The Scientific Findings Behind Ideal Vacation Length

The state of the American vacation is simply abysmal. As iBestTravel previously reported, nearly half of workers in the United States leave vacation days unused—and when they do take a vacation, they tend only to enjoy a four-day break.

It’s time to change all that. Moreover, research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies indicates that the ideal length of a vacation is exactly eight days.

As researchers noted, a vacationer will feel an increase of happiness over the first several days of vacation, with that feeling peaking on the eighth day, The Times-Picayune explained. Furthermore, an eight-day trip provides travelers with sufficient time to unpack, familiarize themselves, and settle into a new, more relaxed routine.

After the eighth day, those positive vibes and wellness benefits begin to taper off, according to the researchers’ findings.

The Scientific Reason You Love to Travel

In their conclusion, researchers stated, “It takes some time to wind down after a stressful work period and acclimatize to vacation.” Consequently, the advantages of an eight-day vacation may be well worth the time off sacrifice, as travelers often find they are sleeping better, feeling reduced stress, and experiencing an overall sense of well-being long after returning home.

For these reasons alone, it’s justifiable to plan for longer vacations.

“Asking why we should keep going on vacations is…comparable to asking why we should go to sleep considering the fact that we get tired again,” the study noted.

However, this doesn’t mean you need to pack your bags for a worldwide adventure. Even individuals who prefer to stay close to home—staycation anyone?—will reap the same physical and psychological rewards.

Taking time away from stressors, be it work or home responsibilities, can likely provide you with similar positive benefits as an eight-day trip abroad. Of course, using a significant block of PTO days can facilitate experiences in exciting, more far-flung destinations.

Now that you’re ready to request eight full days away from your desk, it’s time to plan effectively for your time off.