stress

VACATION MORE OFTEN

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The Journal of the American Medical Association reported in its September 2019 issue that persons who take vacations may lessen the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a medical condition that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Researchers noted that 74% of US workers who have paid vacation time only use half of their available vacation days. Would it make a difference in their health if more vacation time were used? The study accounted for vacation factors including location, time off work, stress experienced during vacation, cost, activities, alcohol use, sleep habits and level of disengagement from work and personal worries. Study participants were evaluated by body and blood measurements as well as lifestyle surveys.

The goal of the study was to look for a connection between vacationing and metabolic syndrome — large waist circumference, hypertension, elevated triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and elevated blood glucose. Prior studies have shown that these factors can be controlled by lifestyle changes. For the 12 months of the study, participants took about 5 vacations, used 14 paid vacation days, spent 40% of their vacations at home, considered their vacations to be low-stress, didn’t drink much alcohol and slept well.

The results showed that study members had a 21% incidence of metabolic syndrome compared with 35% in the US population. Each vacation was associated with a 24% reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, and the number of vacations rather than the total number of vacation days used was associated with reduced metabolic symptoms. The probability of meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome was 47% for those who took no vacations, 16% for those who took the average 5 vacations and 1% for those who took the maximum 15 vacations.

The study’s lead author, Bryce Hruska of Syracuse University, summed things up like this: “People say vacations are relaxing, so the thought is that if you vacation more frequently you’ve got a reduction in stress…that may translate into fewer of these metabolic symptoms.” He also said,” the important part is that you’re using your vacation.”