Why holidays benefit employees and employers, and how to maximise your time off work

A break from work can help well-being and performance more than previously thought, research suggests – if we disengage properly. Here’s how

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Holidays centred around physical activity are particularly good for recharging for work, a new study suggests. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 3:15pm, 14 Feb 2025

Workers everywhere savour the few days or weeks of each year they are able to take away from their workplace, whether it is spent relaxing on a beach or just chilling on their sofa.

A new analysis suggests employers should relish holiday time, also.

According to research published by the University of Georgia (UGA) in the United States, holidays can boost employee well-being even more than previously thought – and their positive effects last long past the break’s end.

“Job demands and job stress are on the rise. But people think that they can’t take time off because they don’t want to look bad or lose out on an opportunity for promotion,” UGA doctoral student and lead author of the study Ryan Grant says.

UGA doctoral student Ryan Grant led the study. Photo: University of Georgia

“We think working more is better, but we actually perform better by taking care of ourselves.”