The overwhelming majority of research indicates that vacation time positively impacts mental health. A 2018 study, based on a large sample of 3,380 working women aged 45–52, found that for every 10 days of paid vacation, women's depression decreased by an average of 29%. The most striking findings were for mothers who took care of their children, who saw a 38% decrease in depression for every 10 additional days of paid vacation.
Another study published in 2018, conducted on a smaller sample of 40 male and female managers, reached similar results. The results showed that “a single short-term vacation away from work” has significant, immediate, and positive effects on overcoming stress, tension, recovery, and psychological well-being. The study also found that the positive effects can last for 30 to 45 days after the vacation.
In addition to the mental health benefits of vacation, there is also a lot of research that indicates that vacations are good for our physical health as well, but these benefits depend on what you do during the vacation (such as going for a walk, or taking a golf vacation).
Making the most of your vacation can lead to weight loss and cardiovascular benefits. Research also points to the serious consequences of skipping your vacation or taking only short breaks.
In 2017, a Norwegian longitudinal study of 2,741 individuals found that shorter vacation periods were associated with a higher body mass index (BMI), higher levels of coffee consumption, and poorer health. Worse still, shorter annual vacation periods were associated with higher mortality rates. Even more surprising, the study found that taking shorter vacations during midlife led to poorer overall health in old age.
In a related context, we also find evidence that regular vacations can reduce the risk of accidents on the job in some professions (such as taxi driving).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently included "burnout" in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Although not a medical condition, it is now recognized as a "work-related phenomenon." The WHO explains that burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic work-related stressors that employees are unable to successfully manage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has linked burnout to three dimensions: first, feeling depleted or extremely tired; second, being distracted and distracted from work; and finally, feeling negative or cynical about one's job, along with a diminished professional competence. Vacation also appears to play a key role in preventing us from falling prey to burnout or burnout in the workplace.
A 2019 study of 1,115 oncologists found that fewer vacation days led to higher burnout rates and lower job satisfaction. Another recent study, also focusing on physicians, reached a similar conclusion. Researchers found that “taking vacations is crucial because it recharges the individual’s energy and makes th
