Spring break is upon us (God help us all) and while some people are enjoying a spell at the Happiest Place on Earth, others of us are tied to our homes with a baby and a bank account that are both too small to allow a getaway.

According to research from the University of Nottingham’s Christel De Haan Tourism an Travel Research Institute, though, those families who can least afford a vacation are the ones likely to see the most benefit from it. Dr. Scott McCabe looked at three UK charitable organizations that help send families who are dealing with stressors such as poverty or a child with health challenges on vacation, and found that when the barriers to vacations were overcome the families enjoyed the kind of benefits that most people take for granted.  They included (according to Science Daily):

• Stronger family connection: Working hours, disability or estrangement led to less family time for many respondents. Quality time spent together on their vacation strengthened their family ties.
• A break from daily problems: Many families were facing health issues, neighborhood disputes or the loss of a family member. Going on vacation gave relief from routine, chores and stress.
• Happy memories: More than 80 per cent of respondents said that the biggest benefit of the vacation was the opportunity for fun and happy memories for the children.

McCabe said the findings raised the question whether a vacation is  right or a privilege, citing other European countries’ funding of vacations for working families or older people.