HEALTHWISE:Go on vacation, you need it!

August is fast running out and September beckons, yet many are yet to go on their annual vacation. What are you waiting for? Where is your vacation destination? And why are you not on it? Somebody needs a break, and we don’t mean the three-day casual leave for that family engagement.

Many employers and employees are yet to take their hard earned vacation. Is it because they think all hell would break loose if they do?

It is tempting to think that a month without your presence in the office will result in the

company’s failure. A chief executive officer may break out in sweat at the thought of leaving the business to his/her staff for 28 days.

But the truth is, not only are you or your brilliance replaceable, but if you vanished off the face of the earth in the next 10 seconds, your employer will find someone to do your job by the end of the day, and work would continue at your duty post.

A recent study conducted by a researcher at the Public Health Department, Carnegie Melon University, Dr. Jon Delano, showed that just three per cent of the global work force takes four weeks off at any time.

It also states that 30 per cent take a few days off their work and ignorantly call it vacation; while the other 60 per cent trade their annual leave period for money or just do not go at all.

Delano stated that with increasing rigours of modern life and competition in the work place, more people are foregoing this vacation period for the fear of being perceived as not being dedicated to their jobs.

Experts say the neglect of vacation period is a major factor why the world is witnessing a global epidemic of stress-related diseases such as hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

Delano notes that depriving the body of long periods of rest to relieve this stress could harm an individual, both mentally and physically.

“Stress is real as we face the burden of meeting tight deadlines, making crucial decisions, or even just managing the complexities of household demands. Most adults have lives that are filled with some form of stress,” he adds.

 Also, body rejuvenation expert and surgeon, Dr. Sandra Adejumo, says lack of vacation could lead to chronic stress, as it reduces the body’s immune system and ultimately predisposes the individual to various illnesses.

According to her, several studies have shown a direct link between stress and health conditions such as headaches, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other types of infections acquired as a result of a weakened immune system; while taking a vacation has been scientifically established to prevent these diseases.

Adejumo says, “Chronic stress takes its toll on our body’s ability to resist infection, maintain vital functions, and even the ability to avoid injury. When you’re stressed out and tired, you are more likely to become ill, your arteries take a beating, and you’re more likely to have an accident.

“Your sleep will suffer, you won’t digest your food as well, and even the genetic material in the cells of your body may start to become altered in a bad way.

“Mentally, not only do you become more irritable, depressed, and anxious, but your memory will become worse and you’ll make poorer decisions. You’ll also be less fun to be with, causing you to become more isolated, lonely, and depressed.”

It is not just about diseases, according to experts on medicaldaily.com, going on vacation enables you to:

Gain long-term vision

There’s a connection between taking breaks and productivity. According to a study by the 2010 International Vacation Deprivation Study, diversion from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.

It warns that mini breaks only provide short-term stamina, and recommends taking annual vacation to sustain productivity and reduce stress.

The study states, “Vacation time also lets you pursue other interests. For leaders, being away from your work environment for a longer period of time will allow you to gain a fresh perspective on the vision you have for your organisation. For employees, summer vacations offer time to reflect on new ways that you can help your team accomplish long-term projects.”

Cultivate family bonds

If you’re a parent, taking a vacation with your kids can create the much-needed quality time as a family.

According to the Disney Time Survey, a blind study conducted by Kelton Research, quality family time not only increases while on vacation, but parents and children say they are more likely to learn something new about one another during this time, as opposed to when at home.

The survey reveals that 97 per cent of parents felt their kids got to know new things about them while on a family trip, and time spent with kids increased by 90 per cent.

“We know that vacations are important, but to have parents validate how important vacation time is to their families was insightful,” said Leslie Ferraro, executive vice-president of global marketing for Disney Parks.

“As we’ve learned from families who participated in the survey, those moments of quality family time can feel fleeting in our everyday home lives,” he adds.

 The benefits of a vacation are endless. Take time off to meet new people, laugh and do the things that you most love. Enjoy life!