Vacation or Die – Literally
Oh, look! It’s me… And, the little-bitty Hollywood sign.
Growing up, my dad was very much like Clark Griswold in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. He’d let the work and home and life stress build up for a full year and let it all out in a hail of going and doing and seeing: The Family Vacation.
I used to think that he just wanted to get away from my mom’s never-ending list of home-improvement projects. While that may have been part of it, there’s hidden wisdom in taking a yearly vacation that I only recently came to understand.
My husband and I just got back from our first vacation together (or, more accurately, a belated honeymoon). It was 10 amazing days that took us from San Francisco down the California coast to Los Angeles. There were sea animals, scenery, and celebrities – and even an earthquake that woke us from a sound sleep. But beyond the excitement of going and doing and seeing, coming back to work, I’m more focused, relaxed, and, well, feel damned amazing.
The average U.S. worker gets 14 days of vacation each year (less than any other developed nation, but that’s a whole other topic), but only a third of them actually take a vacation.
Americans’ steadfast dedication to work may sound like a good thing, but the reality of not taking a vacation is that it’s killing our productivity – and killing us.
Vacations are good for your mental health. Studies show that women who don’t take regular vacations are up to three times more likely to suffer from depression.
Vacations are good for your heart. Men who take regular vacations are 32 percent less likely to die of heart attacks – and 21 percent less likely to die early. With women, they’re 50 percent less likely to have a heart attack.
Vacations are good for your health. Stress it the enemy of a healthy immune system. The stress-reducing benefits of vacations can lower your risk of suffering from everything from irritable bowel syndrome to migraine headaches.
Vacations make you more productive. We all know that the best way to solve a difficult problem is to step away from it for a while. Well, a vacation allows you to do just that. Plus, reduced stress and increased sleep help improve your decision-making abilities.
Vacations have lasting effects. A few days away can have positive effects for weeks. Studies show that the mood-enhancing effects associated with planning and taking a vacation can last up to 8 weeks before the actual trip.
Now, I’m not saying that you should take an epic road trip or hop the next flight out to Europe – vacations can get real expensive real fast – but taking a step back, even for a few days, can improve more than just your photo albums.
Fresh from a recent vacation, our Jill of All Trades has some sound advice to share this week. Have the best work ethic around? Snaps for you. Oh? But you can’t remember the last time you took some time off? No bueno.
Like what Aimee has to say? Comment below or email her directly!
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