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Short Vacation Improves Stress-Level and Well-Being in German-Speaking Middle-Managers—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Cornelia Blank

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Katharina Gatterer

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Veronika Leichtfried

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Doris Pollhammer

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Maria Mair-Raggautz

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Stefan Duschek

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Psychology, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Egon Humpeler

    (IHS Forschungsinstitut für Urlaubs- und Freizeitmedizin Sowie Gesundheitstourimsus, 6900 Bregenz, Austria)

  • Wolfgang Schobersberger

    (Department of Psychology and Medical Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, UMIT, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
    Institute of Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

Stress in the work place has a detrimental effect on people’s health. Sufficient recovery is necessary to counteract severe chronic negative load reactions. Previous research has shown that vacationing for at least seven consecutive days provided an efficient recovery strategy. Yet, thus far, the effects of short vacations and the mode of vacation (whether at home or in a new environment) have rarely been studied. We investigated the immediate and long-term effects of a short vacation (four nights) on well-being and perceived stress and whether the mode of vacation impacted on these results. Data was obtained from 40 middle managers (67.5% men and 32.5% women). The intervention group ( n = 20) spent a short vacation in a hotel outside their usual environment. The control group ( n = 20) spent their vacation at home. Results indicated that one single short-term vacation, independent of the mode, has large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being. Strain levels decreased to a greater extent in the intervention group compared to the control group. The effects can still be detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation. Encouraging middle management employees to take short vacations seems to be an efficient health promotion strategy; environmental effects seem to play a minor role.

Suggested Citation

  • Cornelia Blank & Katharina Gatterer & Veronika Leichtfried & Doris Pollhammer & Maria Mair-Raggautz & Stefan Duschek & Egon Humpeler & Wolfgang Schobersberger, 2018. "Short Vacation Improves Stress-Level and Well-Being in German-Speaking Middle-Managers—A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:130-:d:126786
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto Alesina & Edward Glaeser & Bruce Sacerdote, 2005. "Work and Leisure in the U. S. and Europe: Why so Different?," Harvard Institute of Economic Research Working Papers 2068, Harvard - Institute of Economic Research.
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    Cited by:

    1. Philipp Schlemmer & Cornelia Blank & Martin Schnitzer, 2019. "Does Physical Activity during Alpine Vacations Increase Tourists’ Well-Being?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Jannati, Sima, 2025. "Rest and financial judgments: The impact of holidays on analyst accuracy," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    3. Daniel Badulescu & Ramona Simut & Ciprian Simut & Andrei-Vlad Badulescu, 2022. "Tourism at the Crossroads between Well-Being, Public Health and the Environment: Panel Data Evidence from the European Union," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Joris C. Verster & Lizanne Arnoldy & Aurora J.A.E. van de Loo & Aletta D. Kraneveld & Johan Garssen & Andrew Scholey, 2021. "The Impact of Having a Holiday or Work in Fiji on Perceived Immune Fitness," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Juan A. Marin-Garcia & Tomas Bonavia & Josep-Maria Losilla, 2020. "Changes in the Association between European Workers’ Employment Conditions and Employee Well-Being in 2005, 2010 and 2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-22, February.
    6. Sabrina Zeike & Katherine Bradbury & Lara Lindert & Holger Pfaff, 2019. "Digital Leadership Skills and Associations with Psychological Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-12, July.
    7. Pauline A. Hendriksen & Lizanne Arnoldy & Joris C. Verster, 2022. "State Neuroticism at Home and in Fiji: The Positive Effects of Having a Holiday to Reset Mind and Brain," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-7, September.

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