Holidays have an important positive effect on well-being, which does not fade as quickly as we thought. However, for that, the latter must be active.
Are you going on vacation soon? This is a good thing, because this period of work stoppage is not only a pleasant advantage, it is essential to your well-being. This is what researchers from the University of Georgia (United States) have put forward in a study published in the journal Journal of Applied Psychology. As part of it, they relied on a conclusion drawn by an old meta-analysis: “The advantages of the holidays in terms of well-being are low and disappear quickly, suggesting that the holidays may not be a recovery opportunity so effective in improving the well-being of employees.”
The advantages of the holidays last long after return to work
However, since this first meta-analysis, the number of research on the holidays has increased, which makes it possible to establish more precise estimates and to better understand the different factors that play a role in the link between the holidays and the well- be. Thus, the team reviewed 32 works to examine how employees’ well-being levels change due to the holidays. The results revealed that the holidays, which reduce the negative impact of prolonged professional stress and tension, had a significant positive effect on well-being, and that the advantages persist well after return to work . “With regard to moderators, our data suggest that the duration of the holidays, the national culture and the number of days of compulsory vacation at the national level moderate this association, but the role of the vacation place (that is to say far from home, at home or a mixture of the two) is not clear “, Can we read in the study.
The way you spend your vacation is very important
Secondly, the authors were interested in the link between the types of activities and the specific recovery experiences during the holidays and well-being during and after the holidays using a meta-analysis of eight cohorts . According to data, the fact of mentally disconnecting from work is crucial to improve well-being. Physical activities, such as swimming or hiking, appeared as another key factor to obtain lasting advantages. This was not observed for the so-called “passive” holidays, that is to say the fact of sunbathing a good part of the day.
In the conclusions, the researchers advise employees to provide buffer days before and after their trip. “Taking the time to suit your suitcases and prepare for stress before the holidays, while having a day or two to readjust you after the return can facilitate transition to professional life”, They said before adding that faced with these results, employers should encourage employees to take off vacation more often.
