Book a vacation rental home and start planning your next great Michigan vacation today!

Who wants a fun way to be healthier? Perhaps now more than ever, we’re aware of all the things we need to juggle in order to keep our bodies and minds healthy. Health experts frequently remind us to exercise enough, eat the right foods, get all of the right vitamins and minerals, drink enough water, and somehow find time to relax. It can feel like a very impossible to do list!

But what if you knew that scientific studies actually support the claim that vacations can improve your health? Vacations are fun! It’s a lot more exciting (we think) to add “plan a vacation” to your list instead of “eat more broccoli” or “stop eating so much ice cream”!

Below, you’ll find six science-backed health benefits of taking a vacation.

6 Ways Vacations Will Make You Healthier 

According to the US Travel Association, Americans left 786 million unused vacation days in 2018. Since the United States’ “grind culture” exalts the virtues of working nonstop, it’s no surprise that many of us are reluctant to take time off from work for vacations. However, more and more esteemed organizations like Forbes are pointing out that working all the time is unreasonable. Alternatively, it’s better to work smarter – by getting ample rest and returning to work to perform smarter and more efficiently.

1. Vacations help reset the sleep cycle and promote better sleep even after you return home.

We all enjoy feeling well-rested, but sleep deprivation is a common problem. Stress and anxiety  can make insomnia worse, but a vacation is a good way to address the problem. In a fascinating study conducted by New Zealand Air, participants wore monitors on their wrists to measure the quality of sleep both before, during, and after a vacation. Researchers found that vacationers started sleeping at least one hour longer after just two or three days of vacation. And those longer nights of rest lasted even after the vacation, too.

Staying in a comfortable vacation rental home is a great way to catch some extra zs. Especially if you’ve been stuck in a rut – the new setting and bed is a great way to “reset” your mind as you prepare to wind down each night!

2. Studies show that vacations promote a healthier heart.

This study from the Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine shows that middle-aged men with a high risk for coronary heart disease were able to reduce their risk of death by taking more vacations. And again, another study suggests that women who take regular periods of rest and relaxation each year have a lower risk of heart attack.

3. You can improve your brain power and creativity by spending time living in a brand new place.

Looking to boost your creative brain power? In the article entitled “For a More Creative Brain, Travel,” author Brent Crane examines the benefits of living in a foreign country. In it, he discusses a variety of different studies conducted by neuroscientists and researchers.

The emphasis of these studies is how the vacation time is spent and its effect on creativity. Vacationers lounging by the pool all day may not experience a large burst in creativity. However, vacationers who “live like the locals,” or immerse themselves in the everyday life of the locals, open up the creative possibilities in their brain. This translates into more creative output. For example, in this fascinating study, Adam Galinsky found a link between creative directors of fashion houses who traveled abroad more frequently and higher-rated, more creative fashion lines throughout their careers.

4. Vacations may help reduce depression and other mental health problems.

In one fascinating scientific study, researchers in Sweden found that Swedes consumed less antidepressants during times when a higher percentage of the population had time for vacation. This implies that when more people have time for themselves to rest, relax, and engage meaningfully with loved ones during vacation, the less they suffer from mental health problems.

5. The basic act of planning a vacation can make you happier!

Researchers in this study observed the happiness levels of vacationers throughout the process of planning a vacation, taking the vacation, and returning to normal life. Researchers found that vacationers are happier in general than people who do not take vacations. Interestingly, vacationers were at their peak happiness levels when they were simply planning their vacations! While their happiness levels were generally higher for many days after the vacation, it is the planning phase that pleases most people.

If you need some inspiration for planning a vacation in West Michigan, you should check out 4 Unique Michigan State Parks near Unsalted Vacation Rentals and Shake Off Winter with a Lake Michigan Spring Getaway.

6. Your body and mind need you to take a break from the office! The longer, the better.

Another study reveals that a four-night vacation lowered stress and improved feelings of well-being in participants. These effects were observable as long as 45 days after the vacation! Interestingly, taking a vacation in a different environment enhances these benefits.

A second study published in The Journal of Happiness Studies focused on the benefits of a longer, fourteen day vacation. Scientists found that the health and wellness benefits of a vacation peak on the eighth day.

As you’re probably aware, reducing stress is a multi-faceted health benefit. It’s a great way to prevent burnout and improve mental health. But stress reduction can also ease chronic pain and make chronic conditions feel more manageable. Lowering your stress can also improve heart health, enhance sleep quality, and help you perform more efficiently when you do return to work! Check out How to Plan an Epic Self Care Vacation for inspiration.

Next Steps: Consider a Vacation in Michigan!

It can be tempting to believe that overworking yourself will increase your productivity – but the opposite is actually true. As we’ve discussed, scientists support some rather life-changing benefits of taking vacations! If you have a friend who needs a friendly reminder that it’s okay to take a break, make sure to share this article with them. Who knows? Perhaps a simple conversation is all the inspiration you need to begin planning the next vacation of your dreams!

Check out our extensive inventory of vacation rentals located all along the west coast of Michigan. Use the blue chat icon in the bottom corner of the screen to chat with an Escape Artist today!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter for regular updates on available vacation rentals in Michigan.

Working Vacations are Here to Stay

Many in-office workers began working remotely at home at the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic in March 2020. Now, many of those workers are still working from home. If you’ve switched to working from home, you’re likely taking advantage of the many benefits of remote work. Wearing pajamas, doing laundry between meetings, and having your pets nearby are just a few of the amazing perks.

But being at home all the time can wear on even the most enthusiastic remote worker. Which is why “working vacations” are becoming increasingly popular.

What is a Working Vacation?

Before we jump into the hows and whys of working vacations, let’s define what a “working vacation” is. It seems like an oxymoron at first. After all, isn’t the whole point of vacation to leave work behind? Well, yes! But also, no.

Ideally, you’ll have a few vacations each year that allow you to leave work 100% behind. This is important and necessary because everybody needs periods of complete relaxation. But the idea of a working vacation is that, as a remote worker, you can travel more frequently. During a working vacation, you set aside time during your typical work days to work. But once you’re done with work each day, vacation begins! This is a great way to shake up your day-to-day routine.

6 Benefits of Changing Up Your Remote Work Environment

Working vacations are just plain good for you! Here are some compelling reasons why.

1. Working remotely, and traveling in general, is great for your personal growth and development. New environments expose you to new experiences and perspectives.

2. Working vacations always have the potential to become professional networking opportunities. Remember to stay open to the possibility of meeting new people as you explore your vacation town and surrounding areas, whether you’re at a ski resort or touring a local art gallery. At the very least, you can make some new friends in a different corner of the world.

3. If you want to improve your overall mood, changing your surroundings can work wonders for morale. Treating yourself to a comfortable vacation home in an interesting location is a great way to escape your home. (Chances are, if you have been working from home for years, you’re ready for a change of scenery!)

4. Luckily, working vacations are easier on the wallet than traditional vacations. Since you’re still earning an income while you’re away, it’s typically easier to find room in your budget for an extra getaway.

5. Do you want to improve your health? According to Forbes, vacations can improve your heart health and help you sleep better at night.

6. Working vacations help you step away from the stress of daily chores. It’s only natural to have a running checklist of things to do around the house, especially when you’re working in your home daily. But the visual reminder of things to fix, clean, or reorganize can be stressful. Why not step away for a week or two?

The benefits never end!  Now find out why you need to come to Michigan.

Why West Michigan is the Ideal Remote Work Destination

You can take working vacations almost anywhere (given you have access to internet service, of course). And there are many reasons to consider adding West Michigan to your itinerary.

You’ll love the unparalleled views of Lake Michigan from Overlook Nook, a 4-bedroom cottage in Holland.

1. West Michigan is bursting with natural beauty all year round. The clean lakes and beaches are perfect for relaxing in warm weather. Healing woods with trails are perfect for hiking in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

And when it snows, there’s no shortage of opportunities to snowboard, snowshoe, ski, and sled.

If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, there’s something for you in Michigan.

2. Enjoy the best of both worlds: embrace small town living while still having easy access to larger cities. Quiet towns dot the west coast of Michigan, providing plenty of secluded vacation spots along the lake. However, these towns are just a short drive from the thriving metropolis of Grand Rapids. And you can even take a day trip to Chicago via Amtrak!

3. There are plenty of things to see and do! Once you clock out for the day, you can explore the amazing shops, museums, art galleries, and varied attractions in each town. Not to mention eat at the exceptional local eateries and breweries.

4. We have amazing vacation rental homes and cottages to choose from. Perhaps you want a home with a hot tub. Or maybe a Lake Michigan view is your main priority. Whatever floats your boat, BVW Unsalted Vacations has a wide range of available rentals to accommodate groups of all sizes and budgets.

How to Get the Most of Your Remote Working Vacations

It’s wise to mindfully plan ahead so that you can get the most out of your working vacation. As you plan your getaway, make sure to keep the following points in mind.

1. Choose a vacation rental  instead of a hotel. Because they tend to be more comfortable and homey, short term vacation rentals may be a more comfortable option than a hotel. Plus, pet-friendly vacation home rentals mean you can bring your four legged friend along with you!

2. Schedule your “work time” and your “vacation time.” This is an especially important tip for anyone who struggles with overworking themselves! Try to get your work done at the same time each day, if possible. As best you can, create a schedule. When the work day is done, close your laptop and mentally prepare yourself to relax.

Grand Landing #304, a four bed/three bath condo in Grand Haven, features an office space as well as a built-in slide and amazing rock climbing wall.

3. Travel with other remote workers. Perhaps you really need some solitude. However, if you live alone, scheduling a working vacation with friends who also work from home is a fabulous way to create some community while you work! You’ll have plenty of room to work in your vacation rental home. But you’ll also have friends to vacation with as soon as you officially log off work each day.

4. If you’re traveling with kids, choose your location wisely. Many vacation rental homes have kids’ playrooms or outdoor play equipment. Try to find a home with plenty of space for the kids to play while you work.

5. Book a long enough trip to balance and rest without feeling rushed. Going out to eat, exploring local tourist attractions, and getting the most out of your vacation rental home takes time. It takes even longer when you are working during your vacation, so try to reserve at least a week. This gives you time to settle into a routine and perform well at work while getting the most out of your vacation experience.

Book a Vacation Rental Today and Start Planning Your Remote Work Getaway!

If you’d like a vacation rental with a desk for your next remote working vacation, then consider Sandy Shores Lookout. The lakefront views are unforgettable, and there’s plenty of space. Another great option is Grand Landing #304. This is a condo in Grand Haven with a built-in slide for kids.  If you’re looking for a larger rental, Park House offers eight bedrooms and a comfortable office on the main floor.

You can view our full list of short term rentals here. If you want to narrow down your search, simply check-in/checkout dates and a desired location in Michigan. Our escape artists are also here, seven days a week, to help you find the best rental for your needs. Use the blue chat icon in the corner of the screen to start a conversation and start planning your next great getaway.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter for regular updates on available vacation rentals in Michigan!

Celebrating Vacation Rental Week: March 6-10, 2023

BVW Unsalted Vacations is thrilled to participate in the fourth annual Vacation Rental Management Week! Professionally–managed vacation rentals provide value and benefits for guests and property owners alike. This celebration of Vacation Rental Week is our chance to highlight these benefits. We also want to encourage you to book a stay or entrust your vacation property to a professional vacation rental property manager.

How do vacation rentals benefit guests?

As a guest, vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotels in every aspect. This is because they offer far more than a hotel. The additional benefits include extra living space, privacy, convenience, and amenities. Vacation rentals also present you with a unique opportunity to create a more personalized, memorable vacation experience.

You’ll have the practical comfort of an actual residence, the ability to explore the neighborhood, and the opportunity to discover aspects of your destination you might not encounter when staying
at a hotel. If you’re vacationing with family, vacation rentals are an excellent option, since they typically offer multiple bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and easy access to local entertainment.

How does vacation rental management benefit property owners?

Safely renting your space as a property owner through a professional manager can be an easy and reliable revenue source, transforming it into an asset that offers a significant return on your
investment. You’ll also be able to use the property when you choose, spending your own vacations there with family, while renting it to guests the rest of the year. A professional vacation rental manager will handle all the logistics. A vacation rental manager will also secure responsible guests, and maximize your return through an expert understanding of the industry. The in–depth knowledge of the local community is also a huge plus. Vacation rental managers also handle cleaning the property to the highest standards, advertise, inquiries, collecting deposits and balances, generating agreements, and following up post–rental. In other words, you can sit back and simply enjoy the experience while we take care of the rest.

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BVW Unsalted Vacations is one of Michigan’s largest vacation rental management companies. You can see our online brochure here. Our footprint stretches along the lakeshore from South Haven all the way to Manistee. Additionally, we provide many unique benefits for property owners, including marketing, staging, reservations, cleaning services, interior design, maintenance, and more.

We provide many unique benefits for property owners:

• Unlike some seasonal companies, our full-time staff is present twelve months a year.
• Additionally, BVW Unsalted Vacations offers a full-time maintenance staff of over 20 skilled technicians.
• Our guest call center is open 9am until midnight, seven days a week during peak season.
• All guests are required to purchase a damage waiver that covers up to $5,000 in damages.
• Best of all, the start-up costs to you are minimal. We cover marketing costs and provide hotel-grade sheets, a starter supply of toiletries and cleaning products, bath towels and beach towels for every guest. 

How You Can Connect

Finding a vacation rental to book or a professional manager to represent your property is fast and easy. Our friends at the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) provide a free search tool  to locate property managers and their available properties worldwide. For property management in Michigan, please contact BVW Unsalted Vacations via our website form, or email us at [email protected].

Find a vacation rental manager for your property and get started in this exciting industry today!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter for regular updates on available vacation rentals in Michigan!