Step right up, because we’ve found the real-life fountain of youth!
Well, not us exactly. But the University of Helsinki has conducted a 40-year study with some shocking (but not surprising) results.
So if you’re a travel fiend, good news! The results of this study showed that those who take more time off work each year ultimately live longer.
No, we aren’t kidding. People who take less than three weeks off work every year are 37 per cent more likely to die younger than people who make holidays a priority.
According to Lonely Planet, the research started tracking 1200 businessmen back in the 1970s, all of whom were considered to be at risk of developing heart disease because of their weight, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The men who didn’t take enough time off were not only more likely to die younger, but also worked more in their regular time and slept less as well – a clear difference to those who took holiday time each year.
The results were announced recently at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Munich, where lead researcher Professor Timo Strandberg said that doctors should prescribe holidays rather than lifestyle changes to patients at risk of heart disease.
“Don’t think having an otherwise healthy lifestyle will compensate for working too hard and not taking holidays,” he said. “Vacations can be a good way to relieve stress.”
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