Studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and mental health benefits. However, in this part of the world, people just don’t use up their vacation time. A lot of people cancel or postpone their vacation time because of real or perceived work obligations. Most people are afraid of being replaced. Frankly, taking up a week or two is not going to be the determining factor as to whether you get fired or not and actually comes with more advantages than disadvantages. Here are some benefits of taking time away from work:
1. Improved physical & mental health.
Stress can contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure. Studies have shown that taking a vacation every two years compared to every six years will lessen the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks. Also, stress causes anxiety and depression. When you take a vacation, feelings of calm arise and relieve stress, which allows the body and mind to heal in ways that it couldn’t if it were still under pressure.
2. Increased Productivity & Focus.
Everyone has their limits and pushing yourself too far can actually become counterproductive. Studies find chronic stress can affect the part of the brain that inhibits goal-directed activities and causes problems with memory. Continuous work with no breaks or vacation time can make people feel blocked and distracted and have problems concentrating. Surveys show that people who took vacation time regularly felt more energized and ready to tackle the tasks at hand.
3. Improved family relationships
While career aspirations are an important focus, the relationships with those closest to you are also of paramount importance. If you’re constantly logging long hours with no breaks, the important people in your life may begin to feel less important or even neglected. Spending time enjoying life with loved ones can help keep relationships strong. A study found that women who took vacations were more satisfied with their marriages.
4. It’s good for your customers.
This point is directed to employers and business owners. We need to learn to give our employees a break for our own good. Stressed-out employees don’t always provide the best customer service! Employees who are engaged and feel like they are being looked after are much more likely to provide your customers with a positive experience which in turn will work wonders for your word-of-mouth marketing.
5. Boosted Happiness
Research shows planning a vacation can boost your happiness. Some people experience an elevated mood up to eight weeks before the trip. Boosted happiness is equal to a boosted productivity and brilliant ideas for the workplace! When we allow ourselves to relax and experience the joy that comes with taking a break, we open creative parts of our minds that we may not always be using on a day-to-day basis. Bringing this inspiration back to the workplace could lead to new and creative ways of doing things and solving problems.
In summary, take a vacation if you can. When you take time away from the stresses of work and daily life, it can improve your physical and mental health, relationships, job performance and perspective. A vacation can help you feel refreshed and more prepared to handle whatever comes when you return.
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