✈️ Why We Love Holidays – And How to Bring That Feeling Home

There’s something undeniably magical about going on holiday.

Maybe it’s the scent of sunscreen and salt air. The feeling of walking barefoot a little more. Or the way time slows down when you’re sipping coffee with nowhere you have to be. Holidays give us permission to breathe differently, think differently, be differently.

But what exactly is it about travel that feels so liberating—and why does it feel so hard to access that same freedom in everyday life?

And for women in particular, why does this kind of space matter so deeply?

🌍 What Happens in the Body and Brain When You Travel

Travel is more than a break from routine—it’s a full-body recalibration. Here’s why:

Novelty lights up the brain

Our brains are wired to respond to new experiences. Novelty triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter linked to reward, motivation, and learning. Even the anticipation of a trip can boost your mood and energy.

The nervous system softens

When you’re away from constant demands, the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s "rest, digest, and repair" mode—finally comes online. This allows stress hormones to lower, sleep to improve, and your body to shift from survival mode into healing and regulation.

Space allows for emotional integration

Holidays create psychological and physical space. That space activates the brain’s default mode network—the part responsible for self-reflection and emotional processing. It’s why holidays often come with clarity, creativity, and surprising insight.

🎨 Creativity, Anxiety & the Need for Spaciousness

Modern research shows a powerful link between creativity and anxiety—especially for women.

When we’re constantly under pressure, multitasking, or stuck in hyper-responsibility mode, the brain’s stress response blocks access to creativity. Cortisol rises. The amygdala (your threat detector) stays on high alert. The nervous system becomes preoccupied with survival—not self-expression.

It’s no wonder so many women feel stuck, uninspired, or disconnected from their creativity when life gets overwhelming.

But here’s the key:
Creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a sign that your nervous system feels safe.

Holidays naturally invite that safety. As stress hormones lower and space opens up, the brain shifts gears. The prefrontal cortex (linked to imagination and possibility) becomes more active, and suddenly we can play, dream, and reconnect with parts of ourselves we may have lost touch with.

🌸 Why Women Especially Need This Kind of Reset

Women often carry an invisible load: caregiving, emotional labour, multitasking, performing, achieving, nurturing others while constantly overriding their own nervous systems.

We’ve been conditioned to keep going, to prioritise everyone else, to feel guilty for resting—and it’s burning us out.

Modern neuroscience now confirms what ancient wisdom has long taught: women’s nervous systems are deeply sensitive, cyclical, and relational. When chronically stressed, disconnected, or depleted, it’s not just our mood that suffers—it’s our immune function, hormonal balance, cognitive clarity, and our sense of self.

Holidays give women something they rarely claim in everyday life: permission to pause.

They remind us what it feels like to be in our bodies, to reconnect with joy, to feel pleasure and presence without needing to justify it.

They also help us reconnect with the people who matter most. Whether it’s your partner, your children, a friend—or even your own inner voice—travel opens up space for deeper presence and intimacy. And for many women, that connection is the real fuel we’ve been missing.

But here’s the truth: we shouldn’t have to leave the country to access this kind of regulation and reconnection (although that’s so fun!).

We need to build it into our everyday lives—on our own terms, in our own rhythm.

✨ 5 Ways to Bring the Holiday Feeling Into Your Daily Life

1. Curate micro-adventures

You don’t need to fly overseas to experience something new. Seek out novelty in your own neighbourhood—visit a beach you’ve never walked on, attend a pottery class, explore a farmer’s market. These small adventures light up the brain and remind you of the richness that’s always available.

Why? Novelty enhances neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and grow. It’s energising, especially for women navigating big life transitions or emotional stagnation.

2. Build “buffer zones” into your day

Women often move from one task to the next without pausing to land. Build 10–20 minute "buffers" between tasks. Stretch. Breathe. Sit in silence. These mini-regulations give your nervous system a chance to reset and reduce overwhelm. (I’ve coached many women to literally timetable 10-15 minute breaks as a ‘thing’ in their diaries).

3. Engage your senses like you’re on holiday

On holidays we naturally pay attention. At home, we rush past it all. Slow down. Feel the water on your hands as you wash. Breathe in the scent of your tea. Move your body like a ritual, not a routine. Sensory presence helps women feel grounded and safe.

4. Reclaim boundaries with tech

One of the biggest nervous system drains for women? Constant connectivity. Set boundaries with your phone—no screens first thing or before bed, tech-free meals, or scheduled offline time. Protect your energy like you would on a retreat.

5. Turn routines into rituals

Reframe ordinary moments. Add candles to your evening bath. Create a playlist that makes morning emails feel softer. Journal before sleep. Rituals help us feel rooted and radiant—two things many women deeply crave.

💌 A Note from Me to You

From June 6 to July 18, I’ll be travelling overseas—a mix of rest, exploration, and nervous system nourishment. I’ll still be active on social media and checking emails when I can, so please feel free to reach out if you need support, inspiration, or just want to connect.

While I’m away, I encourage you to take a breath and ask yourself:
What would it feel like to bring more space, creativity, and softness into your everyday life?

This isn’t about “self-care” as another thing on your list. It’s about remembering that your wellbeing matters.
And you deserve to live like every day holds a little of that holiday magic.

With love, spaciousness, and deep respect,
Kate 🌿