Holidays are ideal tonic for improved mental and physical health

A few years ago I went to see my doctor. He said the words we all long to hear: “You need a holiday.” Of course I did. Stressed from work and life matters, I’d been getting lots of opportunistic bugs and sicknesses, and was visiting him every other week about something or other.

But it was still wonderful to be given permission. “Yes, I do need a holiday,” I concurred. “I’m thinking a week in the sun up north.” He shook his head. “No, not a short beach holiday, a significant travel break. Something that takes you out of the country and away from everything familiar and stimulates your mind. You need at least three weeks in Europe or India. Have you ever done Vietnam and Cambodia?”

But he persisted and what he said stayed with me. “I can’t help with the cat-sitting, but I can ­alleviate your money or work concerns by telling you that I calculate my patients save at least $3000 to $5000 in medical expenses per holiday they take. So you either take the holiday or pay the doctor.

But if you are not with a partner, don’t despair. There’s always the massage and pampering that comes with holidays, with studies showing that skin stimulation can trigger release. It is not just whimsical to stay well pampered by a partner or ourselves. While low serotonin levels are linked to weakened immune function and depression, raised levels are a fountain of youth, more so since serotonin stimulates melatonin for that much needed catch-up on sleep in our big comfy hotel beds — sleep being one of the most ­important contributors to vital good health.

Mental health stigma campaign starts

A campaign to reduce the stigma around mental health in children has been launched by the government.



It will use school visits and social media to urge young people and parents to talk more about mental health.

Health Minister Alistair Burt said the campaign was "the largest ever" and would include an online hub of mental health information.

Charities welcomed the move, but criticised a delay to a new survey of child mental health.

The Time to Change charity says three children in every classroom experience mental health problems ranging from self-harming to eating disorders.

The campaign will also see the launch of the Youth Mental Health Hub website to help children find accurate information about mental health conditions.

He will add the campaign marks the "biggest transformation to young people's mental health and one of the greatest investments the sector has seen".

Meanwhile, the first survey of young people's mental health since 2004 has been commissioned.

Nearly 10,000 people aged from two to 19 and their families will be interviewed to assess the prevalence of mental health issues.

Sue Baker, the director of Time to Change, said: "Young people have told us that stigma is life-limiting, it affects friendships and school life, and for a quarter it even makes them want to give up on life.


However, its chief executive, Sarah Brennan, said the long wait for the survey results would be a major barrier to improving care.