Take a Vacation … Now!

I received a press release today with some very unsurprising facts and figures regarding stress and time off. For those of you who aren’t aware, I stepped down from my full-time job at the end of May as part of a larger strategy to reduce stress and improve my health. I’m now freelancing again, and my health has improved significantly. From the press release, I quote:

Recent studies published in the British Medical Journal and featured in Time magazine reveal strong evidence that time off is good medicine. For example:

• Chronic work-related stress caused can nearly double your risk of heart disease and diabetes
• Long-term exposure to stress at work appears to have a direct adverse effect on the autonomic nervous system
• An annual vacation of at least two weeks can cut the risk of heart attack in men by 32% and in women by 50%

“These are startling statistics,” says Marilyn Downing Staff, founder and owner of Asia Transpacific Journeys. “People are beginning to view travel – like a gym membership — as an investment in their health. When you consider the long-term costs associated with stress-related illnesses, travel is very inexpensive by comparison. And let’s face it, a lot more fun.”

And that’s true, even when doing research for a story…as long as the itinerary has some breathing room!