Vacation a Want or a Need? The Health and Wellness Benefits of Vacations

                                                                    Is Taking a Vacation a Want or a Need?

                                     “A need is something that you have to have. A want is something you would like to have.”

Health and other benefits of taking a vacation:


Live longer
A New York University’s survey found that men who took annual vacations reduced their risk of death by 20 percent. Men who didn’t take any vacations in five years had the highest death rate and incidence of heart disease than any other men surveyed.


Improve your mental health

A study by Wisconsin Medical Journal found that women who took frequent vacations were less likely to become depressed, tense, or tired. Women who rarely took vacations were likelier to have stress at home and sleep less.


Revamp your relationships

I don’t have any fancy studies to back this one up, it’s just common sense. A real vacation is the ideal time to reconnect and revitalize relationships that have taken a toll from an on-call, always-on, and work-obsessed culture. My 9-hour work days and blogging duties have caused my relationships to suffer more than I’d like to admit. Yes, I too need a vacation.

Recapture your childhood


Gain self confidence
“Don’t put yourself on sale.” This is a favorite mantra from financial guru Suze Orman. While Suze’s target audience is directed to women, the advice applies to everyone. When you skip vacations, you put yourself on sale. If you have 2-weeks of paid vacation and don’t use them, you’re essentially working for free. By committing to a vacation, you declare to yourself (and to others) that you are important and deserve dedicated time for yourself.

Find creative inspiration


Become more productive


Vacations Relieve Stress in Lasting Ways:

“ It should come as no surprise that vacations that include plenty of free time bring stress relief, but research shows that a good vacation can lead to the experience of fewer stressful days at least five weeks later! That means that vacations are the gift to yourself that keep on giving.”

So, is vacation a want or a need!  Let us know what you think!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/24/vacation.mental.benefits/index.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111887591
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/vacations-2011-time-off-improves-productivity-reducing-stress/story?id=14293331#.T8ee2LBSRS4
What Are the Benefits of Taking a Vacation? Chris Blank, Demand Media  http://traveltips.usatoday.com/benefits-taking-vacation-1755.html
The Importance of Vacations, for Stress Relief, Productivity and Health.  Vacations Are Important For More Than Just Fun... Elizabeth Scott, M.S.,