The Physical and Mental Impact of “Workation” in Hot Spring Resorts

<p>【Introduction】</p><p>The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical and mental impact of “workation” at a hot spring resort. “Workation” is a work style to work while enjoying the leisure time with coworkers at a resort or a sightseeing region and we call “workation” at a hot spring resort “Onsen workation” as follows.</p><p>【Methods】</p><p>In total, 133 healthy adults (Mean Age 38.7 year, SD = 10.8) who work in a company and so on where remote work has been introduced were enrolled in this study. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Participants were divided into two groups; in Group I, subjects spend time freely at a hot spring resort for 2 nights and 3 days (N=104), which is called non-intervention group as follows, and in Group II, subjects spend time at a hot spring resort for 3 nights and 4 days while being provided health related activities such as bathing, exercise, diet, relaxation, and so on (N=29), which is called intervention group as follows. The hot spring resorts where “Onsen workation” was performed were the total of 25 places across the country. In principle, the grouping should have been carried out by the company unit. Peripheral blood circulation, autonomic nerve function, amylase activity in saliva, walking ability and flexibility, self-estimation for health-related 12 items, condition of feeling and mind (POMS2, short version), and scale for gastrointestinal symptoms (GSRS) were measured before and after the stay.</p><p>【Results】</p><p>Either in non-intervention group and intervention group, amylase activity in saliva, walking ability and flexibility, self-estimation for health-related items, condition of feeling and mind (8 subscales), and scale for gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly improved. Peripheral blood circulation was improved and autonomic nerve function (sympathetic nerve and parasympathetic nerve) was activated significantly in intervention group.</p><p>【Conclusion】</p><p>This study shows that “Onsen workation” may provide various health effects on body and mind and performing health related activities during the stay may increase the effects. We expect that our contribution to the investigation regarding work style or health promotion using hot spring resorts will lead to the benefits for workers, companies and hot spring resorts.</p>