What is holiday learning and why are more people adopting it these days?
Holiday learning is learning something new during the holiday season. Increasingly, people are using their vacations not just to relax, but to combine rest with personal growth and learn something new. It’s your mindset that changes your holiday learning. In everyday life, studying with deadlines and pressure can feel like a chore. But during the holiday season, learning feels lighter. Learn because you want to, not because you have to. There is no stress or strict structure. You can explore at your own pace and enjoy the process.
This change in mindset is why more people are drawn to holiday learning. Don’t just relax, you’ll return to your daily routine feeling refreshed and learn new skills that will last long after the holidays are over. Popular holiday learning options today include short courses lasting just a few days, skills workshops and even travel. Whether it’s a cooking class near you or a week-long trip abroad to practice a new language, holiday learning is a simple, fun, and rewarding opportunity to improve yourself in many ways.
The science behind holiday learning
Why does studying during the holidays seem easier? Because the brain absorbs information better. While traveling, [1] Your mind becomes more alert, curious, and open. When you’re on vacation, your daily habits stop, your environment changes, and your brain has a chance to refresh. This allows you to notice new details, improve your concentration, and remember things more effectively. Simply put, your brain becomes more flexible, improving your ability to adapt and learn.
Another reason holiday learning works is that it lowers stress levels. When you work hard, your brain produces large amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, which makes it difficult to concentrate and remember things. [2] However, during rest, cortisol levels decrease, allowing your brain to relax. With less pressure and distractions, you can focus on learning without feeling overwhelmed.
Positive emotions also play an important role. Holidays create moments of joy, excitement, and curiosity, and these emotions activate the brain’s reward system. [3] This will further motivate you and make the experience more rewarding. When you’re happy and relaxed, learning becomes less of a chore and more fun, and you absorb and remember information more effectively. This is why learning during the holidays feels easier.
Why holiday learning is more effective than daily learning
Breaking away from everyday life increases creativity
Holiday study is effective because it frees you from everyday life. Your day typically follows a pattern: wake up, work, do housework, repeat errands. Although this routine helps you stay organized, it can limit your creativity. But everything changes during the holidays. Meet family and friends, travel to see new places, buy gifts, and have different experiences. This change helps make the brain more flexible. Another important factor is relaxation. For most of us, this is not enough. Whether you’re traveling, shopping, cooking, or meeting with loved ones, relaxing moments allow your mind to wander. This is where creativity grows. People typically come up with their best ideas when they’re relaxed and away from the stress of everyday life.
More time to absorb new skills
In everyday life, we often learn while doing other things. For example, you can watch a tutorial while answering an email, or read something while you’re at work. Multitasking makes it difficult to absorb new information. But during the holiday season, you can remove those distractions and relax. The less things you have in your head, the better your concentration will be. Whether it’s learning to make a new recipe, practicing a language, or attending a workshop, you can focus entirely on one task. When you have a calm mind, you can learn new skills more easily. Plus, you can learn at your own pace. No rush, no pressure, no guilt. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy learning.
Promoting intrinsic motivation
Holiday learning is effective because it allows students to work independently. In everyday life, learning often comes with obligations such as work, deadlines, and responsibilities. But during the holidays, choose what you enjoy learning. This intrinsic motivation makes a big difference. When you’re really interested in something, you’re engaged, curious, and consistent. Learn because you want to, not because you have to. This improves your concentration and helps you remember what you have learned.
Types of holiday learning
skill base
Skills-based holiday learning is popular because it combines fun with personal growth. You can also take part in a Christmas dinner cooking class, have a photo shoot in the beautifully decorated district, visit a Christmas market, join a pottery workshop to create an ornament, or watch a gift wrapping tutorial. Although these activities are fun, your brain treats them as valuable learning experiences. why? These skills stick with you because you are fully present. The holiday season allows you to relax and focus on what you’re doing. When you associate learning with positive emotions such as excitement, curiosity, and joy, your brain creates stronger memories. That’s why many people are still able to recreate its recipes and utilize the photography tips they learned while on vacation.
adventure base
If you like to stay active, adventure-based holiday learning may be perfect for you. Activities like skiing, hiking, exploring, and traveling during the holiday season not only bring excitement, but also create powerful learning experiences. Outdoor activities use both your body and mind. For example, skiing and focusing on your balance or hiking a demanding trail will make you more aware and alert. This will help you better remember what you have learned.
cultural holiday learning
Many people travel abroad during the holidays to explore how different cultures celebrate the season and connect with the people, stories, and traditions. For example, if you’re learning a new language, being surrounded by native speakers is one of the best ways to learn. Simple interactions like ordering food, asking directions, and chatting with locals can help you learn new words faster than using an app. Cultural learning also includes exploring historic sites, attending local festivals, and participating in new traditions. These experiences deepen our understanding of the world. Instead of just reading about a place, you can actually experience it. Sights, sounds, and emotions help you better remember what you’ve learned.
conclusion
Holiday learning stays with you long after the holiday season is over. When you learn new skills during your break, you come back feeling inspired and capable, which naturally increases your productivity, creativity, and confidence. It also builds a mindset of lifelong learning and increases motivation to try new things. As a personal development strategy, holiday learning can help support personal growth, refresh your perspective at work, and improve your overall well-being. If you want to make your holidays even more meaningful this year, consider adding in a small learning experience. You’ll be surprised at the long-term benefits.
References:
[1] How do tourism memories enhance creativity? The role of openness to experience
[2] Cortisol and brain health: How chronic stress affects cognition and memory
[3] Positive mood enhances reward-related neural activity
