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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of vacation on health: moderating factors of vacation outcome.

BACKGROUND: Vacation has recently become a topic of interest in health research as both beneficial and adverse health effects have been documented. The present study was aimed at identifying vacation characteristics predicting health-related vacation outcome. METHODS: One hundred ninety-one predominantly white-collar employees (109 female, 82 males; mean age 37.8 yr, range 16-62 yr) received a questionnaire in the week after vacation assessing subject characteristics, physical vacation characteristics, the individual structuring of the day, health and social behavior, and stress during vacation as well as the perceived change of recuperation and exhaustion from before to after a vacation. Regression analysis was used to identify variables predicting vacation outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-seven percent of the variance of the change of recuperation and 15% of the change of exhaustion could be explained. Recuperation was facilitated by free time for one's self, warmer (and sunnier) vacation locations, exercise during vacation, good sleep, and making new acquaintances, especially among vacationers reporting higher levels of prevacation work strain. Exhaustion was increased by vacation-related health problems and a greater time-zone difference to home, and was reduced by warmer vacation locations. CONCLUSION: Health-related vacation outcome is significantly affected by the way an individual organizes his or her vacation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Evaluation of physician-accompanied vacation trips for heart patients ("heart vacation trips"). Participants' satisfaction and long term impact on health related quality of life].

Physician-accompanied vacation trips for heart patients (so-called "heart vacations trips") have been offered since 1981 and have been regulated by guidelines by the German Society of Prevention and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Diseases since 1993. The goal of this evaluation is to assess the satisfaction of the participants and to analyze the long-term impact on health-related quality of life. Between October 1995 and May 1998, 22 vacation trips with 228 participants were evaluated. Satisfaction with the vacation trips was assessed by a questionnaire specifically designed for this study. Health-related quality of life was measured with 5 discrete scales from the standardized and validated instrument "Profile of Quality of Life for the Chronically Ill" ("physical capacity", "ability to enjoy and relax", "positive mood", "absence of negative mood", "sociability"). The proportion of satisfied or very satisfied participants ranged from 81 % (accommodations) to 94 % (physician care). Regarding health-related quality of life, significant or borderline significant improvements were observed on three of the five scales (ability to enjoy and relax: p = 0.02, positive mood: p = 0.001, physical capacity: p = 0.08). Stratified analyses showed improvements for younger participants (< or = 70 years) on all five quality of life scales, whereas no statistically significant improvement was found for older participants. Participants who had a cardiovascular disease other than coronary heart disease showed significant improvements on four scales, whereas participants with coronary heart disease only showed an increase on the scale "positive mood". This evaluation shows that physician-accompanied vacation trips were assessed very positively by the participants and that these trips are associated with long-term improvement in health-related quality of life for specific groups of participants.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Vacation-still an issue of workers' protection? An empirical study of vacation and recuperation.

The aim of this study was to investigate how commonly employees take vacation or compensatory leave instead of sick leave, and how commonly they do not feel rested/recuperated following a fairly lengthy vacation. In the study group (n = 2,536), consisting of a representative sample based on Sweden's regular labor-market surveys, 14 percent of subjects had taken vacation or compensatory leave over the previous 12 months instead of taking sick leave. As many as 15 percent of subjects in the entire sample reported not being rested/recuperated when returning to work following several weeks' leave. A stepwise logistic regression prediction model was constructed to compute the probabilities of not being recuperated. Personal financial situation is a contributory factor, but there is also a strong correlation with the way work is organized.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Instead of vacation at shoal resort, a stay in the hospital--aspects of illness during vacation].

Every summer, the number of hospitalizations for acute deterioration of a chronic disease increases in the Southern Northsea holiday region. These patients usually are holiday-makers coming to the region for recreation. This study analyzes the relationships among acute illness, reason for going on holiday, existing chronic disease, mode of transport/arrival, and consultation of general practitioner beforehand. A total of 62 holiday-makers from the region who had been hospitalized for internal illness were included in the study. 80.6% of them knew to be suffering from a chronic disease. In 41 patients, acute deterioration of their chronic condition within a few days after their arrival had resulted in admission to the hospital. Usually, their doctor had not advised against the intended holiday trip. The study findings indicate that chronically ill patients need individualized counselling about potential medical hazards associated with their chronic condition especially in light of the physical and emotional strains involved in an intended holiday. Also, mention should be made of the possibilities for participating in an organized health-resort programme.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for myocardial infarction during vacation travel.

OBJECTIVES: Medical emergencies occur increasingly outside the usual health care area as a result of increased leisure and professional travel. Acute coronary syndromes are the leading cause of mortality during vacation. Vacation activities include physical and emotional triggers for myocardial infarction (MI). This study examines characteristics of vacation travel as risk factors for MI. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with MI during vacation abroad (N = 92; age, 59.5 +/- 10.2; 79 men) were recruited through an emergency health insurance organization. Risk indicators for Vacation MI were examined and included: cardiovascular risk factors, psychosocial measures, and specific demands and activities related to vacation (eg, lodging accommodations, unfamiliar destination, mode of transportation, short-term planning). Vacation MI patients were compared with two reference groups: age-matched Vacation Controls with noncardiovascular medical emergencies (N = 67) and Hospital MI Controls, admitted in their usual health care area (N = 30). RESULTS: Vacation MI occurred disproportionately (21.1%) during the first 2 days of vacation. Cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent among Vacation MI patients than Vacation Controls (p values <.05) but not compared with Hospital MI Controls. Vacation MI occurred more often in patients with lower education (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.1-5.2) and those living with a spouse (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.0-7.1) than age-matched Vacation Controls. Compared with Hospital MI Controls, Vacation MI occurred more often among patients traveling by car versus other modes of transportation (OR = 2.5, CI = 1.0-6.1) and among patients staying in a tent or mobile home versus hotel (OR = 9.7, CI = 2.0-47.9). CONCLUSION: Incidence of MI during vacation is highest during the first 2 days of vacation. Vacation activities such as adverse driving conditions and less luxurious accommodations may increase risk for MI. Individuals with known vulnerability for MI may therefore benefit from minimizing physical and emotional challenges specifically related to vacation travel.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Does vacation enable recuperation? Changes in well-being associated with time away from work.

The objective of this paper was to study the change of well-being associated with vacation and the effect of vacation related variables on these changes. Fifty-three employees (16 women, 37 men) of a medium sized aluminium hardware manufacturer in Austria participated. Measures were taken 10 days before and 3 days after vacation. A small follow-up group at 5 weeks post-vacation was included. Three days after vacation, physical complaints, the quality of sleep and mood had improved as compared to before vacation. Average life satisfaction did not change during vacation. Five weeks after vacation subjects still reported less physical complaints than before vacation. The experienced recuperation during vacation explained 56% of the variance regarding the change of well-being. Moderating variables of recuperation were the amount of personally available time and vacation satisfaction. Furthermore, the number of stressful days at home were associated negatively, while the number of non-stressful days at home and the number of days away from home correlated moderately positively with recuperation. The study indicates that vacation may improve well-being on a short term basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Recovery, well-being, and performance-related outcomes: the role of workload and vacation experiences.

On the basis of theoretical assumptions regarding resource gain and loss (S. E. Hobfoll, 1998), the authors used a longitudinal study to examine effects of vacation on well-being and performance-related outcomes. University employees (N = 221) completed measures of well-being (health complaints and burnout) and performance-related outcomes (self-reported task performance and effort expenditure) 1 week before and 2 days and 2 weeks after vacation and measures of workload 2 days after vacation. Specific vacation experiences (positive and negative work reflection, relaxation, mastery experience, and nonwork hassles) were assessed during vacation. Results showed changes in well-being and self-reported effort expenditure from before to after vacation, revealing vacation effects and partial fade-out effects. In addition, vacation experiences and workload significantly predicted some of the outcomes. The authors discuss applicability of the theoretical approach in the context of vacation and fade-out effects, implications for future research on recovery processes, and practical implications.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of a respite from work on burnout: vacation relief and fade-out.

In a quasi-experiment designed to examine the relief from job stress and burnout afforded by a vacation respite, 76 clerks completed measures of job stress and burnout twice before a vacation, once during vacation, and twice after vacation. There was a decline in burnout during the vacation and a return to prevacation levels by the time of the second postvacation measure. Comparing the two prevacation measures indicated no anticipation effects. However, the return to work showed gradual fade-out, as burnout returned part way toward its prevacation level by 3 days after the vacation and all the way by 3 weeks after the vacation. Women and those satisfied with their vacations experienced greater relief; however, both subsamples also experienced the quickest fade-out. The respite effect and its complete fade-out were detected among all subgroups analyzed. Burnout, relief, interpersonal stress crossover, and burnout climate at work are discussed.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2006

Improvement of metabolic syndrome markers through altitude specific hiking vacations.

To study the influence of a 3-week hiking vacation at moderate (1700 m) and low altitude (LA) (200 m) on key-markers of the metabolic syndrome, 71 male volunteers (age 36-66 yr old) with the metabolic syndrome [according to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) - or World Health Organization (WHO) - definition] participated in the study and were randomly assigned into a moderate altitude (MA) group (1700 m, no. 36) and a low altitude (LA) group (200 m, no. 35). The 3-week vacation program included 12 moderate- intensity guided hiking tours [4 times/week, 55-65% heart rate maximum (HRmax)] with a total exercise time of 29 h plus moderate recreational activities. Both study groups had a comparable and balanced nutrition with no specific dietary restrictions. Anthropometric, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were measured 10-14 days before vacation, several times during the 3-week vacation, 7-10 days and 6-8 weeks after return. All participants tolerated the vacation without any adverse effects. Body weight, body fat, waist-circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), plasma fibrinogen, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased over time in both study groups. In the LA group, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-index were significantly decreased one week after return. Relative cycle ergometry performance was significantly increased after return compared to baseline. In both study groups, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides remained unchanged. The 3-week vacation intervention at moderate and LA had a positive influence on all key-markers of the metabolic syndrome. No clinically relevant differences could be detected between the study groups. A hiking vacation at moderate and LA can be recommended for people with stable, controlled metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vacation at moderate and low altitude improves perceived health in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that vacation may improve cardiovascular health, an effect possibly moderated by altitude. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of a 3-week vacation at moderate and low altitude on perceived health in individuals with increased cardiovascular risk. METHODS: Seventy-two overweight males, both occupationally active and retired (mean age=56.6 +/- 7.2 years), with signs of metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to identical sojourns at either moderate (1,700 m) or low (300 m) altitude and engaged in four 3- to 4-h heart-rate-controlled hiking tours per week. Perceived health was measured 2 weeks before vacation, at the beginning and end of vacation, and 7 weeks after vacation. RESULTS: Fitness, recreational ability, positive and negative mood and social activities improved during vacation, independent of altitude and occupational status, although the day-to-day improvement in quality of sleep was delayed at moderate altitude. During the follow-up examinations, improvements in all reported aspects of health except for social activities were maintained. In comparison to retired individuals, active individuals showed a greater long-term improvement in social activities. CONCLUSION: Vacation positively affects perceived health independent of altitude or occupational status in generally inactive overweight males.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Firm but fair policies for staff vacations and holidays.

Paid holiday and vacations are a wonderful employee benefit for your staff. However, without some firm policies in place that anticipate and avoid problems, holidays and vacations can backfire in a medical practice and become a source of problems both for the practice and for the staff. This article provides concrete tips for reducing vacation and holiday conflicts and particularly for structuring a firm-but-fair vacation policy for new employees. It provides guidance for solo practitioners' vacation scheduling and offers a list of the most common paid holidays in professional practices today. In addition, this article offers answers to common holiday and vacation scheduling questions such as how to handle holidays that fall during a vacation and weekend holidays. Finally, this article offers specific advice for making the December holiday season a pleasant and trouble-free one for your staff.

Holidays↗