Are you thinking about canceling your summer vacation because of a heavy workload or a demanding boss?
According to a survey by the travel website Expedia, most Americans lose an average of four vacation days per year. That means if all working Americans miss four days, we will waste 500 million unused vacation days each year!
Why? Expedia says most people cancel due to work issues, some find it difficult to coordinate family schedules, while others prefer to cash in on their unused days.
If you think staying home this summer will help your relationship, think again. Before you decide to sacrifice your annual vacation, consider the benefits of vacationing as a couple.
Here are seven proven benefits of vacationing together as a couple.
1. It increases your happiness.
A summer vacation puts you in a better mood – it’s a fact.
Participants in a study published in the Journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life experienced an increase in happiness simply by planning a vacation. Moreover, this elated state of mind lasted an average of eight weeks.
2. It reduces the risk of heart disease in men.
That trip you’re planning to the Hamptons is good for his heart, science says.
A study conducted by the State University of New York, Oswego, found that middle-aged men who took regular annual vacations generally had a lower risk of death, especially those deaths attributed to coronary heart disease.
3. It improves women’s mental health.
According to a study published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal, women who take regular vacations are less likely to feel tense, depressed, or tired. In addition, these psychological benefits lead to a higher quality of life and also better work performance.
4. It improves marriage satisfaction.
The same study found that women who took more vacations were more satisfied with their marriages. Those who vacationed infrequently reported negatively impacting time spent with their children or partner. Time to pack your bags.
5. It reduces stress at work.
Are you tired of him constantly complaining about his tough boss? He needs a break. A study of 900 lawyers conducted by Canadian researchers Joudrey and Wallace found that leisure activities, such as taking vacations, relieved stress at work.
6. It strengthens family bonds.
The family that travels together stays together.
“Family vacations positively contribute to family bonding, communication and solidarity,” said a study by international researchers led by Purdue University Xinran Lehto, which examined the positive effects of vacations on families.
This is because of the time families spend together on vacation outside of their daily routine, making shared memories last a lifetime.
7. It cultivates intimacy in your relationship.
According to research commissioned by the US Travel Association, couples who travel together are “significantly more satisfied with their relationships, enjoying better sex and improved romance long after the trip is over.”
In fact, the study found that taking even a weekend getaway was more likely to spark romance than giving small or large gifts. Finally, we should note that not taking vacations is actually detrimental to labor productivity and the economy.
Diana Marie Collins is a lawyer, writer, food blogger and adjunct professor at the University of Scranton.