Neglecting rest and relaxation is hazardous to your health (and your career)!
by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer
Are vacations for American workers going the way of the dinosaurs? Check out these alarming facts:
The U.S. has the lowest number of vacation days--13--of all the countries in the 2009 Expedia.com International Vacation Deprivation Survey. By contrast, French workers average 38 vacation days a year.
One-fourth of U.S. workers don't get paid vacation time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't require paid vacation time, according to Take Back Your Time, a non-profit behind legislation guaranteeing paid vacations.
"The only difference between dinosaurs and American vacations is that dinosaurs are already extinct," says Cecile Andrews, board member of Take Back Your Time.
Whether or not you get paid time off, experts across the board say taking vacations is vital to every aspect of your life and your work. Check out these eight reasons why vacations are a must--and get inspired to start packing your bags:
1. You'll live longer. Researchers think the stress-lowering nature of vacations can add years to your life. The famous Framingham Heart Study followed 12,000 men at risk of heart disease over a period of nine years and found that those who took more frequent vacations lived longer. And women who took vacations twice a year were eight times less likely to develop heart disease than women who rarely took a vacation. (Studies controlled for variables like income and education.)
2. You'll return to work renewed. One-third of workers say they feel better about their jobs and more productive when they return to work, according to the Expedia.com survey. "If you feel selfish taking a vacation, think of a vacation as an obligation to your employer to give them a refreshed, focused, non-resentful, non-burned-out employee," says executive coach Ken Howard.
People who feel good about their jobs are less prone to burnout. Take a career interest test to identify your unique career profile and find the best jobs for you.
3. Your stress will melt away. Vacations can be the ultimate stress-busters. "They're absolutely essential as a way to de-stress, refuel, and get away from it all," says psychologist Karen Sherman, the author of "Mindfulness and the Art of Choice."
4. Your creative juices will flow. There's nothing like a vacation to get you out of a work rut. "Vacations can ignite innovation," says psychologist and executive coach Maynard Brusman. He believes that the return on investment for vacations "is worth its weight in gold."
Career and leadership expert Sharon Lamm-Hartman says she insists her clients take at least two weeks of "pure vacation" a year. "Most creative 'work' happens in non-work time," she says. "It never fails that they come back with a fresh outlook on whatever situation they are facing."
5. You'll experience greater job satisfaction. According to a brand-new study conducted at the University of the Rockies, vacations that are at least 10 days long lead to the highest job satisfaction. "Employers should embrace this knowledge, and allow their employees this kind of time off," says researcher Dena Ann Dries.
6. You'll reconnect with your loved ones. With all that stress out of the way, you'll finally have time to focus on the people you love. This strengthens marriages, partnerships, and families. It's especially good for children. "They can learn about balance and developing a life worth living," says psychologist Jason Evan Mihalko.
7. You'll sleep better. A study by scientific consulting firm Alertness Solutions showed that after a few days on vacation, people averaged one hour more good-quality sleep per night; after they returned home, they were still sleeping an hour more.
8. You get to enjoy life now. It's a big world, and life's too short to postpone exploring it, says psychologist Dean Shrock, the author of "Doctor's Orders: Go Fishing." He advises against putting off your dreams for too long. "Write a prescription to yourself to do what you love most. You don't need a doctor to tell you," he says.
It's possible to do what you love most on-the-job, too, not just during vacation time. A free career test can help you find a career you will love.
by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer
Are vacations for American workers going the way of the dinosaurs? Check out these alarming facts:
The U.S. has the lowest number of vacation days--13--of all the countries in the 2009 Expedia.com International Vacation Deprivation Survey. By contrast, French workers average 38 vacation days a year.
One-fourth of U.S. workers don't get paid vacation time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't require paid vacation time, according to Take Back Your Time, a non-profit behind legislation guaranteeing paid vacations.
"The only difference between dinosaurs and American vacations is that dinosaurs are already extinct," says Cecile Andrews, board member of Take Back Your Time.
Whether or not you get paid time off, experts across the board say taking vacations is vital to every aspect of your life and your work. Check out these eight reasons why vacations are a must--and get inspired to start packing your bags:
1. You'll live longer. Researchers think the stress-lowering nature of vacations can add years to your life. The famous Framingham Heart Study followed 12,000 men at risk of heart disease over a period of nine years and found that those who took more frequent vacations lived longer. And women who took vacations twice a year were eight times less likely to develop heart disease than women who rarely took a vacation. (Studies controlled for variables like income and education.)
2. You'll return to work renewed. One-third of workers say they feel better about their jobs and more productive when they return to work, according to the Expedia.com survey. "If you feel selfish taking a vacation, think of a vacation as an obligation to your employer to give them a refreshed, focused, non-resentful, non-burned-out employee," says executive coach Ken Howard.
People who feel good about their jobs are less prone to burnout. Take a career interest test to identify your unique career profile and find the best jobs for you.
3. Your stress will melt away. Vacations can be the ultimate stress-busters. "They're absolutely essential as a way to de-stress, refuel, and get away from it all," says psychologist Karen Sherman, the author of "Mindfulness and the Art of Choice."
4. Your creative juices will flow. There's nothing like a vacation to get you out of a work rut. "Vacations can ignite innovation," says psychologist and executive coach Maynard Brusman. He believes that the return on investment for vacations "is worth its weight in gold."
Career and leadership expert Sharon Lamm-Hartman says she insists her clients take at least two weeks of "pure vacation" a year. "Most creative 'work' happens in non-work time," she says. "It never fails that they come back with a fresh outlook on whatever situation they are facing."
5. You'll experience greater job satisfaction. According to a brand-new study conducted at the University of the Rockies, vacations that are at least 10 days long lead to the highest job satisfaction. "Employers should embrace this knowledge, and allow their employees this kind of time off," says researcher Dena Ann Dries.
6. You'll reconnect with your loved ones. With all that stress out of the way, you'll finally have time to focus on the people you love. This strengthens marriages, partnerships, and families. It's especially good for children. "They can learn about balance and developing a life worth living," says psychologist Jason Evan Mihalko.
7. You'll sleep better. A study by scientific consulting firm Alertness Solutions showed that after a few days on vacation, people averaged one hour more good-quality sleep per night; after they returned home, they were still sleeping an hour more.
8. You get to enjoy life now. It's a big world, and life's too short to postpone exploring it, says psychologist Dean Shrock, the author of "Doctor's Orders: Go Fishing." He advises against putting off your dreams for too long. "Write a prescription to yourself to do what you love most. You don't need a doctor to tell you," he says.
It's possible to do what you love most on-the-job, too, not just during vacation time. A free career test can help you find a career you will love.
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