Ever wondered why you feel so much lighter after switching on that out of office reply? Removing yourself from your everyday environment and enforcing a physical separation from any stress or worries helps reduce rumination, which is that daily loop of (not always pleasant) mental chatter.

There are no obligations to be found on a sun lounger, and reducing your body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone) is beneficial for your mind and physical health.

Studies have shown that chronic stress can cause the dreaded brain fog and taking breaks is crucial for cognition and productivity – so you’ll be reaping the benefits of that holiday for a long time.

2024 travel tip: the peaceful Caribbean island of Aruba has been tipped as the destination to watch by the travel industry and the perfect place in which to soak up all the R&R, with its miles of white sand and crystal waters among the best beaches in the world. You can settle into the pace of island life with calming activities such as paddlesurf yoga and Aruban aloe vera body scrub-making workshops worth adding to your itinerary. Plus, British Airways now offers year-round direct flights between the UK and the island, for a stress-less travel experience.

In praise of the proper holiday – this is why you need to take a Big Trip in 2024