A new study supports the benefits of a four-day work week

BOSTON – Hoping to get a four-day work week? A new study supports the benefits of having one.

Over a period of 13 months, researchers from the University of South Australia found that people on vacation engaged in 13% more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, were 5% less sedentary, and slept an average of 21 minutes more per day than people who were not on vacation.

They say these healthier holiday behaviors promote better physical and mental health and support a growing movement for a four-day work week.

They argue that a three-day weekend would promote better work-life balance, better mental health, less stress, less burnout, and better long-term productivity.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and physician who served as a HealthWatch reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. Board-certified medical practitioner in internal medicine and pediatrics, Dr. Marshall is on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and MGH Revere Health Center, where she currently works on primary care. for patients with COVID-19. She is also a moderator and editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.