We all have our idea of an ideal holiday. For some of us it’s lying on the beach for two weeks soaking up the sun, for others it’s backpacking through the Amazon. The important thing is that we actually take a holiday, a real holiday - completely leaving all responsibility and connection to our work lives behind us.

According to a study by Expedia.com, around one third of working Americans do not take all of their vacation time, leaving - on average - three days of holiday. Why, given that Americans are entitled to so few days of holiday in the first place, do they take so little?

The reason - for most of those surveyed - was a fear of what they would come back to if they were to take an extended break.

Of course, America is not the only country living in such fear. In the UK around 25% of working Britons do not take all of their holiday time. It should be pointed out that Britons are - on average - entitled to around 26 days of holiday compared to the measly 10-14 days that is standard in the United States.

Generally speaking, the residents of the United States are the worst culprits for not taking a holiday. Across the globe around 137 countries mandate paid holiday time off - the United States is not one of them. Not to mention that for all the people who do take vacation time off in the United States, only 39% will actually go on a holiday, whether domestic or abroad.

While we may all enjoy a holiday - it seems that very few of us understand just how important a vacation is for our health. ‘Recharging the batteries’ it seems is more than just a figure of speech but a chance to restore our health for another couple of months of slogging it out at the office.

A holiday not only keeps us from burnout, it can aid creativity and lower stress. Post-holiday, all of these things are essential for helping us achieve our best in our daily lives.

A vacation is also essential for developing relationships with family and friends. According to a study by the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services, women who took holidays were more satisfied with their marriages than those who didn’t.

For those with children a holiday also provides the chance to develop stronger relationships and a rare opportunity to truly enjoy those precious family moments.

Taking a holiday however is only the first step to truly relaxing and reaping in such benefits as ‘recharging the batteries’ and lowering stress levels. It’s important to leave work at work - unlike many people who often take work on holidays with them, check e-mails or check in with colleagues to make sure everything is okay.

Minimising any potential stress raisers is vital. Whether that means staying away from the laptop or taking out travel insurance to save yourself the worry of any holiday problems - the important thing is making sure there is absolutely nothing left for you to worry about.

So if you’re looking to lower stress levels and in turn improve your health, skip the gym, forget the diet and just take a much deserved holiday instead.

Jennifer Adams writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.