Why Not Taking a Summer Vacation Could Jeopardize Your Health
By Jenny Everett, SELF magazine
This week, the Healthy SELF blog is being written from the beach, as we are taking a much-needed vacation. Like most Americans, we have a hard time letting go of work -- according to a study by the Families and Work Institute, less than half of us take the full vacation time available to us (on average, 12 days per year in the U.S.).
Thing is, health-wise, vacation is as much a necessity as it is a luxury. Here's why we're taking a week to chill, and why you should too:
Bonus: Do you dare? Take the SELF fitness challenge!
Believe it or not, there are scientists whose job it is to study the health of vacationers vs. non-vacationers. According to the chillaxing experts, vacationers:
Are more satisfied and find more meaning in life
Are more spiritual and have a lot of support from family and friends
Have lower blood pressure
Have lower levels of stress hormones
Have smaller waists
Outlive non-vacationers
Are more satisfied with their marriage
Suffer fewer mental illnesses -- and are just much happier in general!
And the list goes on.
Related: Eat these superfoods for flat abs
Are you taking time off this summer? Tell us how you take time to relax and recharge your body.
MORE FROM SELF:
Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studio
