Just because Hospitality Health ER is open 24-7 doesn’t mean we don’t believe in taking time off from work. In fact, we encourage taking as many vacations as your work allows. Why? Plain and simple: vacations are good for your health. Workaholic standards in the US are one reason that stress and depression are at an all-time high in our country. Although you may not have the number of vacation days that they have in other countries, you should use all the time you are given to totally unplug— and that means completely avoiding anything work-related while you’re away, including paperwork, phone calls, computer usage, and even mental planning. Here’s why:
Two Key Benefits of Time Off from Work
Taking time from work is not only good for you, it’s also good for your employer, who will benefit from the fruits of your relaxation. So if you’re debating whether to take a three-day weekend to unwind at the beach or even a mental health day at home, here are some things to consider:
REASON 1: People do better at work if they take time off and recharge. Vacations can actually help you become more productive and creative.
REASON 2: Vacations reduce stress that can build up over time and impact our health. One study revealed that male participants who didn’t take vacations were 30 percent more likely to have a heart attack. For women, it was a 50 percent greater risk.
Often times, the amount of vacation time we can take is not in our control. While European countries, like the United Kingdom and Sweden, enforce employment laws that require companies to provide at least 28 vacation days to employees, the US government does not require companies to provide any vacation days. Most employers give some kind of paid time off benefit, but if this is not the case for you, make every effort to completely unwind and unplug from work on your days off. It can make all the difference in your mental and physical health.
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