Being quick to anger, scoffing junk food and a general sense of ennui are all signs you need a holiday, according to a travel expert.
Now that October is well and truly underway, the summer and its weeks on end of scorching sunshine feel like a fainter and fainter memory.
Five weeks into the school year, and with Christmas two and a half months away, now may be a good time to recharge your batteries and take some time off.
The mental health benefits of taking a holiday are clear and the sensation of recharging your batteries will be familiar to anyone, whether you're in a stressful job or dealing with plenty in your per
Dr Hana Patel, a mental health coach and GP, said: “It is really important to take regular breaks and use our annual leave entitlement.
"Research has shown that people who take regular holidays are less likely to suffer from heart disease, and mental and physical illnesses.
"Regular holidays also help to prevent burnout, a condition that is defined as emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress- usually stress caused by work”.
Travel firm ParkSleepFly have put together a list of the things that may show you you're in need of a bit of a break.10 signs you need a holiday according to a sleep expert
You’re always losing your temper
If you’re finding yourself constantly stressed out and seem to be making a bigger deal out of problems you could usually solve with ease, then you might be in need of a holiday.
Some time away will typically help you to cool down, whilst providing you with the opportunity to come back with a clear head, ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
You’re making unhealthy choices
Stress can be associated with tiredness, which often comes with a lack of motivation. This can also lead to making less healthy dietary choices, for example, not sticking to your meal plans.
You may even form the habit of spending too much time on your phone which can likewise come from a lack of motivation. If you begin to notice these unhealthy routines, then consider booking some time away.
You’re making mistakes
If your brain continuously feels as though it's going at a million miles an hour and you’re finding it hard to focus, it can become a lot easier to make frequent mistakes - mistakes that perhaps you would never usually make.
If you’re finding this is the case at work, then speak to your manager to request some time off so you can reset and return with your best foot forward.
You can’t sleep
Do people in the office keep telling you that you look tired? Are you finding yourself taking hour-long naps in the afternoon?
Are you struggling to sleep at night? If you are answering yes to these questions, this is your body telling you that you need to make a change and look after yourself.
A holiday is a perfect medicine to rejuvenate and get back to a more regular sleep schedule.
You’re neglecting your personal life
It might feel like all you do is work, and this is not a good thing.
If you find yourself regularly missing family gatherings and cancelling on friends, then you may need to re-think your work-life balance and take time to reset.
It’s important that your identity doesn’t become wrapped up in your work and you can remember who the ‘real you’ is.
You’ve got ‘holiday envy’ - and it shows
If your friend's holiday pics used to bring you joy and inspire you, but now they only make you jealous and frustrate you, it might be time to get away.
You’ve lost your spark
If you're snoozing those alarms more and more often, dreading the Mondays you once looked forward to, and are struggling to 'find the funny' in anything, this is another sign that you probably need a holiday.
Give yourself time to rediscover your life passions, and the motivation will start coming out of nowhere.
Your last holiday is a distant memory
Do you struggle to remember the last time you got those dust-covered suitcases out for a trip?
Are you asking yourself where your last holiday was?
Are you constantly dreaming of drinking cocktails on a beach at 2pm? If the answer is yes, then you are in absolute need of a getaway.
Your time off isn’t exciting
If you're not using your time off to do things that excite you and instead are only managing to drag yourself to the sofa, then this is a sign that your energy levels are majorly depleted.
You need to make sure you are making the most of the health and wellness benefits from your off time.
The simple remedy is a holiday.
You’re bargaining with yourself
Too often, we tell ourselves to power through until the weekend and resist taking any time off.
Many people keep their time off banked away as a safety blanket, but this can often do you more harm than good, as you become worn out.
Bite the bullet and take time off when it’s genuinely needed - you’ll thank yourself for it.
