Vacation, Vacation, Vacation

Susan Ardizzoni
Jun 26, 2016
2 min read

Are you the sort of person who skips vacation time and perhaps you've never taken a sick day? Do you think this is a good idea? According to Dr. Leigh Vinocur, an emergency physician and national spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians says in order to remain comfortable and healthy, you need to take time off. Dr. Vinocur also happens to be the Diamond Resorts International Vacation Doctor. So she should know best.

Dr. Vinocur remarks, "I was drawn to Diamond Resorts because of the research they conducted with Nielsen Research that corroborates my already existing beliefs and observations," she said. "As an emergency room doctor, I see patients t a point where preventive treatment is no longer an option. Many of their health issues could be avoided by circumventing stress. And one of the biggest stressors in America is overwork. We do not take time for ourselves. Time that allows us to unwind and de-stress."

Apparently, more than 40% of Americans end up having 7 or more days that they haven't used up as vacation time. Dr. Vinocur indicates that this adds up to more than one billion vacations days not used each and every year. Companies must be saving a bundle on that one and resort areas are missing out on customers. Big Time!

All of this leads to physical and mental health issues which ultimately generates a workforce that is less productive and stressed out. Medically speaking, this can create heart disease, obesity (diabetes) and high blood pressure. So, Dr. Vinocur's prescription is "take regular vacations".

Vacation Health Benefits:

May prevent heart attacks – the medical community knows that stress can generate heart attacks and high blood pressure. This can lead to depression. Researchers have found that long term brain exposure to the stress hormone cortisol contributes to anxiety and depression.
Can make you smarter – stress can bring about distractions that prevent you from concentrating. Research demonstrates that chronic stress alters a part of your brain that inhibits goal oriented activity. This weakens memory function and your performance plummets.
Improve your sex life – can generate a lack of interest in sex. Stress creates a high cortisol level that can cause lower levels of sex hormones. This can decrease libido, sex drive.
Can generate weight loss – stress can cause weight gain. Vacations that make you happy can help you lose weight.
Vacations are necessary – Dr. Vinocur suggests taking a week or more when you can although two or three days can work if done often enough. This will increase attention, energy and overall performance.