Why You Should Take A Holiday

WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A HOLIDAY Eleven per cent of people in the UK have taken fewer holidays recently due to fears about their work and the economic situation. But not taking a break can take a toll on your health, piling on stress and tension with little relief. We break down how people are getting away, and why they should do it more often. HOLIDAYS ARQUND THE WORLD days they're offered – perhaps they should be. The average amount of annual leave varies from country to Days Taken country. And in some countries, workers aren't using all of the Days Given (XXXXX) XXXX UK 25/25 XXXX US 12/14 Germany X (XXX - - 28/30 France XX ХXXX з0/3о Italy 21/28 XXXXI (XXXX 30/30 Spain Norway 21/25 |X XI XXXXXXXX X Sweden 25/25 Denmark XX 30/30 Australia XX 15/20 Canada XX 15/16 HOW UK RESIDENTS GET AWAY Not surprisingly, people in the UK (along with most of the world's population) prefer to go on holiday during the summer, and beach holidays are by far the most popular. 1% Gambling 3% Food and/or wine tour 12% 9% 5% Theme Park Winter Other 15% Spring 37% Preferred 49% Beach Time of Year 11% for Holiday Summer Preferred Outdoor Holiday Type 23% Autumn 14% City 20% Romantic *Due to rounding, figures do not total 100 WHEN WORK GETS IN THE WAY For those who don't use their full holiday allowance, scheduling and money issues top the list of reasons why. And when we do away, not all of us are able to leave work behind. When People Are Able to Leave Work Behind Reasons People Don't Use All Days Off and Fully Relax on Holiday 55% Don't schedule far 20% enough in advance As soon as I leave on holiday 19% Can't afford it .... 14% 11% Work is my life The moment I reach my destination Can get paid 8% for unused days 20% Important work decisions 8% will be made without me After a day or two of holiday 6% May be perceived negatively at work 2% 3% Holiday negatively affects spouse or family member's job When my holiday is more than half over 44% None apply 10% I'm never able to leave work behind *Respondents were able to choose more than one response *Due to rounding, figures do not total 100. WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE TIME OFF To Enjoy Life More To Ward Off Depression Those who holiday regularly can enjoy a host of benefits. No doubt, a few days away from work can do wonders to The people who are lucky enough to holiday frequently relieve stress. But the effects are much more pronounced also happen to be fortunate in other ways. for women who take leave. People who have more leisure activities (including Women who holiday frequently (at holidays) usually also experience the following: least twice a year) are less likely to be depressed, tense, or tired. 2x - Report greater life satisfaction Have found greater meaning in life Women who rarely take time off are Report a large network of support more likely to have stress in their from family and friends home life and sleep less. To Be More Productive To Live Longer Taking a mental break and checking out from the day-to- Some studies even link more frequent holidays to longer life. Reduced stress and tension are thought to improve day stresses of work can actually help you work more effectively once you're back in the office. your health and help you live longer. In a study of men who were at risk for heart disease, the 34% of workers report more frequent holidays that men took, the feeling better about their jobs longer they lived. In another study, men who and being more productive took regular annual holidays cut their after going on holiday. 20%) risk of death by 20%. Sources: GUARDIAN.CO.UK, NPR.ORG, USATODAY.COM, MYVACATIONLADY.COM, EXPEDIA.COM Confused.com"