Okay, so we're not exactly reinventing the wheel here or telling you something you probably don't know. But even with the vacation season in full swing, it looks like many American men are opting to skip time off altogether.

Compared to many international workplaces, Americans get far fewer vacation days per year, and they are far less likely to actually use them, according to a new article on Forbes.com. And that could be hurting men's health:

"Stress produces physiological changes in our bodies, including higher blood pressure and a surge in stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which can cause blood to clot and increase the risk of a heart attack. By working all of the time, you're constantly subjecting your body to these responses, says Dr. Harvey Simon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and founding editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch."

The article goes on to state that men at risk to heart disease who regularly take time off each year have a lower risk of death than those that don't. It also offers tips on how to make your vacation as stress-free as possible.

So the next time your boss gives you a hard time about requesting days off, tell him your life just may depend on it.

(Check out the MenScience article Health & the Modern Traveler for even more healthy ways to trot the globe).

DG

Labels: heart health, men's health, stress, summer skin care