Study: Taking Less Than 3 Weeks Holiday in a Year May Shorten Your Lifespan

We’ve always known that taking a break from time to time will help us physically, mentally, and emotionally as a human being. But to what extent does it actually affect us?

Well, a 40-year study found that shockingly, people who took less than 3 weeks of holiday in a year are 37% more likely to die young as opposed to those who took more!

Researchers from this study said exercising and eating a healthy diet could not substitute for time off when it came to relieving stress.

Source: Asian Scientist Magazine

Professor Timo Strandberg, of the University of Helsinki in Finland said,

“Don’t think having an otherwise healthy lifestyle will compensate for working too hard and not taking holidays. Vacations can be a good way to relieve stress.”

The study which began in the 1970s also showed how stress affected oneself. Half of the 1,222 people who participated were given instructions to exercise, eat sensibly, achieve a healthy weight, and stop smoking ironically passed away earlier as opposed to the other half who were given NO advice.

The research, presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Munich, proved that the regular advice likely contributed to the extra stress in their lives which ultimately decreased their lifespan. Heard that mom!?

For the same group, results found that people who took less than 3 weeks of holiday in a year are 37% more likely to die young.

So, next time you think you need a getaway, take one! If your boss don’t allow, show him/her this article only lah!

Also read: Sleeping For Over 10 Hours A Day Increases Risk of Premature Death, Study Shows