Are you feeling overwhelmed by work or is your work-life balance out of whack? Have you skipped out on vacation plans this past year? If so, you are not alone. But there are many health benefits to taking vacation time and completely disconnecting from work.

Cut your risk for a heart attack. Taking vacation to get away and spend time with loved ones can lower your blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack. That alone should be a wake-up call.

Reduce stress. Sounds obvious, but it needs to be heard.  Vacations can reduce stress.  Even knowing that a vacation is coming can keep stress at bay.  And studies find that the effects can last beyond the duration of the vacation.

Better sleep. Restless nights and disrupted sleep are common complaints, often stemming from the fact that we simply have too much on our minds.  Taking a vacation can help interrupt the habits that disrupt sleep, like working late on your laptop before bed.

Increase happiness. The first big boost in happiness comes from planning the vacation.  A person can feel the effects up to eight weeks before the trip.  The more active you are with your leisure time, and the more control you have over your free time, the happier and more satisfied you will be.  And when you come back to work, the ‘good vibes’ you bring back from vacation rub off on the people around you, creating a ‘viral happiness pandemic’.  That’s a pandemic we can get behind!

Improve productivity and decrease burnout. You need time to mentally recharge in order to stay sharp and engaged.  Vacations help restock your energy storage, and reduce burnout, making it easier to tackle projects.  Relaxation can also increase your creativity.  You often get those ‘aha’ moments when your mind is relaxed.

As summer approaches, if you’ve been putting off your vacation, think again. Take some time off for your health and wellbeing.  It’s good for everyone!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources