Why Taking Frequent Short Breaks is Important for Your Health – Especially for Your Heart

The summer vacation season is approaching. When taking a vacation, is it good for your health to take a few days off at a time? Studies have shown that it is recommended to take at least one week off to reap the maximum benefits, and the frequency of breaks is also related to physical health benefits, especially to the heart.

A recent study introduced by American health media ‘Verywell Health.com’ found that a trip lasting one to two weeks was associated with the most positive behavioral changes. The research team collected data from around 300 Australian adults over 13 months. While on vacation, they averaged 21 more minutes of sleep. Compared to the life before the vacation, the time spent sitting during the vacation was reduced by 29 minutes. In particular, people who took hiking, fishing, and camping trips increased their physical activity time while on vacation.

Co-author Ty Ferguson, a researcher at the University of South Australia, said: “One to two weeks is enough for a person to ‘settle in’ to a new routine as they find ways to spend their time.” However, regardless of the number of days off, people showed positive behavioral changes while on vacation. “This supports the message that taking breaks in any way from daily work and life can be beneficial for health outcomes,” Ferguson added.

Experts say vacations provide benefits for body and mind health. Taking a vacation can help support heart health, increase sleep time, and reduce stress. In particular, the mental health benefits can come from disconnecting from work and focusing on other things. That doesn’t mean you have to go on a ‘luxury’ vacation.

rest is good for the heart

According to BerrywellHealth.com, several studies have shown that simply taking a break may provide long-term cardiovascular health benefits. Even if you can’t take a long vacation, taking a break from work is good for your physical and mental health. Experts say even taking a half-day off or turning off your devices for an hour can help you disconnect and recharge your body and mind.

A 2019 study found that vacations can help protect against conditions like high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have also shown that the frequency, rather than the total number of days off, is more associated with health benefits. Co-author Bryce Hruska, a professor at Syracuse University in the US, said, “Thinking of making time for recharging as a healthy habit has short-term benefits as well as long-term health benefits.”

“Brushing your teeth for two minutes every day is far less likely to cause tooth decay than if you brush your teeth for a long time on occasion,” he said. ”he explained. Therefore, dividing up vacations throughout the year and using them regularly is better for the heart, the study suggests.

Vacation gives the mind a break

When you’re on vacation, your brain also benefits from a break. The same goes for short breaks. A study from 2018 suggested that taking four days off work can also help people cope with stress.

“A vacation can be good for your mental health because it’s the ultimate disconnect from everything that’s going on,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Marsha Brown. It is a factor that makes it beneficial to health,” he said. “This means disconnecting,” he added. “Disconnect from work calls or emails, and don’t pay attention to what’s going on at work.”

Even vacations are stressful. In particular, returning to daily life after a vacation can feel like ‘fear’. But there are ways to manage stress after a vacation. As soon as you return to work, it is important not to overdo it in order to catch up on the overdue work at once. Instead, it’s best to set realistic workload goals and work towards them step by step.