Whether you’re an adventurer or a fan of the staycation, time away from work brings physical and mental benefits. Some even say “vacation time could save your life.”
Studies show that vacations:
- Relieve stress.
- Improve heart health.
- Increase mindfulness.
- Make you more productive.
- Lead to better sleep.
Of course, they also give us time with loved ones and an opportunity pursue activities we enjoy.
At JMP, we’ve found an added holiday benefit: Great photos! Here’s a short world tour of how our colleagues’ have spent their time away from work.
Arati Mejdal (@arati_mejdal) : My husband and I got to experience the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit in New York City where we viewed (and became part of) giant digital interpretations of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh.
Peter Polito (@Peter_Polito) : We day-tripped to Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park from Zion Nat'l Park to escape the heat for the day. Our four-year-old is throwing a fit for some reason--who knows why...
Alicia Riggs (@ARiggs) : My family and I (8 of us!) went to Alaska (Seward and Homer) and had an amazing trip! It was the last state that I needed to visit to see all 50, and I definitely saved the best for last! Alaska is beautiful! We went ziplining, fishing, went on a wildlife cruise, rode a train, and so much more. The bottom picture is a view of the Homer Spit from the house we rented. The top photo is from our fishing trip in Homer. It's my stepson and me with two of the halibuts that we caught.
Gail Massari (@gail_massari) : I spent part of my vacation babysitting for my granddaughter, Kennedy King, in Dallas. Lots of museums, six-year-old girls climbing on me and breathing in my face, swim parks, biking, scootering, walking to Dollar Tree (who knew it would be such a treat?), hanging out at home cooking with her mom (my older daughter), Kyla. I wasn't able to do this as planned last summer, so hooray!!!
Volker Kraft (@volker_kraft) : First trip after 18 months: Visiting Roussillion in beautiful Southern France (thanks for the tip, Paolo (@paolo_chiappa)!).
Roger Alford (@roger_alford) : Mackinac Island is a tiny island between Michigan and Canada. It doesn't allow cars, so the only modes of transportation are horses and bicycles. It's just like stepping back in time. The island is most famous for the Grand Hotel (bottom picture), built in 1887. And fudge. There are fudge shops everywhere! It was also the filming location for Somewhere in Time (1980), starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.
Robin Moran (@robin_moran) : Lake Lure - View of Chimney Rock, NC.
Norhidayah binti Mat Rahim (@IdaRahim) : Due to high Covid-19 cases reported daily in Malaysia, we decided to have zero-risk picnic/holiday at home (front yard).
Academic Ambassador Ross Metusalem (@Ross_Metusalem) and wife, Liz, enjoy a "babymoon" before the birth of their first child at the beach in Marco Island, FL.
Alexander Beck (@alexbeck) : We've been on a 6000km road trip to Estonia in our Russian 4x4 campervan. Traveling up the Russian border to Ivangorod (the castle in the picture). And back on the seaside of the Baltic Sea with stunning wilderness camps.
Meg Eberle (@Meg_Hermes) : A visit to Geldingadalir volcano in Iceland last April.
Amy Stuart (@AmyStuart) : A couple of years ago, I decided I needed a new hobby. After careful consideration, I landed on weaving. But weaving isn't something you can teach yourself over a weekend. It's kind of complicated and you need...a loom. So I've been going to workshops to learn the basics. I just came back from a week in New Hampshire (a 15-hour drive from Raleigh -- each way -- in case you were wondering). Not only did I come back with a colorful wrap and some samples of different patterns, I came home with a loom (which can all be seen in this photo). I guess I have a new hobby.
Jordan Hiller (@Jordan_Hiller) : Fly fishing for cutthroat trout on the storied Blackfoot River in Montana.
Carla Paquet (@carla_paquet1) : Enjoying outdoor living with my daughter.
Larry LaRusso (@Larry_LaRusso) : In May, the LaRusso family took a whitewater rafting trip on the French Broad River in the NC mountains. In August, Matt and I took a trip to Washington DC to take in a Nationals game and visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Air & Space Museum.
Brian Corcoran (@briancorcoran) : Family trip to Sedona in May. My older son Kevin, his girlfriend Sara, younger son Kyle and a friend Matt, and my wife Christie.
Anne Milley (@anne_milley : While in Portland, ME, we met a husky pup that looked a lot like our Luna. Watching them do the secret husky handshake was one of the highlights of our vacation.
Britta Schnitzer (@Britta) : Britta's over-water bungalow at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Resort/ Maledives.
Nina Chan (@nina_chan) : My daughter Charlotte taking in the view in Geiranger, Norway.
Alicia Song (@Anonymous) : I went to XiAn in June, the ancient city used to be Chinese capital 1000 years ago. The Tang Dynasty dress was very famous so I rented a dress and the makeup artist did this very traditional hairstyle and makeup for me. I also hired a photographer to take some pictures of me. The light and ancient buildings were so beautiful and stunning in the night, definitely a night to remember.
Mia Stephens (@mia_stephens) : Mia Stephens and niece Jade at Turtle Beach in Florida.
Jason Wiggins (@Jason_Wiggins) : Road trip through four national parks - Chaco Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend. Pic is my wife relaxing at our first camp spot in Big Bend.
Alisa Hunt-Lowery (@alisa_h_lowery) : Braving the Florida heat in July with these thrill seekers.
Martin Demel (@martindemel) : 6 a.m. at an Italian beach. Condividi l'amore e sii eccitato!
