There is something about summer that lifts almost everyone’s mood. The days are longer, the light is different and the body seems to work better. It is not just a feeling: science has been explaining for years why summer suits us so well, and the reasons are more concrete than we might think.
If you combine all of that with a romantic getaway in the heart of nature, the effect multiplies. And there are few places where you feel it as strongly as in the Guadalest Valley.
What the sun does to the brain and why it matters for mental health
Sunlight has a direct effect on the brain. When the eyes perceive natural light outdoors, the brain regulates the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with wellbeing, calm and good mood. More light means more serotonin. That is why the long days of summer have that almost immediate effect on how we feel.
Then there is vitamin D. Sun exposure activates its synthesis in the skin, and adequate vitamin D levels are directly linked to emotional wellbeing, energy and the reduction of symptoms associated with anxiety and fatigue. In winter, most people are deficient without knowing it. In summer, the body naturally recovers that balance.
You do not need to do anything special. Just being outdoors, getting light and letting the body do its thing is enough.
Why are we happier in summer
Light and vitamin D are only part of the explanation. Summer also slows the pace down. Afternoons stretch out, plans are made on a whim and there is finally space to breathe.
That free time is not just pleasant — it is necessary. People who truly rest during the summer have better mental health throughout the year, greater capacity for concentration and lower levels of chronic stress.
Summer also encourages movement, contact with nature and connection with the people who matter. Three factors that positive psychology consistently identifies as pillars of emotional wellbeing. And ones that, as a couple in a natural setting, feel completely different.
The impact of nature on our mood
If summer already has a positive effect on mental health, surrounding yourself with nature amplifies it. Various studies show that spending time in natural environments reduces cortisol levels, improves sleep quality and promotes a calmer, more receptive state of mind.
Contact with nature activates what researchers call “restorative attention”: the brain’s ability to recover energy and mental clarity when it stops processing artificial stimuli. Screens, noise, urgency. All of that disappears when you are in a truly natural environment, whether walking through the area, hiking or simply sitting with views over the valley.
In the Guadalest Valley, less than an hour from the coast, that environment exists. Mountains, silence, clean air and a horizon that has nothing in common with the city.
Plans to do as a couple that truly recharge you
A summer couple getaway does not have to be complicated. What matters most is not the destination itself, but the quality of the shared time. And that depends, to a great extent, on the setting.
The best things to do as a couple in summer are the ones that allow you to enjoy each other without a packed agenda: a walk through the valley, a quiet hiking trail, a night at the spa or simply staying on the terrace watching the light change. Simple plans that surprise your partner without the need for a frantic itinerary.
A nature hotel with open views, a pool, good food and real silence is the perfect plan for this kind of getaway. Ideal for couples who need to stop and reconnect.
VIVOOD: one of the best charming hotels for a romantic summer getaway
VIVOOD Landscape Hotel, in Benimantell (Alicante), is one of those charming hotels designed exactly for this kind of escape. Integrated into the landscape of the Sierra de Aitana, with suites that open onto the valley, a pool with panoramic views and a wellness offering designed to let body and mind truly slow down.
The light in the Guadalest Valley in summer is special. The mornings are long, the afternoons invite you to linger on the terrace and the nights are cool and full of stars. Living a unique experience in this setting is, according to everything science tells us, exactly what body and mind need at this time of year.
For those looking for nature hotels in Spain for the summer, VIVOOD is one of those options that does not disappoint. Not because it has everything, but because it has what matters.
A summer you feel long after it ends
The effect of summer on wellbeing does not disappear when September arrives. People who have truly rested, who have spent time outdoors and who have shared quality time with the people they love return to their routines with more energy, more clarity and a better mood.
A well-chosen couple plan is not an indulgence. It is an investment in emotional wellbeing with effects that last far longer than the holiday itself. A romantic getaway in the heart of nature, at one of Alicante’s most charming hotels, can be exactly that: the reset you both needed.
At VIVOOD we know this. That is why every detail is designed so that the time you spend here truly counts.
Because summer passes quickly. But what is lived slowly is remembered always.
FAQs: frequently asked questions about wellbeing, summer and couple getaways
Why does summer improve our mood?
Sunlight regulates the production of serotonin, the hormone associated with wellbeing and good mood. Add to that the synthesis of vitamin D, which directly influences emotional balance and energy levels. The result is that in summer, almost without doing anything special, body and mind simply work better.
What are the best things to do as a couple in summer in Alicante?
The interior of Alicante offers options very different from beach tourism: hiking trails through the Sierra de Aitana, horse riding through the Guadalest Valley, visits to local wineries or simply resting in a charming hotel surrounded by nature. VIVOOD brings all of that together in one place.
What should a hotel offer for a romantic summer getaway?
Privacy, a natural setting, good food and spaces designed for real rest. It does not need to have everything, but what it does have should be done well. VIVOOD Landscape Hotel, in Benimantell, is a good example: architecture integrated into the landscape, suites with views over the valley and a wellness offering that makes you want to stay.
What should a hotel offer for a romantic summer getaway?
Privacy, a natural setting, good food and spaces designed for real rest. It does not need to have everything, but what it does have should be done well. VIVOOD Landscape Hotel, in Benimantell, is a good example: architecture integrated into the landscape, suites with views over the valley and a wellness offering that makes you want to stay.
