Just before Golden Week, we will scientifically criticize the way Japanese people take time off. How to actively take time off to improve your happiness | Business Insider Japan

Golden week is just around the corner. Thanks in part to unprecedented wage increases, especially at major companies, many readers are probably planning long-term leisure activities such as trips, camping, zoos, and aquariums that they would normally not be able to do.

On the other hand, there may be many people who “haven’t made plans yet.” That is truly a waste.

Set goals and be “active”and“Communicate with someone”The more you rest, the happier you will be. That’s the way to rest,positive impact on workIt is also known that it affects

In order to break away from the “Japanese people who are bad at taking time off,” let’s unravel the “literacy of how to take time off” that business people need based on past surveys and research.

Yuka Oshima:SOMPO Institute Plus Chief Researcher. He was in charge of product and service development at an insurance company, and then engaged in business planning and organizational reform at an overseas destination before assuming his current position. She is engaged in research related to the way individuals work and the way organizations exist. Master of Business Administration.

“There’s nothing to do on vacation” Japanese people

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in Japan53.3% of workers have something that causes them high stress at work or in their professional life.(2021).

Also, in a private survey,More than 70% of people feel that they don’t get much rest on holidays or outside of working hours.,Approximately 40% of people have had trouble deciding what to do on their days off because they had nothing to do.The result is also shown.

Although the data is a little old, there is a survey showing that around 30% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 say they spend their days off by sleeping around and doing nothing (2014 edition, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). white paper).

In Japan, although people feel anxious and stressed at work, there are very few people who take time off in a way that gives them satisfaction and relieves them.

Setting goals and actively resting are the keys to happiness

Many people feel that their mental and physical health and sense of well-being improve when they take a good vacation or rest. So, what kind of rest is the best way to improve your mental and physical health and happiness?

The point is“An active way to rest” where you plan what you want to do and execute it.It is to do.

It doesn’t matter if you spend your time alone, like watching movies or cleaning up, or you can spend time interacting with others, like having a conversation with a friend.

on the other hand,Passive ways of resting, such as lazing around, do not increase your sense of happiness as much as active ways of resting.It is said that

Associate professors at the London School of Economics conducted a survey in December 2020 of 537 public sector employees, asking them whether they set personal goals for their year-end holidays and their level of happiness. result,People who set vacation goals are 8% happier than those who don’tIt turns out that.

The difference in happiness level isThis was observed regardless of gender, age, occupation, income, marital status, frequency of working from home, and number of dependents.That’s what it means.

To increase your level of happiness, stop being alone and start interacting

I told her that if she wanted to actively rest, she could spend it alone.If you want to increase your sense of well-being, it’s important to “spend time interacting with others”is.

Past research has shown that how people spend their leisure time, such as “interacting with family and friends” and “conversing with others,”Reduces depression through subjective well-being (people’s subjective evaluation of life and sense of well-being)*1

Also,”People who have more connections with others are more likely to feel happy.There is also a survey result that says.

On the other hand, there are also some concerns.Compared to other countries, Japan has less time to rest, as well as fewer interactions with other people and society, and fewer friends and relatives to rely on in times of trouble.This has been made clear by surveys by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Better Living Index 2020 edition).

Considering this situation,It is even more desirable for Japanese people to take active measures to take time off, such as setting vacation goals, and to be able to interact with others during that time.it is conceivable that.

So, how can we take such a break? I will make the following suggestions.

*(1) Atsushi Kawakubo and Takashi Oguchi “The influence of interaction with others during leisure time on subjective well-being and depression” (Stress Science Research, 2015)

Accumulating “successful experiences” in how to take time off

First, as a first step to spending your vacation actively, make a list of the things you want to do.

The point is, like GW“Long break”Things you can do and things like Saturday and Sunday“short term”But what you can do, and“Complete on your own”What you can do and“Go meet people and work together.”Things that cannot be completed by yourself, such asDistinctionIt’s something to do.

However, the contents listed aboveDon’t think of it as a “to-do list”Well, please be careful. I want to keep in mind that this work is just a way to actively enjoy and spend time off.

Next, from the things you have listed,What can be done currentlyLet’s start with. Many people can take long holidays during Golden Week, but some may not be able to take breaks depending on their job. Some people may not have enough time due to various reasons such as housework, childcare, nursing care, and medical treatment.

Such a person isWhat can be done in a short period of timeLet’s start with.How I tend to laze around during my normal off-hoursconsciously relaxand then work etc.Try rounding up your time a little earlier and spend the extra time off doing things you have decided on.This is how it goes.

Even if you start for a short time,Small success experiences and sense of accomplishment when taking time offBy accumulating this experience, and by coordinating with those around you and making creative efforts, you can say things like, “I think I’ll be able to take a day off this time,” or “Next time, I’d like to take a day off from something like this.”Expand the range and duration of your vacationWe can expect that.

Also, although I mentioned that it would be desirable to be able to “interact with others” during active rest, there may be times when you would like to do things alone. In such cases, there is no need to force yourself to do it together with others.

There are many cases where people go out alone to do something they want to do. At that time, try having a casual conversation with the store clerk or the person next to you. Even things like greeting someone walking their dog or having a casual conversation with a store employee can increase your sense of well-being.*2 The interactions with others that naturally occur while doing what you want to do can also be effective.

*(2) “Habit of not worrying: 61 tips to eliminate unnecessary stress” (Author: Yoshito Naito / 2022)

Active rest increases job satisfaction

It has also been pointed out that taking an active way to rest has an effect on work.

According to the aforementioned London School of Economics research,People who set vacation goals took an average of 1.2 days longer on vacation than those who didn’t set vacation goals.was being obtained. It is conceivable that clarifying what you want to do during your time off may encourage you to take time off.

According to the same survey,Employees who set vacation goals before taking vacation are 5% more satisfied with their jobs than those who don’t.It has become clear that.

Take a break from work and relax completelyBy this,When you return to work, you can approach your work with a fresh mindset and feel its significance.This effect has also been pointed out.

In the future, Japan will become a society where more and more people live longer lives and spend a long period of their lives working. Taking a good break and feeling happy is important both for your overall life and for working better.

As a business person, you are required to acquire “literacy on how to take time off”.