We’ve made it through March, which means two things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) We northerners are almost through the dreary winter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) You probably haven’t taken time off since the Holiday season<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s okay, I\u2019m not here to shame you, I’m here to remind you that vacations are a necessity! We work so much and deserve to play just as much. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work out that way, which is why it’s so important you make the most of the gorgeous summer weather around the corner. It’s time to vacation, and if you, or your boss, needs some convincing about why vacations are vital then read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scratch that, we\u2019re walking, hiking, exploring instead! Sure you need some mode of transportation to get where you\u2019re going but once your there you inevitably walk more. Think about it: when you\u2019re vacationing somewhere new it\u2019s likely that you want to explore and see and do as much as you can. Wandering a new place, hiking in a national park, trying a new activity, or strolling on the beach are all common vacation activities that promote more physical activity than many of us normally get at desk jobs. According to the CDC physical activity is shown to improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But maybe you\u2019re more of a lay on the beach and sip cocktails type? Well, good news ahead\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on who you talk to sun exposure is either the best thing you can do or a dangerous step towards skin cancer. The fact is while high amounts of sun exposure can be dangerous due to the UVA Radiations, we have sunscreen. So lather up and get out in the sun because getting Vitamin D not only helps you sleep better but it helps your brain produce serotonin which will give you more energy and keep you calm and happy. Additionally it\u2019s been found<\/a> that getting plenty of vitamin D is important for children to help bones form properly and avoid exacerbating osteoporosis in older people. So lay on the beach all day, as long as you lather up with sun protection first!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2019 study<\/a> found that vacations are experienced as positive events which can lead to a decreased risk for metabolic syndrome, some decreased as much as nearly a quarter with each additional vacation. Another study<\/a> shows that the risk for heart disease lowered by approx. 30% in men who vacation annually. Women in this study<\/a> showed that taking the least amount of vacation a year is a bad idea. Women who only vacationed about once every 5-6 years were nearly 2.5x more likely to have a heart attack than those who vacationed annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know a vacation costs money, but what if I told you it makes you money too? In 2016 Project: Time Off found that employees who took at least 11 vacation days per year ended up being more likely to receive a raise or a bonus than those who took 10 or less. Productivity pays off and you\u2019re more likely to be productive if you give yourself time to rest and recharge (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obvious? Maybe, but still important. Taking yourself outside of your normal routine already gives you a break from your usual home and work related stressors. It turns out that stress relief doesn\u2019t end when the vacation does, as this study<\/a> found that stress levels tend to stay lower for up to 45 days after your vacation. You don\u2019t have to burn up your PTO as vacations as short as 4 days taken twice of year were shown to decrease depression<\/a> and tension in most women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The above study also showed that married participants felt happier in their marriages. If you\u2019ve been together a while and the butterflies have faded into that routine-happiness with your partner, that\u2019s great! But sometimes it\u2019s nice to get the butterflies fluttering again and doing activities that are new and exciting to both of you can bring them back. And where do most people try new exciting things? Vacation – exactly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think it\u2019s pretty much impossible to have \u201ctoo much\u201d fun in life. We only get one life and we can\u2019t take anything with us after it\u2019s done. At the end of the day you only have your experiences and the people you love, so you should go do and see as much as possible with them and live a life you love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already love traveling, use this list as a reason to do it more often or to not feel any kind of creeping guilt about what you \u201cshould\u201d be doing at work while you\u2019re on vacation. <\/p>\n\n\n\nVacations Make Your Heart Happy Too!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also good for your wallet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vacations improve your mental health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vacations are good for your relationship too<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If that wasn\u2019t enough to convince you (or your boss) that you need to take a vacation, then how about this: It\u2019s just really really fun.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n