This is a very interesting article that provides some new info on the value of vacations - http://ht.ly/2cmSC . In fact, there may be a link to heart attacks and NOT taking vacations. This may be a stretch in that not taking a vacation is really an indicator of someone who is over-working and exhibiting other non-resilient behaviors, but it made me think that this might represent some 'low-hanging' fruit for wellness programs.

Does anyone have a vacation policy AND a culture that helps people take more vacations?

doug@drh-group.com
www.DRH-Group.com 

Actually, I don't think it is a stretch. There's quite a bit of evidence showing a relationship between overwork, heart disease, and vacation, including some from the Framingham study. If you want, let me know and I'll dig up a link. Of course, European (and other) nations have always recognized this, which is why they mandate at least 20 days vacation per year compared to the American average of 12. Also, a study last year showed that planning vacations is associated with happiness lasting about 8 weeks. Planning had more of a positive impact than actually taking the vacation. And there was little impact on stress reduction after the vacation. The key factor determining the positive mental affect from vacation was whether it was stress-free, with plenty of unscheduled time. Take note before taking the family to Disney World.

Janet - It definitely makes sense but I have to admit that more and more of my friends seem to be taking working vacations. They take their smart phones and laptops so that they can attend conference calls and keep up with email. The other half don't seem to take all of their vacation time. Partly in response to keeping up with their work and partly (I think) because people are afraid it will affect their performance and possibly lead to a layoff.

By the way, the planning of a vacation leading to more happiness is pretty interesting. Where did you read about that? Thanks!

Here you go, Doug. Enjoy! 

How Vacations Affect Your Happiness


Janet

I remember reading an excerpt from Lee Iacocca's book years ago where he commented that other executives and managers would brag to him that they had not taken a vacation in years. Instead of being impressed, his attitude was that if you couldn't take two weeks out of the year to spend with your family and for yourself, you had no business running a company because you were not exhibiting the necessary leadership and organizational skills. I think that the same thing applies to each workday. If you can be disciplined enough to start work on time, you should be disciplined enough to finish when you said you would. Your health depends on it.

This just went up at the Wall Street Journal:

Yes, You Really Do Need to Take a Vacation

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB128062467281422929.html?KEYWORDS=wellness

 I know "Vacations" just seems like the topic that won't go away here, but I thought it was worth posting this link to a debate that's taking place at the New York Times website. It about whether the vacation differential between the US and Europe, including how it affects or doesn't affect stress.

Maybe there's a reason this keeps coming up here and has recently popped up at the Wall Street Journal and the Times? Is this going to be a big emerging topic?