The Best of the Blue Mountains

Close your eyes and imagine a quiet and idyllic location, your body is infused with the warmth of the sun as you unwind with a good book. There are no deadlines or chores, time is endless and you have the freedom to just let go and let the day take you where it wishes.

The phone rings and you’re jolted back to reality. Your desk is in front of you, the deadlines are looming and the daydream is long gone.

With the fast pace of today’s modern world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in a burnout spiral. We’re working harder and longer than ever before. Many of us don’t make relaxation a priority. And now, the Expedia Fly and Flop report shows Aussies prefer a cultural holiday to a beach bum stay, and if we are hitting the beach for a holiday, we’re heading overseas.

In an effort to see and experience the world, we’re taking holidays filled with busy itineraries, endless activities, late nights and long haul flights. All resulting in feeling more tired at the end of the holiday than when we started.

Every now and then you need a little R&R– no matter whether it’s for three days or three weeks, I promise you that the break will do your body and soul the world of good. Aussies are still a savvy bunch, with more than half of us taking a beach holiday in the last year. We’re also taking longer to recharge, with the average beach holiday lasting 7-8 days, almost double the global average.

Spending time unwinding and relaxing reminds you how to recharge, rebalance and reconnect. So you’re still not convinced?

Here are my top three reasons for taking a time out and treating yourself to a fly and flop holiday.

Increase health and wellbeing. Taking time to chill out is crucial for maintaining health and wellbeing. The R&R will release muscle tension, lower blood pressure, improve digestion and repair cells. The Fly and Flop report also shows Aussies care about being “beach ready”, spending time and money hitting the gym before a trip. The exercise and healthy eating you’ll do to get your beach body is great for your wellbeing.

Reconnect. Disconnect so you can reconnect. Unplug from the world and reconnect with yourself. Turn off your phone, shut down your computer. Yes this may be scary for some of you; but it’s impossible to balance and recharge  when you’re replying to text messages, emails and checking Facebook. By turning down the noise from the outside world, you can hear yourself think.

Celebrate life. Breaking away from your hectic schedule will help slow down time so that you can savour every moment. Relaxation holidays are a sanctuary for your soul, they inspire you to breathe and experience. According to Fly and Flop, Aussies love to get a mix of chilled out and active activities – we’re splitting our time between walking, swimming and reading. At the end of the day, it’s about being present in the moment and looking for the beauty that surrounds you.

Do yourself a favour ­- book your R&R holiday and make no other plans other than to just spend quality time relaxing. For fly and flop holiday ideas, check out Expedia Holidays.