Research clearly demonstrates that an annual vacation significantly cuts risks of most diseases by 20-30 percent. The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial of 12,000 American men revealed that during a 5-year study period those who took the most vacations had 20 percent less risk of dying from any cause than those who took the fewest vacations. A 1999 Dutch study found that overcommittment to work without an annual vacation increased physical and emotional illnesses.
A study by the World Tourism Organization study showed that vacation time for Americans lags well behind other industrialized countries. The WTO listed the average annual vacation days by country as follows: Italy (42), France (37), Germany (35), Brazil (34), Britain (28), Canada (26), South Korea (25), Japan (25), the United States (13).
More than one third of Americans fail to use their full vacation times. Of those who do take full time away from their regular jobs much of their vacation time is spent on activities other than rest and relaxation:
Ø 19 percent spend their vacation time on family or personal responsibilities, including illness, funerals, caring for sick children or parents
Ø Another 13 percent spend vacation time going to school, working at another job, or participating in reserve military service.
Ø One in five vacationers are contacted about work matters during non-work times
Ø 23 percent of employed adults in the United States report checking work email or voicemail while vacationing
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