<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"This week, the Healthy SELF blog is being written from the beach, as we are taking a much-needed vacation. Like most Americans, we have a hard time letting go of work -- according to a study by the Families and Work Institute, less than half of us take the full vacation time available to us (on average, 12 days per year in the U.S.).\\n\\n\\n\\nThing is, [health-wise](/health/2010/07/8-easy-health-improvers-slideshow), vacation is as much a necessity as it is a luxury. Here's why we're taking a week to chill, and why you should too:\\n\\nBelieve it or not, there are scientists whose job it is to study the [health](/health) of vacationers vs. non-vacationers. According to the chillaxing experts, vacationers:\\n\\n[The New Ambition: How to find a career to care about!](/health/2010/07/find-a-career-you-care-about)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\\\* Are more satisfied and [find more meaning in life](/health/2010/07/find-your-true-calling)\\n\\n\\\\* Are more spiritual and have a lot of [support from family and friends](/health/2010/08/four-reasons-friends-are-good-for-you-slideshow)\\n\\n\\\\* Have lower [blood pressure](/health/2006/01/reduce-heart-disease-risk)\\n\\n\\\\* Have lower levels of stress hormones\\n\\n\\\\* Have [smaller waists](/calculatorsprograms/calculators/happyweight)\\n\\n\\\\* Outlive non-vacationers\\n\\n\\\\* Are more satisfied with their marriage\\n\\n\\\\* Suffer fewer mental illnesses -- and are just [much happier in general](/health/2010/05/anxiety-and-depression-resource-guide)!\\n\\n\\n\\nAnd the list goes on.\\n\\n\\n\\nAre you taking time off this summer? Tell us how you take time to relax and recharge your body."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.self.com/story/not-taking-a-summer-vacay-coul>