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Stephanie Delgado

UWRT 1102
12/01/2016
Need a Break?
Getting to know new places, new faces different cultures are the fascinations of
traveling. I have traveled around many different countries. I have had the opportunity
to get to know new cultures.Traveling is an indescribable experience you wont know till
you try it. Are jobs required to give their employees vacation days? In the United States
it is not required but many other developed countries give their employees up to 42
days of vacation not including holidays (Ray, Schimitt). Which is why more than one
third of American workers experience chronic stress ( American Psychological
Association 2014). Traveling is known as a privilege and a hobby but no one pays
attention to the benefits it has on ourselves. Traveling is beneficial to our health,
careers and relationships.
Stress is a conflict everyone goes through. Kids, money, careers, school can all
be factors that cause stress. There are times where you just need a break and stress is
a way of your body telling you that you need a break. One of the top health benefits of
traveling is stress relief. There is research showing that even if you take a vacation for
a weekend its highly beneficial to help reduce stress levels (Chen, Petrick 2014).
Stress can be triggered by lack of sleep and conflicts (Loffredi). During a vacation you
are more than likely to be able to have time to catch up on your sleep.To feel more
relaxed the National Sleep Foundation requires adults to have atleast seven hours of
sleep per night (Loffredi). There is research showing that traveling has its psychological

effects. Dr. Margaret J. King states that there is benefits from change of venue for
example home and work (Loffredi). Traveling has been proved to help with peoples
emotional state A 2014 survey conducted by Diamond Resorts International found
over three-quarters of respondents reported feeling happier when they planned a trip at
least once a year (Loffredi). It is important to keep up with your health before its too
late and you cant do anything about it.
Everyone worries about their careers, they go to school for it and spend most of
their time trying to be successful. Overloading yourself with work would just lead to
stress and poor work performance. The competition of job positions are becoming
more and more competitive each day which is why U.S. employees only took about 16
vacation days in 2013, down from about 20 in 2000 (Loffredi). Traveling can help you
see the world in another perspective, which could benefit your career performance. For
example Scott Harrison was inspired by the places he traveled that his career took a
shift from a nightclub and party promoter to being a CEO and founder of a non- profit
organization called Charity; Water( Thetford). The United States has a high number of
immigrants many of whom do not speak english, traveling can help you get exposed to
other languages. The job outlook for translators and interpreters are projected to
increase by 46% percent by 2022(Thetford). Learning another language gives you an
advantage in the work field. Its good to be exposed to different types of people, to go
out of your comfort zone or environment. Traveling would expose you to different
people of different cultures and races which you would see in customers and

teammates. Research has been shown that when you take a vacation and travel your
quality of work is more than likely to increase (Thetford).
Are you fighting with you wife/husband, family or friends constantly? The silent
treatment doesnt work but what does work is taking a break from your life and going
on a vacation. Researchers believe that family relationships are improved when you
take a break from your daily routines. A research was performed with 265 families and
the results were that the family experienced bonding, communication and solidarity
(Lehto, Xinran). Many families after the vacation felt connected with everyone in their
family. Family traveling has been an important builder of family well-beings
(Chesworth 2003). The quote by Pico Iyer We travel, in essence, to become young
fools again---to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more has been
researched to be true in many cases (Durko, Petrick). Traveling slows down time and
gives you tie to realize what you want or have especially when it comes to love.
Recent studies have showed that traveling has helped couples from getting a divorce
(Durko ,Petrick). The Malaysian government looked into reducing the divorce rates in
their country by making couples go on a one last honeymoon vacation before getting
the divorce. During the getaway they do have to see a marriage counselor. The results
of the research were that the 278 couples that went on the honeymoon all 278
couples stayded married (Durko, Petrick). Traveling helps strengthen relationships
with family and friends. Next time you have a conflict try traveling first before making
decisions about the relationship.

There are times where you need a break and traveling is the best way to take a
step back and reflect. Everyone should travel at least once every month, even if its a
quick trip. If the trip is short it can still be very beneficial. Traveling can be beneficial to
everyone in many different ways. Having the opportunity to be healthy is a privilege
everyone should reward their bodies with a break or a vacation.

Works Cited

American Psychological Association (2014). 2013 American Work and Well-being Survey.
.

N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2014

Chen, C., J. Petrick, and M. Shahvali. 2014. Tourism Experiences as a Stress Reliever
.

Examining the Effects of Tourism Recovery Experiences on Life Satisfaction. N.p.,

n.d. .

Web. 14 Dec.2014

Durko, Angela M., and James F. Petrick. "Travel as Relationship Therapy." Travel as
Relationship Therapy. N.p., 05 July 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2016.

Lehto, Xinran Y., Yi-Chin Lin, and Shelley M. MacDermid. "VACATION AND FAMILY
FUNCTIONING." VACATION AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
.

Nov. 2016.

Loffredi, Julie. "Why Travel Is Good For Your Health." US News. U.S.News & World
Report, 23 Sept. 2015. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.

Ray, Rebecca, Schmitt John. "European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) - No-vacation
.

Nation USA - a Comparison of Leave and Holiday in OECD Countries / European .

Economic, Employment and Social Policy / Policy Briefs / Publications / Home."

European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) - No-vacation Nation USA - a Comparison .of
Leave and Holiday in OECD Countries / European Economic, Employment and Social
Policy / Policy Briefs / Publications / Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.

Thetford, Caris. "3 Reasons to Hop on a Plane and Leave the Country " How Travel Can
.
Benefit Your Career - The Muse. N.p., 14 Apr. 2015. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.

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