absorbing the world around you and soaking in all that it has to offer. And maybe this is because of the abundance of natural attractions on offer, or maybe it’s the year round sunshine and incredible weather, but the zest of life is rich here, and it’s worth experiencing.
Where to stay for your break
When it comes to your well-being, there is no place better suited for your break than the Reef House in Palm Cove. At the Reef House, you and your well-being are the priority. At every turn, personalised touches have been carefully curated to ensure that you feel at ease, and that your time at the Reef House is going to nourish you both physically and mentally.
A beachfront property, the Reef House is a charming boutique hotel offering a range of complimentary activities, that are set to get your journey to wellness and relaxation well underway. Yoga classes, Poolside Sorbet and Twilight Drinks are just some of the activities you can partake in.
While the location of Palm Cove itself is conveniently only a 25-minute drive from the Cairns Airport, the relaxed lifestyle of this seaside community makes you feel as if you are worlds away. With palm trees lining the beach, and the Coral Sea lapping at the shores, Palm Cove has harnessed what makes this part of the world special and amplified it.
No matter the type of holiday you prefer, you can have it all at the Reef House. Palm Cove is tucked away halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas, with the Great Barrier Reef to the East, and the Wet Tropics, to the West. At every turn, you’re surrounded by opportunities and attractions to explore. So, whether you are looking to connect with nature by hiking through the rainforest, wanting to discover the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, or you just want to relax in an environment that has been made for it, when you’re at the Reef House you can have your pick.
Submit to self care
Headed up by Spa Director, Isabelle, people travel far and wide to partake in the treatments and rituals on offer at the Reef House Spa and it’s for good reason.
Offering rituals that target any and every area of the body, at the Reef House Spa you can indulge in massages, facials, manicures, and many other rituals, and you can tailor this treatment menu to suit your needs.
The Spa’s menu has been carefully designed to ensure it incorporates the latest treatments and techniques, while also offering those touches you can only get at the Reef House, such as the use of Phytomer Products – a range of marine products that are effective and environmentally conscious. And when you leave your visit to the Spa, you will feel that deep relaxation and sense of calm you’ve been longing for.
Is it time for you to take a break?
Though it’s often seen as a luxury, taking the time out for ourselves is so much more than that. Our physical health, mental health, relationships, motivation, and perspectives can all be improved upon by taking this time away from work and our everyday lives.
Here at the Reef House, we’ve worked hard to create a world that takes the stress of your daily life away. You and your wellbeing are our first thought here, and we strive to ensure that your time and experience at the Reef House will leave you feeling physically and mentally nourished.
