How Important Are Vacations?

                                                                         

Studies show that we are more productive when we regularly take vacations. But much as we are sleeping less, we're also taking less time off. In 2008, one-third of Americans said they intended to take no vacation at all. Another 33% planned a vacation of seven days or less. Health costs from too little vacation are surprising. One study found infrequent vacationers 50% more likely to die of a heart attack and 20% more likely to die from any cause. Emotional health is similarly influenced by length of vacation, and there's growing evidence that performance itself is correlated with vacation time.