Have you taken your summer vacation yet? A SUNY Oswego study has shown that men who took more vacations had better health.
Surprisingly, researchers found men who actually worked five or more years without taking any vacations. This group demonstrated a higher death rate with more heart disease.
An Oxford Health Plan survey showed 17 percent of workers do not take vacation because they have so many job demands. There are people who actually accrue vacation time that goes unused. Workers often eat lunch at their desks, never venture outdoors during their shifts, come to work sick or injured, and admit they can't sleep at night because of work worries.
This seems to be an American phenomenon. Out of all the industrialized nations, we take the least amount of vacations. The Journal of Health Affairs published a study this year showing the United States ranks 18th out of 18 countries tracking preventable deaths. It is believed the cost of health care and insurance is to blame, but I wonder if it has more to do with people working so much that they don't take time for their health.
People who are overworked generally don't make good health decisions especially how they spend their time. Lack of rest alone leads to poor health because the healing response is automatically hindered. People who are overworked believe they have no control over their time, which is an attitude that can be deadly.
While workaholism is not an official psychological disorder (yet), it is described as a defensive personality trait similar to obsessive compulsive disorder. It may be admirable to work hard, but once the physical capacity to rejuvenate has been depleted, workaholics sadly throw away their lives.
If vacations are an important way to stay healthy, how about adopting a daily vacation attitude? While two to four weeks a year is the traditional break given by charitable employers, the bigger picture should be how to make “time balance” a constant priority.
Taking some time off everyday to walk, grocery shop for a home cooked meal or enjoy nature are some ideas (and TV watching doesn't count). Time like this away from work provides a restful diversion preventing exhaustion.
A weekly visit to the chiropractor is the equivalent of a mini-vacation because spinal adjustments rejuvenate the body by resetting nervous system pathways worn down by mental and physical stress. Efficient healing and more energy are pleasant results that help people feel more relaxed and less pressured by the details of life.
People who go regularly to the chiropractor have better immune systems, cardio-vascular health, brain function, muscle strength and overall resistance.
They tend to feel more motivated to participate in other healthy activities, which helps reinforce improved habits.
Since most of us can't stop working, the stress will continue and chiropractic is our best defense. Getting to the chiropractor throughout the year also allows for another big bonus: less likelihood of being sick while on vacation.
Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com
An Oxford Health Plan survey showed 17 percent of workers do not take vacation because they have so many job demands. There are people who actually accrue vacation time that goes unused. Workers often eat lunch at their desks, never venture outdoors during their shifts, come to work sick or injured, and admit they can't sleep at night because of work worries.
This seems to be an American phenomenon. Out of all the industrialized nations, we take the least amount of vacations. The Journal of Health Affairs published a study this year showing the United States ranks 18th out of 18 countries tracking preventable deaths. It is believed the cost of health care and insurance is to blame, but I wonder if it has more to do with people working so much that they don't take time for their health.
People who are overworked generally don't make good health decisions especially how they spend their time. Lack of rest alone leads to poor health because the healing response is automatically hindered. People who are overworked believe they have no control over their time, which is an attitude that can be deadly.
While workaholism is not an official psychological disorder (yet), it is described as a defensive personality trait similar to obsessive compulsive disorder. It may be admirable to work hard, but once the physical capacity to rejuvenate has been depleted, workaholics sadly throw away their lives.
If vacations are an important way to stay healthy, how about adopting a daily vacation attitude? While two to four weeks a year is the traditional break given by charitable employers, the bigger picture should be how to make “time balance” a constant priority.
Taking some time off everyday to walk, grocery shop for a home cooked meal or enjoy nature are some ideas (and TV watching doesn't count). Time like this away from work provides a restful diversion preventing exhaustion.
A weekly visit to the chiropractor is the equivalent of a mini-vacation because spinal adjustments rejuvenate the body by resetting nervous system pathways worn down by mental and physical stress. Efficient healing and more energy are pleasant results that help people feel more relaxed and less pressured by the details of life.
People who go regularly to the chiropractor have better immune systems, cardio-vascular health, brain function, muscle strength and overall resistance.
They tend to feel more motivated to participate in other healthy activities, which helps reinforce improved habits.
Since most of us can't stop working, the stress will continue and chiropractic is our best defense. Getting to the chiropractor throughout the year also allows for another big bonus: less likelihood of being sick while on vacation.
Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com
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