Chapter 1: Embracing the Workation Trend

The concept of a workation had crossed my mind numerous times, yet I never acted on it. Five years ago, I believed such experiences were reserved for a select few—those with flexible employers or successful freelancers. However, the landscape has shifted, and working remotely from beautiful locations has become increasingly common. My employer introduced a workation policy last year, making it feasible to enjoy a sunny workweek in winter—a dream that now feels attainable.

When a colleague suggested a week working in Spain, I didn’t think twice. After all, I had endured three consecutive years of the dreary, rainy winters in Amsterdam, where gloomy weather seems to prevail 99.9% of the time.

After a brief comparison of flight options, we settled on Seville—an ideal choice. The city is vibrant, culturally rich, offers delicious cuisine, is budget-friendly, and boasts a delightful 23-degree climate. What more could one wish for?

Five days later, we found ourselves on a sunlit terrace, savoring tapas and enjoying the scent of ripe oranges wafting through the air. It felt like a different world.

Section 1.1: The Contrasts Between Amsterdam and Seville

What set Seville apart from Amsterdam? The contrasts were striking despite just a three-hour flight:

• Temperature: While Amsterdam hovered below 10 degrees Celsius, Seville basked in temperatures exceeding 20 degrees. It was t-shirt weather in the midst of winter—pure bliss!
• Sunlight Hours: After enduring months of minimal sunlight, the 11 hours of daily sunshine in Seville felt like a rejuvenation. We took full advantage, rising early during the week to soak up the midday sun, while weekends found me outdoors, fully embracing every moment of brightness.
• Pace of Life: In Amsterdam, the fast-paced lifestyle often feels overwhelming. In contrast, Seville embodies "tranquilo," where life flows at a more leisurely pace, significantly reducing stress levels.
• Cuisine: The diverse and delectable southern Spanish cuisine was a highlight—one moment we relished local manchego cheese with olives, and the next, we were enjoying a fresh seafood paella.
• Social Connections: Interactions ranged from deep conversations to shared laughter, and working closely with a colleague turned out to be a rewarding experience. We even participated in a local carnival, enhancing our social ties with the community.

Subsection 1.1.1: Impact on My Health

Chapter 2: Positive Changes in My Health

How did this workation impact my health? Remarkably well, it seems. I noticed positive changes from the very first day:

• Sleep Quality: I fell asleep quickly and remained undisturbed throughout the night. My Whoop tracker indicated that my sleep was exceptionally restorative, likely due to the abundant outdoor time and sunlight.
• Stress Levels: Unlike the stress I often felt after a workday in Amsterdam, I found it easier to gain perspective and manage stress in Seville. Regular breaks and a more relaxed approach to work helped immensely.
• State of Mind: Vitamin D, often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," has well-documented benefits for mood. After enduring months of darkness, the sudden influx of sunlight lifted my spirits, boosted my energy, and sparked my creativity.

The tangible benefits were also evident in my heart rate variability (HRV), which measures the variations between heartbeats and reflects the balance between rest-and-digest and fight-or-flight responses. A higher HRV generally indicates better cardiovascular health and stress resilience.

The results were astounding—my HRV increased by up to 40%. On the final day in Seville, I achieved an average HRV of 128 ms, marking a personal best.