LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Do yourself a favor and hit the road
Story and photo by Eric Cravey
Regardless of what age you are, the open road offers a call to explore and West Virginia is definitely a place that has boundless opportunities for exploration.
In the spring and summer months, that call to explore can no longer be tamped down by procrastination, the tattered and torn“ Honey-Do List” on the fridge or telling yourself‘ I just don’ t have the time, right now. I’ m so busy at work.’ The road still calls.
So, what if we all set aside our encumbrances and excuses, sit down with our partners and scrawl together a budget and plan to take a“ One Tank Trip” or go exploring in your own city. The payoff can be priceless. The vacation industry has such an impact on the American economy that there are multiple studies that validate the personal wellbeing and health benefits of simply taking a vacation. Yes, going on vacation makes us better people. Vacations also help keep us healthy.
However, there is a bit of a caveat. Sitting down to plan your vacation can actually cause many people some short-lived, undue stress. But, once you get past the planning, the other benefits definitely outweigh the stress.
So, what happens to us when we’ re on the road?
Researchers at the State University of New York at Oswego found that an annual vacation can reduce the overall risk of death by approximately 20 percent. The nineyear study also concluded that vacations can reduce the risk of death caused by heart disease by up to 30 percent.
Meanwhile, research conducted by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes the case that vacations should not be delayed and the more frequent the vacations, the better.
The study followed a group of women for 20 years in the Framingham Heart Study who took no more than one vacation every six years and found they“ were nearly eight times more likely to have a heart attack than women who took at least two vacations a year.”
The data speaks volumes. Regular breaks from work likely provide a buffer against stress. For decades, studies have documented how stress impacts the human body. According to one study, stress“ fuels the chronic inflammation behind heart disease as well as diabetes and other chronic ills.”
It’ s difficult to think of a time when I was lying on a beach or hiking a trail and experienced stress.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh’ s Mind-Body Center found that“ vacations increase pleasant emotions while reducing depression. Vacations also provide a greater
Guests take pictures and enjoy the vista at Coppers Rock State Forest in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia.
opportunity to experience moments of awe, which have also been researched and found to generate a boost in mood.” The study also found that employee stress levels dropped in the days prior to their vacations because simply“ knowing you have a vacation, or even a break, in your future makes it easier to push through the stressful and mundane days.”
And let’ s admit it. We can all use a change of scenery.
I cannot recall the number of times while living in Florida my wife and I would agree that we were tired of seeing nothing but flat land. We’ d agree that we needed to hit the trail and head either into my home state of Georgia or her home state of South Carolina where there were at least rolling hills and fewer swamplands. Of course, being away from the office and the daily grind also made each trip more enjoyable.
So, whether you like to explore history, nature or fine dining and entertainment on your vacation travels, West Virginia has something for everyone. And that’ s what this issue of“ Destinations” is all about.
Get ready to enjoy the warmer months and plan your getaway today. It doesn’ t matter if you’ re on a Five-Star hotel budget or a pup tent camping site budget, it’ s time to get out and explore.
Enjoy!
4 � DESTINATIONS � JUNE’ 25
Eric Cravey is editor of West Virginia South and The Register-Herald in Beckley, W. Va. He is a frustrated artist and writer, lover of rescue dogs, great conversation, his family and simply meeting new people. In his 38-year career, he has won multiple awards, including“ Stringer of the Year,” in-depth reporting, breaking news and best editorial writing.
The Register-Herald photo