Vacations – Unplugged And Then Some – For Health and Well-being
On the East Bay in Traverse City, Michigan
Friday marks the official start of summer, and for many, summer is vacation time.
Research has found that vacations are beneficial for health and well-being, at least in the short run.
For example, one study¹ looked at fifty-three employees and measured physical complaints and the quality of sleep and mood both 10 days before and 3 days after vacations. These measures all improved. And then, again, five weeks after vacations, the employees still reported fewer physical complaints. The study concluded that vacations may improve well-being on a short-term basis.
Perhaps not surprisingly, though, it depends on the nature of the vacation. For example, other studies² have found that:
- Health-related vacation outcomes depend on how a vacation is organized.
- Choosing especially pleasant vacation activities is better for health and well-being.
- Working during a vacation negatively influences health and well-being after vacation.
