The results of a new study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity suggest that vacations and extra time off are good for our health, largely due to the positive effects of vacations on our physical activity and sleep patterns.
The study used data from 308 people who were enrolled in the Annual Rhythms in Adults’ Lifestyle and Health study. Participants wore fitness trackers 24 hours a day for 13 months. During the study period, physical activity and sleep were tracked and aggregated into daily totals. Those totals were compared before, during, and after vacations to see how vacations changed behavioral patterns.
Overall, participants were more physically active during their vacations compared to before and after their vacations, even when the time off was relatively short (three days). On vacation, participants got 13% more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day and were 5% less sedentary each day compared to when they were not on vacation. Additionally, participants slept for an average of 21 extra minutes per day on vacation, which represented a 4% increase over normal sleep times. The changes in activity and sleep were correlated with the length of vacation, with longer breaks leading to bigger changes. However, even breaks of only three days led to improvements.
Good sleep and regular physical activity are essential for overall health and wellbeing, and both are part of the American Heart Association’s list of essential factors in improving and maintaining heart health. One of the study’s authors noted that companies around the world have been implementing or trialing four-day workweeks, which have been shown to decrease stress, burnout, and fatigue among workers. The results of this study suggest that four-day workweeks may also improve sleep, physical activity, and overall health for employees.
Sources: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Science Daily, AHA