The Benefits of Taking Time off
Rae and Bruce Hostetler not only work very hard,
they also relax just as well. Numerous vacations
help the suburban Indianapolis couple
to maintain their health and emotional well-being
-and it's no surprise to health care professionals.
"Rest, relaxation, and stress reduction
are very important for people's well-being and health.
This can be accomplished through daily activities,
such as exercise and meditation,
but vacation is an important part of this as well,"
said primary care physician Natasha Withers
from One Medical Group in New York.
Withers lists a decreased risk of heart disease
and improved reaction times as some of the benefits
from taking some time off.
"We also know that the mind is very powerful
and can help with healing, so a rested, relaxed mind
is able to help the body heal better," said Withers.
Psychologists echo the value of vacations for the mind.
"The impact that taking a vacation
has on one's mental health is profound,"
said Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist
in Los Angeles who specializes in stress
and relationship management.
"Most people have better life perspective
and are more motivated to achieve their goals
after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out."
The Hostetlers combined short and long breaks
in 2010 and 2011 that included a cruise,
a ski trip, two beach trips, a weekend in Chicago,
and have another cruise trip scheduled this upcoming fall.
Counting the weekend days that buffer some trips,
they'll have been on vacation
for 38 days since October of last year.
But they are not the norm among
full-time working Americans.
The online travel agency Expedia conducted
a survey about vacation time in 2010,
and according to their data the average American
earned 18 vacation days-but only used 14 of them.
Every European country included in the survey reported
both more vacation days earned and used.
France topped the list, with the average worker
earning 37 vacation days and using all but two of them.
And according to Expedia's data,
only 38 percent of Americans said they used
all of their vacation time,
compared to 63 percent of French respondents.
Americans' responses may not be surprising in
a culture where long hours on the job
often are valued,
but that's not always good for the individual,
the family or the employer.