Company Website:
http://www.healthnet.com
LOS ANGELES -- (Business Wire)
With summer now in full swing, Health
Net, Inc. is working to increase awareness that taking a vacation
not only can be fun, but it also can help bring a variety of health
benefits.
While it might be assumed that Americans happily take time off, the
reality – according to Glassdoor’s Q1 2014 Employment Confidence Survey
– is that the average U.S. employee only takes half of his or her
eligible vacation time. The survey also says:
-
Among those who actually do go on vacation, three in five admitted to
doing some work; and
-
A quarter of vacationing employees were contacted by a coworker, and
20 percent were contacted by their supervisor, about a work-related
issue.
“That’s a shame,” said Steve Blake, vice president of Clinical
Operations at Managed
Health Network, Inc., a subsidiary of Health Net, “because a number
of studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have
physical and psychological health benefits.
“Workers who don’t take advantage of the vacation time that they’re
eligible for could be shortchanging themselves in terms of benefits to
their health,” added Blake.
Downtime May Decrease Heart Disease
A host of studies have highlighted the potential cardiovascular-health
benefits of taking a vacation, including:
-
The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial for the Prevention of
Coronary Heart Disease sponsored by the National Institutes of
Health’s Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The trial followed 12,000
men over a nine-year period that had a high risk for coronary heart
disease. The study found that any such men who take frequent annual
vacations were 21 percent less likely to die from any cause and were
32 percent more likely to die from heart disease.
-
The landmark Framingham Heart Study – the largest and longest-running
study of cardiovascular disease – revealed that men who didn’t take a
vacation for several years were 30 percent more likely to have heart
attacks compared to men who did not take time off. And women who took
a vacation only once every six years or less were almost eight times
more likely to develop coronary heart disease or have a heart attack
compared to women who vacationed at least twice a year.
Other Upsides of Downtime
In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease, studies have shed
light on several other potential health benefits associated with
vacationing, including:
- Decreased depression – A study conducted by Marshfield Clinic
of 1,500 women in rural Wisconsin determined that those who vacationed
less often than once every two years were more likely to suffer from
depression and increased stress than women who took vacations at least
twice a year. Similarly, the University of Pittsburgh’s Mind Body
Center surveyed some 1,400 individuals and found that leisure
activities – including taking vacations – contributed to higher
positive emotional levels and less depression. The benefits of
vacationing also extended to lower blood pressure and smaller
waistlines.
- Less stress – A study released last year by the American
Psychological Association concluded that vacations work to reduce
stress by removing people from activities and environments that tend
to be sources of stress. Similarly, a Canadian study of nearly 900
lawyers found that taking vacations helped alleviate job stress.
- Improved productivity – The professional services firm Ernst &
Young conducted an internal study of its employees and found that, for
each additional 10 hours of vacation employees took, their year-end
performance ratings improved 8 percent, and frequent vacationers also
were significantly less likely to leave the firm. Additionally,
research by the Boston Consulting Group found that high-level
professionals who were required to take time off were significantly
more productive overall than those who spent more time working.
“Many of these studies point to the importance of achieving balance in
life,” said Blake. “At MHN, for example, we offer a series of work-life
seminars to help manage stress and enhance wellness by striking a
balance between meeting daily responsibilities and challenges, while
also weaving in relaxation.”
Follow Health Net
Medical Advice Disclaimer
The information provided is not intended as medical advice or as a
substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other health provider for any questions you may have
regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider’s
instructions.
About Health Net
Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) is a publicly traded managed care
organization that delivers managed health care services through health
plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to
help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net provides and
administers health benefits to approximately 5.5 million individuals
across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the
Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”),
Medicaid, U.S. Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans
Affairs programs. Health Net also offers behavioral health, substance
abuse and employee assistance programs, managed health care products
related to prescription drugs, managed health care product coordination
for multi-region employers, and administrative services for medical
groups and self-funded benefits programs.
For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net’s
website at www.healthnet.com.
This release contains references and links to other websites that may
contain content that is not owned or controlled by Health Net. Please be
aware that references or links to other websites are provided for the
user’s convenience and that Health Net is not responsible for any such
content that is not owned or controlled by Health Net. Health Net does
not express an opinion on any such content and disclaims any liability
in connection therewith.
Contacts:
Health Net, Inc.
Lori Rieger, (602) 794-1415
lori.rieger@healthnet.com
www.twitter.com/hnlori
Source: Health Net, Inc.
© 2024 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.