Page 110 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING start planning
Your Well Being Depends On It story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Singing River Health System
rom time to time everyone feels the need to take off time from work. Yet, 54 percent of Americans do not take time off for a total of 662 million unused days each
year, according to an organization called Project Time Off. As we look toward the summer months, maybe it’s time to start planning a vacation.
Dr. Roger Ridgeway, a psychiatrist with Singing River Health System, agrees and believes we live in a country where people
feel anxious and have a sense of worry if they get temporarily disconnected from their work. “They think that leaving their work venue would possibly leave them with a frenetic environment when they return,” he said. “They also may feel that they could get
behind, not meet certain goals, and some find it difficult to trust others to complete the work while they are out.”
injury rate, and other adverse health related behaviors,” he said.
Does the kind of work someone does relate to their need for a vacation? “In my opinion there is no ‘dream job’ and everyone is exposed to some degree of work related stress,” Ridgeway said. “However, different people perceive situations in contrast, and many, I believe,
have a tendency to put much more pressure on themselves than others. I see people from
all walks of life who work in a variety of occupations, and at the end of the day, I certainly feel all could benefit from taking time off.”
Ridgeway regularly recommends that patients take vacation to those who typically do not take time off. “I enjoy
Most importantly, Ridgeway
says employers often have
complete control over when a
person takes off, how long, and
even if they can take vacation.
“People are realizing that there
is little job security and we could
be laid off without notice, with only a few exceptions. I also believe many employees do not feel supported by their boss when taking vacation and if so, the numbers would change dramatically,” he added.
According to Ridgeway, studies continue to show that time off from our work not only leaves us more renewed and energized when we return, but not taking the time appears to put us at more risk for burn out. “This certainly can lead to poor job performance, higher
110 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2018
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Dr. Roger Ridgeway
seeing not only the positive impact it has on their demeanor when they return, but also the improvement in their relationships with family, co-workers, and friends.”
He also reminds patients that a vacation does not have to be an expensive getaway to an exotic place. “Also, I understand that not all vacations are stress free. However, those who do find the time to take off continue to have better mood, health, energy, and overall satisfaction with life,” he says.