Holiday benefits last longer than we thought

No holiday can last forever — but their positive effects might last longer than we thought.

New research, published recently in the Journal of Applied Psychology, challenges previous ideas about how long the benefits of a holiday last. Analysing multiple studies on wellbeing and holiday time, Ryan S. Grant and team find that the overall picture is more complex than past research would have us believe; breaks, of course, do boost our wellbeing — but rather than always fading quickly, the longevity of these benefits depends on how long we're away and what we choose to do while off work.

This analysis combined data from 32 studies examining changes in wellbeing before, during, and after a holiday. Wellbeing was assessed across several categories, including psychological factors like stress, burnout, life and relationship satisfaction, and happiness, and psychosomatic factors like sleep quality, fatigue, and general somatic health complaints. Some studies focused on overall wellbeing rather than specific factors, so the researchers included broader health markers as well.

Crucially, the team also looked at how different holiday activities and experiences influence wellbeing. Key factors included whether participants mentally detached from work, how much they were able to relax, whether they learned new skills, and how in control they felt. Activities were classified as physical (such as exercise or sports), social (spending time with others), or passive (simply resting).

As expected, wellbeing did decline moderately after participants returned to work — but, importantly, it remained higher than before their holiday. While previous research has suggested that post-holiday benefits vanish quickly, this study found that wellbeing stayed elevated even 21 days after returning. The researchers estimate that the positive effects could, in fact, last up to 43 days.

Interestingly, holidays that combined time at home with time away had a greater positive impact on wellbeing than fully away-from-home trips. However, those who travelled saw a more gradual decline in their wellbeing over time. 
Longer holidays provided a bigger boost to wellbeing during the break. But there was a trade-off — those who took longer holidays also experienced a sharper decline in wellbeing once they returned and saw their wellbeing fade more quickly.

Not all holidays were equally beneficial: what people did during their break made a significant difference. The strongest wellbeing gains came from those who were able to mentally detach from work, followed by those who focused on relaxation. Interestingly, learning new skills had no meaningful effect on wellbeing, either during or after the holiday. When it came to activities, physical exercise had the most positive impact, followed by social activities. Passive activities had no significant effect either way.

So while the wellbeing effects of a holiday don't last forever, this study suggests they endure longer than we once thought. The biggest boost happens during the holiday itself, reinforcing the idea that stepping away from work meaningfully enhances wellbeing. And unlike previous research that suggested post-holiday benefits fade quickly, this study found a slower, more gradual decline. The findings also offer valuable insight into how different holiday experiences influence post-holiday wellbeing.

One potential avenue for further research is the period leading up to a holiday. The stress of finishing work before a break could actually lower wellbeing, the team notes, while the excitement of an upcoming trip might, conversely, provide an emotional lift. Similarly, the process of returning to work may play a crucial role in how long holiday benefits last. A heavy workload upon return could quickly undo any gains, while a gentler transition — such as easing back into work over a few days — might help maintain them.

The study also provides practical guidance for both employers and employees. The researchers suggest that employers should "provide employees with as much vacation time as feasible… and create an environment where there are no perceived penalties for taking time off." Employees, in turn, can maximise the benefits of their holiday by trying to fully disconnect from work and engaging in physical activity while off.

Read the paper in full:
Grant, R. S., Buchanan, B. E., & Shockley, K. M. (2025). I need a vacation: A meta-analysis of vacation and employee well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001262

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