Pjust like in a Fantozzi film, holidays in Italy they are still seen as the Holy Grail: magical and capable of healing. But above all they are never enough. To avoid any misunderstanding – for those workaholic workers who cannot conceive the idea of rest – science says so: according to some recent studies, the holidays we take today are not enough to recover the stress accumulated at work. The classic model of the long summer break it would not be enough to restore effectively mental and physical energies consumed during the year.
Stop more often, not longer
The research entitled “Maximizing Recovery: The Superiority of Frequent Vacations for Well-Being and Performance” suggests a different approach: do not concentrate your holidays in one or two long periods, but distribute them throughout the year. According to the authors, too short breaks — a weekend away, a few days away, a “minimal” but regular break — would have a significant impact on mental and physical well-being. The key element would not be duration, but frequency.
Because the brain needs regular breaks
Modern work, increasingly connected and continuous, puts pressure on our mental resources. The theory of the so-called “recovery from effort” explains that Accumulated stress without adequate breaks can result in chronic fatigue, loss of concentration and, in the worst cases, burnout. Holidays interrupt this cycle, allowing the body and mind to regenerate. But for this effect to be truly effective, we need a real disconnect from work.
The problem of long holidays
Several studies show an interesting phenomenon: the benefits of holidays tend to disappear quickly after returning. Even after long periods of rest, the return to intense rhythms can eliminate the accumulated positive effects in a few days. In other words, one long break per year may not be enough if the rest of the months are characterized by constant stress and high loads.
The solution: holidays every two months
The most interesting hypothesis that emerged from the research is that frequent holidays, even if short, can guarantee a better balance. Regularly interrupt your work routine it would reduce the build-up of stress and help maintain more stable levels of energy and motivation. According to this approach, a break every two months it could represent a good strategy to promote continuous recovery.
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