Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about taking a trip and leaving your responsibilities behind for just a short while? Well, a vacation may just be the perfect way to use your remaining days of paid time off before the year ends, plus it can help boost your overall health.
While the majority of employees in the U.S. receive some sort of paid time off each year, there are still many Americans who don’t take full advantage of this benefit.
Time off is often what employees need to recharge and recover from job-related stress, which can impact your immune, cardiovascular, digestive and sleep systems. Prolonged exposure to pressure or tension at work may also put strain on your body, which, in serious cases, may lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or other physical and mental disorders. In fact, researchers at Syracuse University have found that those who vacation more frequently over the course of a year had a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Taking time away from that daily stress allows your mind and body to reset. When people are on vacation, they report feeling more relaxed, they’re able to stop thinking about work and even sleep better.
Upon returning to work, employees tend to find themselves in a better mood and feeling more energized and motivated throughout the day.
Taking steps to reduce your stress may contribute to a wide range of long-term health benefits, such as:
- A longer life span
- Lower rates of depression
- Greater resistance to the common cold
- Control of your weight
- Less muscle tension
Don’t miss your chance to use up any remaining paid time off, and consider taking a well-deserved vacation that can give you a break from every day stressors while benefiting your physical, mental and emotional health.