August
is fast running out and September beckons, yet many are yet to go on
their annual vacation. What are you waiting for? Where is your vacation
destination? And why are you not on it? Somebody needs a break, and we
don’t mean the three-day casual leave for that family engagement.
Many employers and employees are yet to
take their hard earned vacation. Is it because they think all hell would
break loose if they do?
It is tempting to think that a month
without your presence in the office will result in the company’s
failure. A chief executive officer may break out in sweat at the thought
of leaving the business to his/her staff for 28 days.
But the truth is, not only are you or
your brilliance replaceable, but if you vanished off the face of the
earth in the next 10 seconds, your employer will find someone to do your
job by the end of the day, and work would continue at your duty post.
A recent study conducted by a researcher
at the Public Health Department, Carnegie Melon University, Dr. Jon
Delano, showed that just three per cent of the global work force takes
four weeks off at any time.
It also states that 30 per cent take a
few days off their work and ignorantly call it vacation; while the other
60 per cent trade their annual leave period for money or just do not go
at all.
Delano stated that with increasing
rigours of modern life and competition in the work place, more people
are foregoing this vacation period for the fear of being perceived as
not being dedicated to their jobs.
Experts say the neglect of vacation
period is a major factor why the world is witnessing a global epidemic
of stress-related diseases such as hypertension, cancer and diabetes.
Delano notes that depriving the body of
long periods of rest to relieve this stress could harm an individual,
both mentally and physically.
“Stress is real as we face the burden of
meeting tight deadlines, making crucial decisions, or even just
managing the complexities of household demands. Most adults have lives
that are filled with some form of stress,” he adds.
Also, body rejuvenation expert and
surgeon, Dr. Sandra Adejumo, says lack of vacation could lead to chronic
stress, as it reduces the body’s immune system and ultimately
predisposes the individual to various illnesses.
According to her, several studies have
shown a direct link between stress and health conditions such as
headaches, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other types of infections
acquired as a result of a weakened immune system; while taking a
vacation has been scientifically established to prevent these diseases.
Adejumo says, “Chronic stress takes its
toll on our body’s ability to resist infection, maintain vital
functions, and even the ability to avoid injury. When you’re stressed
out and tired, you are more likely to become ill, your arteries take a
beating, and you’re more likely to have an accident.
“Your sleep will suffer, you won’t
digest your food as well, and even the genetic material in the cells of
your body may start to become altered in a bad way.
“Mentally, not only do you become more
irritable, depressed, and anxious, but your memory will become worse and
you’ll make poorer decisions. You’ll also be less fun to be with,
causing you to become more isolated, lonely, and depressed.”
It is not just about diseases, according to experts on medicaldaily.com, going on vacation enables you to:
Gain long-term vision
There’s a connection between taking
breaks and productivity. According to a study by the 2010 International
Vacation Deprivation Study, diversion from a task can dramatically
improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.
It warns that mini breaks only provide
short-term stamina, and recommends taking annual vacation to sustain
productivity and reduce stress.
The study states, “Vacation time also
lets you pursue other interests. For leaders, being away from your work
environment for a longer period of time will allow you to gain a fresh
perspective on the vision you have for your organisation. For employees,
summer vacations offer time to reflect on new ways that you can help
your team accomplish long-term projects.”
Cultivate family bonds
If you’re a parent, taking a vacation with your kids can create the much-needed quality time as a family.
According to the Disney Time Survey, a
blind study conducted by Kelton Research, quality family time not only
increases while on vacation, but parents and children say they are more
likely to learn something new about one another during this time, as
opposed to when at home.
The survey reveals that 97 per cent of
parents felt their kids got to know new things about them while on a
family trip, and time spent with kids increased by 90 per cent.
“We know that vacations are important,
but to have parents validate how important vacation time is to their
families was insightful,” said Leslie Ferraro, executive vice-president
of global marketing for Disney Parks.
“As we’ve learned from families who
participated in the survey, those moments of quality family time can
feel fleeting in our everyday home lives,” he adds.
The benefits of a vacation are endless.
Take time off to meet new people, laugh and do the things that you most
love. Enjoy life!
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