According to a study by Harris Interaction and Expedia, 36% of workers don’t plan to use all their paid vacation days, and 37% never take more than a week off at a time. That is unhealthy, bad for you, your family and the company who employ you.
Live longer
A State University of New York survey found that men who took annual vacations reduced their risk of death by 20%. Men who didn’t take any vacations in five years had the highest death rate and incidence of heart disease than any other men surveyed.
Improve your mental health
A study by Wisconsin Medical Journal found that women who took frequent vacations were less likely to become depressed, tense, or tired. Women who rarely took vacations were likelier to have stress at home and sleep less.
Taking time away from work and routine allows the body to replenish and repair itself, according to Karen Matthews of Mind Body Center at the University of Pittsburgh, quoted on npr.com. The center surveyed 1,399 participants recruited for studies on cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and other conditions, and found that leisure activities, including taking vacations, contributed to higher positive emotional levels and less depression among the participants. Other benefits include lower blood pressure and smaller waistlines, reports npr.com.
Women especially seem to benefit from taking vacations, according to a 2005 study conducted by Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin, published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal and reported on medicalnewstoday.com. Women who vacationed less often than once every two years were more likely to suffer from depression and increased stress than women who took vacations at least twice a year.
Become more productive
What? You can more productive by not working? Yes.
By scheduling two weeks of vacation a year, you force yourself to make the other 50 weeks more efficient. Your scheduled becomes an award–a carrot. This means more incentive to eliminate distractions, work more efficiently, and get things done.
Christine Louise Hohlbaum explains on the CNN website that workers who forgo their vacations aren’t doing themselves or their companies any favours. Even if they are physically present, they have often mentally checked out. “If people are overworked, they’re surfing the Internet. They’re not contributing to the bottom line,” Hohlbaum says..
Revamp your relationships
The busy lifestyle of this present modern word has left little time for interaction between family members. The children are always busy with their schoolwork and the parents are at work for most of the day. Going on a vacation provides a suitable time for the family to interact with each other and improve their relationship.
Recapture your childhood
When was the last time you went out to play? I mean really play. Without worry of someone calling or interrupting you. Real vacations let you recapture that feeling of childlike exploratory freedom. You can wake up when you want, go to sleep when you want, and eat what you want. Most importantly, you can have fun without worrying about the consequences on work back home.
Gain self-confidence
“Don’t put yourself on sale.” Wise words from financial guru Suze Orman. When you skip vacations, you put yourself on sale. If you have 2-weeks of paid vacation and don’t use them, you’re essentially working for free. By committing to a vacation, you declare to yourself (and to others) that you are important and deserve dedicated time for yourself.
Find creative inspiration
Most of the year, we live on a schedule. We eat at the same restaurants, see the same people, and experience the same environment. This monotony reduces the opportunities for inspiration and for new ways of thinking. By traveling to a new environment we put ourselves in an uncomfortable situation and allow our brains to think differently. Robert R. Butterworth, a Los Angeles psychologist with International Trauma Associates, quoted on abc.com. Workers in creative fields especially need the opportunity recharge their batteries. “If you have a job that’s very creative and you don’t take time off you hit a wall and you need a change. The break will allow you to refresh your brain cells,” explains Butterworth
Are you being held back by the cost?
Are you worried about leaving your home and pets?
Christian House Sitters can help wherever you live. Our worldwide service offers rent-free accommodation and also provides reliable people who will look after your home and pets while you are away. They will do it free of charge.
Have a look at www.Christian-housesitters.com
Share this opportunity with your friends, your family, your church and be a blessing to them.
God bless you,
Ray
Christian House Sitters is part of the registered charity
TLC Children’s Trust
UK Charity number 1156786
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Christian House Sitters 
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