I need to take a vacation! There might be more underlying this statement than most people realize. Recently, studies have shown that your health may depend on it.

The Conference Board, a private research firm, reports the number of Americans planning to vacation in the next six months is at a thirty year low. Their regular consumer survey indicates 39% of respondents were not considering a getaway next year either — the lowest figure since 1978. Public health consultants say this is a mistake.

Just when job insecurity and stress are at an all-time high, we could use a break. The Framingham Heart Study, an ambitious health research project, has been striving since 1948 to identify common risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease. Researchers of the project observed three generations of questionnaires filled out over a twenty year period. The data showed women who vacationed only once every six years or less were almost eight times more likely to develop coronary artery disease or have a heart attack.

There is a clear correlation between lifestyle and stress. A study published in 2000 involving 12,000 men over a nine year period had parallel findings. Men who did not vacation annually were 33% more likely to die of a heart attack and had a 21% risk of death from other causes. The facts also point to the effect vacations have on your mental health. Research scientists at the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin report the rate of depression increased as the frequency of vacations decreased.

So, there is true evidence that travel is necessary to a healthy well-being. The time is now to redefine our vacation planning strategy. Tighter budgets require that we consider all the options. In the not too distant past, the ambitious travel giant, MOR Vacations, made public a new product that makes family travel on a shoestring budget a reality. Getting vacation time approved may be the only hurdle.

Nearly 25% of Americans in the private business sector are not awarded paid vacation time. Moreover, 127 countries do mandate paid vacation time. However, the United States does not. Mr. John de Graaf, the editor of Take Back Your Time, is lobbying for Congress to pass an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act that would ensure three full weeks of paid vacation to workers who have been employed with their organization for at least one year. Even though this may be a tough sell to business, vacation time is more attractive than sick time because it is easier to anticipate.

It seems that economic progression is still on a downhill slide. Neutralizing the negative consequences is essential to our well-being. Earmarking funds for a leisurely and luxurious vacation is now urgent. After all, we are entitled.

A lifetime travel club membership could add up to be an excellent investment. Steer clear of timeshare scams which require annual maintenance fees and lengthy payment arrangements. Investigate options offering only an up-front fee and a membership that is fully-transferrable. Free unlimited guest travel and upgrade to VIP status for new members is even more valuable. A product like this will leverage your work-life balance and make the most of your travel budget.