Why is it unhealthy not to take a vacation?

Working for long periods without sufficient breaks increases the risk of stress, burnout, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature death, according to experts.

How do I recognize that I am due for a vacation?

Signals include fatigue, irritability, concentration problems, poor sleep, and physical complaints such as headaches.

What counts as a real vacation or relaxation?

Vacation doesn't have to be a long trip. Anything that helps you recharge – like relaxing at home, watching Netflix, or a weekend getaway – counts, as long as you find peace.

How long should a vacation last to really recharge?

According to psychologists, a longer period of rest is needed to truly recover – so more than a few evenings or a short weekend off.

How do I plan a vacation when I am busy at work?

Block free days well in advance in your calendar, communicate with your employer, and focus on rest instead of performance. This way, you can prevent procrastination.

Holiday

No time for vacation? This is why that's more dangerous than you think

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Why it's dangerous not to take a vacation

Just a quick question for all the workaholics among us: when was the last time you took a vacation? Just a few days off and maybe even abroad. Do you have to think too long about it or do you realize that it has been a while? Then it’s time to sound the alarm. According to experts, saving up those vacation days and never really taking a break is much more dangerous for your health than you might think.

But what is vacation really?

Before we discuss why it is a must to take time off occasionally, it’s useful to know what we actually mean by vacation. It doesn’t necessarily mean taking a long trip or setting up a tent at a campsite in France. Vacation is mainly about doing something that really allows you to recharge; what that is varies from person to person. Some are happy with a family trip to the sun, while others prefer to spend a few days on the couch binge-watching a good Netflix series. Both options are good, and there are many more ways to fill your vacation; as long as it works for you and allows you to rest.

What really happens to you when you don’t allow yourself to rest

According to work and organizational psychologist Jessica Bloom, just continuing to work is bad for you. Stress at work has negative effects on both your physical and mental health. Without moments of rest, your brain stays constantly ‘on’; that costs a lot of energy, and eventually, that energy runs out. But staying behind your laptop in the hope that that brilliant idea will come again is also pointless. The longer you keep working, the more your creativity declines. The same goes for your concentration. Being online longer doesn’t mean you get more done or produce better work. In fact, the chance of small mistakes creeping in due to fatigue is greater; those could have been avoided with a bit more rest.

Your body will also start to protest after a long period of work. You might get headaches or find it harder to sleep get going. If that lasts too long, your complaints can become permanent. Now I understand that you think: a good evening or weekend of rest will help you bounce back. But according to Bloom, that’s not enough. To truly recharge, a longer period is needed; a time when nothing is required and you can fill it completely yourself. If you never take such a vacation, you run a higher risk of serious complaints such as cardiovascular diseases and even premature death, according to Bloom.

So vacation gives your health a boost

You can think of a vacation as an extensive maintenance check for your body. You get some space back in your head, your heart rate goes down, and you return to what truly makes you happy. Focusing on the things that are important; and we don’t mean that endless to-do list. By taking a few days to relax, you’ll notice that your stress level decreases. This also improves your sleep. Your creativity and productivity increase, which is of course also good for your boss. All those boosts also give your mood a significant lift, and your surroundings will be happy with that; especially if stress has been quite high lately. One downside to that vacation feeling: it seems to disappear completely after a few days at home. But that doesn’t mean you don’t benefit from it. It’s a way to step out of daily stress; an escape for your body that helps as a buffer against lasting stress. You really need a vacation every now and then.

What you can do now to truly relax later

As much as you would like to, it’s not always possible to suddenly drop all your work and leave. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for that necessary moment of rest. Perhaps the most important task: block that calendar. As long as nothing is set in stone, it’s very easy to keep working. By making room in your calendar for those free days, you can adjust the rest of your planning accordingly and have something to look forward to. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself for that vacation either. You don’t have to take a flight to an exotic destination; relaxing in your own garden works just as well. Listen to your body; to what you need, and especially when. In the meantime, you can give your body some rest by stopping work on time every day. A relaxed evening may not be as effective as a vacation, but it’s at least a start. One last tip: make taking a few days off a topic of discussion at work. Also mention the many benefits of rest, for you and for your employer. For those who are not used to actually using vacation days, it may be difficult at first to work let go. That’s okay and will become easier over time. You need to take good care of yourself, and that includes taking vacation on time.

Source: Women’s Health