The bright lights of the New Year celebrations are a long way behind us and Spring has not yet arrived. As the country totters from one economic disaster to another, what better way to unwind then by getting away from it all.

How does a holiday help to relieve anxiety? How does it vary for each individual? When is the optimum time to go away? Let’s investigate stress and how a cruise holiday can help to eliminate it.

The original stress victim, Woody Allan whimsically remembers not only being kidnapped as a child from his school playground, but also the reaction of his parents which, he explains was instantaneous, “they immediately advertised and let out my room”.

Derived from the world “distress” the term “stress” in medical terminology indicates unusual psychological strain. It is not only part of our lives but a way of life. Few people realise that all living organisms need some form of stress in order to function, but this can vary. Some of us work so much better under pressure when our wits are at their sharpest and concentration is absolute and the increased adrenaline in the bloodstream is doing its job. Others disintegrate under the same level.

An unacceptable high level of psychological pressure produces an inability to cope. This over a period of time leads to an incapability to make even simple decisions, irascibility, sleeplessness and depression. As each one of these systems aggravates each of the others it is possible to end up in ever decreasing vicious circles. For the average person the main requirement necessary to prevent corrosive stress is to feel in control of their lives. It is not necessary to be in control but just to feel as if you are.

This can be done in a superficial way by just getting out of it for a short time. Such as indulging in an absorbing game of tennis or reading a good book. Anything that requires complete concentration and allows you to come back relatively refreshed and able to put any problems into perspective, or else see them from a completely different angle.

Even better, a holiday does this in spades. With new experiences, fun and no worries we feel healthier and much more ready to confront the problems of everyday life and we can do it the natural way, without resorting to many crutches, such as excessive drink or drugs.

Speaking recently, Ian Rumgay, UK communications manager for Cruise Critic, said–there are some great deals to be had, with many cruise lines slashing their prices enormously “There are some really amazing bargains”

So don’t wait until you are too anxious to make the decision to take a cruise. Do it now, and feel good at being in control of having some fun in your life.

Lucy Daltroff

Related posts:

• Stress Free Guide To Cruising It couldn’t be better, you have booked to go...
• Stress Free Guide to Planning Your Cruise I heard a story this week, about a girl...

Posted in Advice, Cruising