- According to the WHO, approximately two million employees die each year from work-related causes.
- The main risk is exposure to long working hours because it is behind 750 thousand deaths.
- Taking a few days of vacation helps reduce stress and increase productivity, which has a positive impact on mental health.
Vacations are a right for all workers but beyond being a moment of relaxation it is also a tool to take care of mental health. Given the high levels of stress and anxiety that exist in the world, taking advantage of a few days off is of great help.
“Regular vacations help prevent Burnout Syndrome, a disorder that results from the physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to work. Adequate rest and free time are essential to maintain constant work performance,” explains Yunue Cárdenas, Coordinator of the Affor Health Hub.
With this in mind, figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) They estimate that approximately two million employees die each year from work-related causes, the main risk being exposure to long working hours (750,000 deaths).
With this in mind, we share some reasons why Taking vacations has a positive impact on your productivity and especially on your mental health.
1. Stress reduction
In Mexico, it is estimated that 63% of employees have suffered work stress in the last two years, and of this figure 23% have been exposed to it all the time, according to data from OCC World. In this sense, taking vacations helps reduce stress and focus on activities that generate a feeling of well-being, which later allows you to approach work activities with a more positive and efficient attitude.
2. Increase productivity
Contrary to popular beliefs, resting does not affect work productivity; on the contrary, it can improve it, since those employees who take time off for several days allow them to recharge their batteries and return with a clearer mind and greater satisfaction in work. Your activities. On the other hand, avoiding or postponing vacations can affect performance and work efficiency.
3. Balance
According to the OECD, Mexico is the country with the highest average number of hours worked per employee (2,137), exceeding the global average of 1,726. In this sense, taking vacations helps to counteract this imbalance between personal and work life, allowing employees to spend more time with their loved ones or develop a recreational activity that at the same time contributes to improving their mental health.
The Index for a Better Life report states that in Mexico almost 29% of employees have very long working hours; This figure is much higher than the average of OECD countries, which is 9%, so maintaining a balance is essential for a better quality of life.
4. Creativity
Vacations not only provide a physical and mental rest, but can also inspire creativity, since it breaks routine patterns and allows you to pause, which is beneficial for the information and ideas that are developed to be assimilated and connect the brain at another time, thus generating something new.
5. Energy
Adequate rest and free time allow the body and mind to recover from exhaustion. When employees take vacations, they get away from the demands of work and can relax, which helps recharge physical and mental energy.
Also read:
Vacations and mental health: Benefits of getting out of the routine
Work break: Protects mental health and increases productivity up to 70%
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