Vacations are supposed to recharge us, yet many people return to work feeling like nothing has really changed. A new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Psychology challenges that perception. By combining data from 32 studies, Grant, Buchanan, and Shockley found that vacations genuinely improve well-being, and that the positive effects last longer than we thought.
The pattern is clear: the longer the break, the greater the boost in well-being, even if the return to work feels harder. Three weeks after going back, people still report feeling better than before they left. The body and mind need this time to reset. Ideally, a block of about ten days is long enough to disconnect yet short enough to avoid the rough landing that comes with re-entry.
The real secret isn’t the beach or the destination, it’s mental detachment. The researchers found that people who completely stop thinking about work (no emails, no notifications, no “quick check-ins”) benefit the most. Those who keep ruminating gain almost nothing. Disconnecting isn’t about willpower; it’s about health. Another key finding: movement matters. Vacations that include physical or social activity have longer-lasting effects than those focused solely on rest. Going far away isn’t necessary; what matters is breaking routines and giving the brain something new to focus on instead of Monday morning.
Vacations aren’t a luxury or a modern indulgence. They’re the period when the body restores the resources it depletes throughout the year. What makes a real difference isn’t the trip itself, but the quality of the silence we allow ourselves.