December 8, 2008As the year comes to a close and with people preparing to travel for the holidays to spend time with family and friends, it is important to remember that now more than ever vacations are a necessity – not a luxury.
Even during tough economic times, research shows clear benefits to taking time to rejuvenate and away from the stresses and strains of daily life. While it may seem tough to justify a vacation right now, the benefits - such as decreased stress levels, higher work productivity, better job performance, and improved relationships – of leading to better physical and emotional health are worth the investment. It’s an investment in your health.
The challenge is shifting the mindset into a healthier work-life balance. As it turns out, even before the downturn, Americans were working through their vacation time and taking fewer and shorter holidays. A survey conducted by VacationBetter.org showed that 75 percent of respondents didn’t take all of their vacation this year due to work demands or economic issues. In a time when Americans need to be committed to wellness and preventative health, many are giving up the one thing that shows clear benefits to overall physical and emotional health.
“Timeshare owners are more likely than others to take their vacation because they’ve pre-paid it and realize the benefits they get from a regular break.”
-John de Graaf
The timeshare industry has long promoted the benefits of vacationing at least once a year, recognizing the inherent value of rest and relaxation for overall wellness. And, timeshare owners continue to travel during rough economic periods. According to the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) 2008 Vacation Timeshare Owners Report, in the past year, 81.9 percent of timeshare owners used, exchanged or banked their time for future use. Only nine percent of all owners left their timeshare unused.
“Timeshare owners are more likely than others to take their vacation time because they’ve pre-paid it and realize the benefits they get from a regular break,” said John de Graaf, wellness advocate and author of Take Back Your Time. “Taking a vacation is essential for health and a great way to bring an entire family together.”
This holiday season, we encourage everyone to take time to reinvest in your well-being, for you and your family’s sake. Everyone deserves not only a vacation but a better vacation. For more information, visit www.VacationBetter.org.
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