Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about summertime. This is a major season for vacations. Whether you stay at home or take a trip during your time off, make sure you get all the benefits of a vacation.
Dr. Monroe Cullum, a psychiatrist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says our brains need a rest every now and then. That makes vacations essential for mental health. Vacations allow our brains to go offline for a while as we break with our usual routines. Ideally, a vacation should be long enough to allow you to really de-stress, and some people may need several days just to get used to the idea of relaxing so they can achieve the benefits of a vacation. If you can, try to avoid being on-call by cell phone or e-mail while you’re on vacation. Staying in touch with the office can keep you on-edge so that you don’t really relax and refresh your brain.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/mentalhealth to learn more about
UT Southwestern’s clinical services in mental health.
