“People need to understand the important health benefits they will get from taking time away from their normal routine,” says John de Graaf, executive director of Take Back Your Time, an initiative encouraging time outside of work. “Vacations are not a luxury but an important part of any healthy lifestyle.”

De Graaf’s research points to hectic, work-life balance issues in the United States as a leading contributor to why Americans don’t take the time or often overlook the importance of vacations. Furthermore, getting away for regular vacations proves challenging for many, especially in tough economic times. There is growing evidence, however, that investing in a vacation means investing in your personal health and overall well-being. One to two weeks away from the daily routine leads to better job performance and productivity, increasing reaction times by 30 to 40 percent. In addition, quality of sleep increases by about one hour a night upon return from vacation. “Simply put, people can’t afford not to take a vacation,” says de Graaf.