Taking Time Off Can Help One's Health

01/08/2008

When it comes to avoiding medical problems and avoiding the need to file claims with one's health insurance company, people may be surprised to hear that sometimes, doing nothing can be the best medicine.

That's because the emphasis on proper exercise and diet can overshadow the fact that proper stress management is equally important to one's health and well-being in the long term. In many cases, stress management starts with taking some time off from work, even if a person doesn't actually go anywhere.

With that in mind, a recent survey by Right Management found that 66 percent of workers closed out 2009 without having used all of their vacation time.

"Taking vacation can boost creativity and rejuvenate overall energy and focus," said Right Management President Douglas J. Matthews, adding that failure to take sufficient time off from work can result in higher employee turnover and absenteeism, as well as more health insurance claims.

The recession has seen an upswing in the "staycation," where people take time off from work and enjoy themselves with activities closer to home than traditional vacations. Those in need of stress management can also consider activities like tai chi or yoga, as well as other forms of low-impact exercise.

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