Shake off the winter blues with these tried and tested tips
The third Monday of January, otherwise known as Blue Monday, is often considered to be one of the gloomiest days of the year. From frigid temperatures and a lack of sunlight to failing New Year’s resolutions, many Canadians begin to experience a serious case of the winter blues at this time.
The good news is that shaking off the winter blues might be easier than you think. According to a survey recently conducted by Sunwing, 95% of Canadians agree that vacations have a positive impact on their wellbeing. We compiled some of our top tips to help you get out of the blues and into the sun this winter. From boosting your mood by booking early to spending some much-needed time in the sun, read on for our top advice on shaking off the winter blues.
There are plenty of clear advantages to booking your vacation early – you’re more likely to get your preferred departure date and resort and you can score a better deal – but did you know that booking early can also boost your mood? While you’ll definitely feel an upswing in your mood when you step off the plane in paradise and smell that fresh island breeze, over 75% of Canadians say that they get excited about their upcoming vacation the moment they book and the week before they depart – proving that the ‘holiday halo effect’ starts long before you depart and can continue even after you’ve returned home. Booking early will extend the holiday happiness bubble, giving you something exciting to look forward to and making those chilly winter commutes much more bearable.
You’ll have a lot to look forward to when you plan your getaway to Grand Memories Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This popular resort includes access to one of the largest resort water parks in the Caribbean with a wave pool, seven “monster” slides and two mini slides for kids. Remember to book early to start counting down to paradise and to secure your preferred suite – there are even options that sleep families of five or more.
The dreary winter weather, gloomy skies and shorter days back home in Canada can negatively impact your wellbeing. Booking a vacation to a tropical destination can help make the winter season go by faster! Although all vacations have a positive effect on our wellbeing, over 80% of Canadians agree that where you choose to vacation makes a difference and believe that vacationing somewhere tropical can make the dreaded winter season fly by. When you choose a sunny and warm locale for your next vacation, you’ll get your much-needed dose of vitamin D and facing the rest of the cold weather will be a tropical breeze, with fond memories of your time away and the ‘holiday halo effect’ helping to keep you warm for months (or years!) to come.
After a stay at the top-rated family resort Riu Vallarta, you’ll be ready to take on whatever winter has in store. This newly-renovated property in Riviera Nayarit is nestled on the pristine shores of Playa de Flamingos where you can soak up some much-needed sunshine by the sprawling pool complex or try out a range of water sports by the beach.
Our survey found that if money was no object, most Canadians (especially millennials) would choose to splurge on experiences and making memories over anything else, including VIP upgrades or luxury items. Excursions are a great way to have a unique experience and make the most of your time away, with memories that will last a lifetime. Not only will you have a blast in the moment, but you’ll also have something positive to look back on over the cold winter months. Excursions are a great way to get outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Whether you want to spend the day on a private island, learn about your destination’s history and culture or race ATVs across the desert, Sunwing Experiences offers something for every traveller – making checking things off your bucket list easy.
Try out exciting new adventures when you stay at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica, with the resort’s exclusively-curated PH Experiences. Zipline high above the treetops of Guanacaste on the Canopy Congo Trail, unwind in relaxing hot springs after a horseback ride on the Mega Combo Buena Vista adventure, explore the nearby Nicaragua’s only active volcano on the Discover Nicaragua excursion and meet sloths and monkeys on the Adventure Pass tour.