Top Reasons to take a Vacation, Is Spring Break Healthy, Give Me a Break
You really do need a vacation! This statement may be more honest than all of us realize. Studies have recently shown that your well-being may depend on it.
The number of Americans who plan on vacationing within the next six months is near a thirty year low, according to the Conference Board, a private research firm. A general consumer survey by the same firm also suggests 39% of those people surveyed are not considering a vacation next year — a figure that is at an all-time low since 1978. Consultants in the public health field feel this is a mistake.
In times of high-stress and job instability, we need a break. An ambitious research project that started in 1948 known as the Framingham Heart Study has made strides in isolating certain risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Three generations of study participants over twenty years routinely filled out questionnaires. Research data shows that women who traveled every six years or less were virtually eight times more prone to heart disease or heart attack.
The correlation between stress and way of life is evident. In 2000, the results of another study involving 12,000 men over a period of nine years had similar results. Men who did not travel on an annual basis were 33% more prone to dying from a heart attack and had a 21% risk of dying from other causes. Mental health is also indicated to be affected by travel. According to research scientists at the Marshfield Clinic of Wisconsin, the instances of depression increase as frequency of travel decreases.
So, there is true evidence that travel is necessary to a healthy well-being. The time is now to redefine our vacation planning strategy. Tighter budgets require that we consider all the options. In the not too distant past, the ambitious travel giant, MOR Vacations, made public a new product that makes family travel on a shoestring budget a reality. Getting vacation time approved may be the only hurdle.
Nearly 25% of Americans in the private business sector are not awarded paid vacation time. Moreover, 127 countries do mandate paid vacation time. However, the United States does not. Mr. John de Graaf, the editor of Take Back Your Time, is lobbying for Congress to pass an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act that would ensure three full weeks of paid vacation to workers who have been employed with their organization for at least one year. Even though this may be a tough sell to business, vacation time is more attractive than sick time because it is easier to anticipate.
Economic indicators are still pointing downhill. Making up for the negative effects is necessary to our continued health. Allocating funds towards a lavish, tranquil vacation is even more compelling. We all have it coming.
A lifetime membership in a travel club may prove to be a good investment. Avoid timeshare scams that require yearly maintenance fees and long-term payment plans. Look for options that offer a one-time, up-front fee and a fully-transferrable lifetime membership. Unlimited guest passes without additional fees and a VIP upgrade for new members will provide even more value. A product such as this may increase your work-life balance and stretch your travel budget.
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