What Everybody Ought to Know About a Family Vacation That Lowers Your Stress!

Traveling and enjoying nature are both truly inspiring events. Why not combine both and double your vacation experience? Connecting with nature is a proven way to lower your stress and move you into more helpful emotions which improve your health.

ScienceDaily’s June 27, 2008 news report documented that “working hard when fatigued may be admired by many Americans, but it is a virtue that could be harmful to one's health, according to new research by psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The research supports a theory which suggests that exhausted individuals' cardiovascular systems are forced to work harder when they attempt to complete tasks, such as those encountered on the job or at school.”

The research conducted by psychologist Rex Wright, Ph.D , found that fatigued individuals had larger blood pressure increases than rested individuals under certain conditions which may eventually lead to hypertension and heart disease.

This research and many others find that relaxation is the key to helping you stay healthier. Try this for example, if you find yourself moving into negativity or allowing stress to penetrate your happy disposition, take a break and completely engage yourself in observing nature. Take one full minute to completely notice the leaves on a tree and observe as they rustle in the wind. Or choose to mesmerize yourself by watching the clouds and their movements, or if you are near water, enjoy the water and waves. This strategy is designed to help you overcome toxic energy by connecting with nature. Wow, it’s so simple and so enjoyable.

After experiencing this strategy as helpful, can you imagine what a full weekend or week-long vacation enjoying nature would do for you?

Ecotourism is a recent term that naturalists may use. Some define ecotourism as "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." It can be extreme or simple. Here are some “natural” choices for those that love our environment.

1. Climb the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.

2. A Thrilling Safari in the South African Bush

3. Travel to the Red Rocks of Sedona, AZ – and explore the metaphysical dimensions there. Sedona is known to have highly concentrated energies conducive to prayer, meditation and healing.

4. Hiking through the Grand Canyon -- this can be a day trip or you can spend a week there. The magnificence is stunning.

5. Enjoy the Colorado Mountains – Mountainous climbs, hikes with waterfalls, many lakes, streams and brooks to enjoy.

6. Visit the polar bear capital of the world in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

7. View the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

8. Whale Watching – there are actually many locations for this. This is a spectacular sight to witness – a six ton animal gracefully leaping out of the water. It is simply breath-taking.

9. Discover a 500 year old Incan City in Peru

10. Visit Venezuela which boasts the Caribbean coastline, the tropical Amazon rainforest, the vast savannas of Los Llanos, and the great Andes Mountains .

11. Size up the great Sequoia trees in California.

The possibilities are endless. We have a beautiful world to explore. Enjoy the possibilities and enjoy the benefits of better health.