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New research suggests
that working for years without taking vacations could put people at risk
for early death, particularly from heart disease.
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Researchers analyzed the relationship between
death rates and vacation frequency in more than 12,000 men who participated
in a study of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
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The Difference in death rates was most significant
between the 13% of participants who never took a vacation and the
26% who reported taking five vacations a year.
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The five-vacation group
had a one-third lower risk of dying during the 9-year study period
compared with the no-vacation group.
- Even more significant, the five-vacation group
had a 40% lower risk of dying compared with the no-vacation group.
"Although the specific mechanism of this association
remains unknown, these findings suggest the importance of considering the
health benefits of restorative behaviors, such as vacationing," the
researchers conclude. "Vacations may not only
be enjoyable but also health promoting."
Psychosomatic Medicine
September/October, 2000;62:608-612.
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